According to the latest guidelines, passengers who refuse to wear the masks correctly before takeoff will be removed from the plane.
Whereas, passengers who do not wear the mask according to “Covid-19 protocols”, which essentially involve wearing masks correctly, not under the nose, despite repeated warnings, will be treated as ‘rebels’.
The DGCA has directed airlines, airport operators and CISF to ensure that passengers wear masks and uphold the rules of social distancing at all times during air travel and also at all times within the airport.
“In case any passenger is not following the Covid-19 protocol (which includes not wearing masks correctly or not following the rules of social distancing), they must be handed over to the security agencies after the appropriate warnings. If necessary, they can be treated in accordance with the law, ”said the aviation regulator.
The order was issued to all airlines, airport operators and security agencies to ensure “strict compliance with the Covid-19 protocol during air travel.”
Furthermore, once classified as a rebel, a passenger may be banned from flying anywhere for life, depending on the severity of his or her violation of safety regulations.
The regulator says that some air travelers do not adhere to Covid protocols, which essentially involve wearing the mask correctly, not under the nose and for the entire journey, from entering the airport for departure until they leave the airport after. the arrival.
“… Some passengers after entering the airport do not wear the mask properly and do not maintain social distance while they are in the airport facilities. In the same way, it has been observed that some passengers do not wear their masks correctly while on board the plane ”, says the order.
“The mask will not move under the nose except in exceptional circumstances. The CISF or other police personnel deployed at the airport entrance will ensure that no one can enter the airport without wearing a mask, ”says the DGCA order.
Noting that some passengers after entering the airport do not wear their mask correctly and maintain social distance while at the airport, the regulator said that some passengers have noticed that they do not wear their masks correctly while on board the aircraft.
“On board the aircraft, in case any passenger does not adhere to the use of a mask correctly even after repeated warnings, they must be disembarked, if necessary, before departure,” the circular said.
“In the event that any passenger on board an aircraft refuses to wear a mask or violates the Covid-19 protocol for passengers even after repeated warnings, during the course of the flight, said passenger may be treated as a ‘rogue passenger’ .. . and the procedure in the airline in question must respect the handling of said rebellious passenger. All interested parties must ensure compliance with the above instructions with immediate effect. Strict measures will be taken in case of any infraction, “added the order.
The DGCA order comes after a higher court judge recently observed a flagrant violation of Covid rules by passengers on a domestic flight and ordered the DGCA to issue orders for strict compliance with the rules of pandemic weather on the part of all travelers.
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