AMID a surge in positive cases, India's aviation regulator on Tuesday (30) told airports to increase surveillance to ensure Covid-19 protocols are followed by the passengers and if needed levy fines for violations.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked the airports and airlines to ensure that passengers wear mask and maintain social distancing at all times during travel, and directed to take action against those who violate the norms.
"During the surveillance of some airports, it has come to notice that compliance (of Covid-19 protocols) is not satisfactory," DGCA said in a statement on Tuesday (30).
"All airport operators, therefore, are requested to ensure that the instructions on Covid-19 protocol from the standpoint of wearing face mask properly, covering nose and mouth, as well as maintaining social distance norms within the airport premises are followed scrupulously," it said.
The airport authorities have also been told to levy spot fines if a passenger violates Covid-19 guidelines.
"The possibility of taking punitive action, such as levy of spot fines in accordance with the law, shall also be explored with local police authorities so as to serve a deterrent for violation of Covid-19 protocol," the statement said.
In the earlier March 13 circular, DGCA had asked the airlines to de-board the passengers who refused to adhere to COVID-19 norms even after repeated warnings, and consider treating them as "unruly".
An "unruly" passenger can be banned from flying by an airline for any period between three and 24 months, as per DGCA norms. So far, nearly all domestic airlines have de-boarded passengers.
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