Consider imposing fines on passengers not wearing masks ‘correctly’: DGCA to airports
Aviation regulator DGCA on Tuesday instructed airports to contemplate imposing spot fines, with the assistance of police authorities, on passengers who’re discovered not wearing masks correctly and not sustaining social distancing as per the COVID-19 guidelines. On March 13, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had requested airports and airways to be sure that passengers put on masks and preserve social distance always throughout air journey, and take motion in opposition to these violating the norms.
In a round issued on Tuesday, the regulator mentioned, “During the surveillance of some airports, it has come to notice that compliance (of COVID-19 protocols) is not satisfactory.”
“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 mentioned.
Accordingly, all airport operators can enhance surveillance on this regard, the DGCA mentioned.
“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,” it acknowledged.
The March 13 round had requested the airport operators to hand over the passengers, who’re not following the COVID-19 protocol even after repeated warnings, to the safety companies.
Moreover, it had requested the airways to de-board the passengers who refused to adhere to COVID-19 norms even after repeated warnings and contemplate banning them from flying for not less than three months.
Fifteen passengers, who have been discovered violating COVID-19 norms on home flights of three airways between March 15 and March 23, is perhaps banned for 3 months by the carriers, senior officers of the DGCA had mentioned final week.
(With PTI inputs)
