DGCA asks airlines to strictly enforce COVID protocol as cases rise

A PTI report stated that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation DGCA asked all Indian carriers to strictly enforce the COVID 19 protocol, including mask mandate for passengers, in aircraft, as well as a rise in infections across the country.

The DGCA said in an official statement that they will be conducting random checks in aircraft across the country to see if the COVID 19 protocol is being enforced or not.

It mentioned that airlines have to make sure that passengers are wearing face masks properly throughout the journey and there is proper sensitisation of passengers through various platforms.

It added that if a passenger doesn't comply with the directions, strict action will be taken by airlines against the passenger.

In view of the rise in COVID 19 cases, the airlines were advised on August 16 to strictly comply with the COVID 19 protocol inside the aircraft, according to the statement.

According to the Union Health Ministry data, India recorded 9,062 fresh COVID 19 infections that took its total to 4,42, 86,256, while the number of active cases fell to 1,05, 058.

There were 1,652 new Covid cases and eight more deaths in Delhi. The positivity rate fell to 9.92 per cent. Maharashtra recorded 1,800 fresh coronaviruses cases, more than half of them coming from Mumbai and a steep jump from 836 a day ago, while six more patients succumbed to the disease in the state, according to another PTI report.