The threat of Coronavirus and in new variants not having been over though the overall position having vastly improved with no “wave” anywhere in the country though, of late, sporadic instances from different parts of the country reporting about fresh cases of infections are increasing in number, it becomes extremely important to wear masks where close contact cannot be avoided. Travelling by air , therefore , enjoins upon every passenger to wear and keep wearing a mask during the entire time of the flight right from boarding to de-boarding the aircraft. A communiqué from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been issued after getting inputs that many ”unruly” passengers refuse to wear a mask or take it off once the aircraft was airborne, directing the staff that such passengers despite being requested and even warned must be de-boarded and if in a flight mid-air, a passenger refuses to follow COVID safety protocol, must be classified as unruly passenger and debarred from flying for a certain period of time.
We feel that following the safety protocol is in the interests of every passenger in the aircraft and there should be no reason or any hesitation in wearing a mask during the entire process of flying . Defying such safety rules must be met with strict response like debarring such passengers for a few months from flying. Pertinent to mention that Delhi High Court has already issued an order to this effect directing the DGCA to pass on guidelines in this regard to all the members on the staff of Civil Aviation working on the ground.
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