DGCA issues guidelines on social distancing to prevent spread of Covid-19

Aviation regulator DGCA on Monday came out with a slew of measures for airlines and airports on social distancing, which include ensuring adequate space between passengers and check-in counters and leaving one seat vacant between two passengers, among others.

Besides maintaining adequate spacing at check-in counters between passengers (minimum one metre) and also between individual counters, airlines also have to ensure availability of adequate staff for guiding the passengers at check-in counters and during security checks, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated in its circular to all scheduled airlines in the country and airport operators.

Airlines have also been asked to ensure that boarding is done in a manner to avoid bunching of passengers at any time and also ensure adequate spacing between passengers in boarding lines.

According to the circular, the seat allocation at the time of check-in to should done to in a manner to ensure that the seat between two passengers is kept empty and the cabin crew has to maintain adequate distance while serving the passengers.

At the same time, airport operators have been advised to ensure adequate check-in and security counters to avoid congestion and also sufficient staff at these places to guide passengers to avoid bunching.

The airport operators have also to ensure sanitizers are provided at all prominent locations and carry out repeated public address announcements to sansitize passengers and airport staff, it said.

To maintain international commercial links, Centre has kept the freighter operations free from any restrictions.

According to the aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), there are no restrictions imposed on domestic and foreign air operators for carrying out cargo operations.

"Currently, there are no restrictions imposed on domestic or foreign air operators for carrying out cargo operations at any airport in India. All stakeholders kindly note," the DGCA tweeted on Monday.

However, all international passenger flights have been prohibited to land in India from Sunday till a week's time to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, national capital's IGI Airport remains functional despite massive lockdown measures being implemented by the authorities across the country. Accordingly, Domestic flights to and from the IGI, Delhi continued to operate.

Here's what the DGCA cricular said: 

1. Ensure adequate sparing at check-in counters between passengers (minimum one meter) and also between each individual counters.

2. Ensure availability of adequate staff for guiding the passengers at check-in counters and during security checks.

3. Passengers to be advised to sit at adequate distance in waiting area, keeping one seat vacant.

4. Ensure that boarding is done in a manner to avoid bunching of passengers at any time and also ensure adequate spacing between passengers in boarding lines.

5. Provide sanitizers for staff and passengers at the entry of the aircraft.

6. Cabin crew to maintain adequate distance while serving the passengers.

7. Seat allocation at the time of check-in to be done to in a manner to ensure that the seat between two passengers is kept empty.

8. Any other action as deemed appropriate to ensure social distancing is maintained.