As COVID Cases Rise, DGCA Makes Masks Mandatory Inside Aircraft

New Delhi: With daily COVID-19 cases in the country still quite high, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Wednesday made it mandatory for passengers to follow protocols and have their masks on all the time inside the aircraft.

The country’s aviation regulator has directed all Indian airline companies to strictly enforce COVID-appropriate protocol and ensure that passengers wear their masks properly, with action against those to fail to comply with rules.

The airlines have also been asked to ensure proper sensitisation of passengers through various platforms.

Surprise inspections and checks will be carried out at airports and inside planes, DGCA stated.

India reported over 9,000 new coronavirus infections and 36 deaths on Wednesday.

The active caseload is currently 1,05,058, while the overall death toll is 527,134, according Union Health ministry data.

NITI Aayog member (health) Dr VK Paul reminded the country today that COVID-19 is still alive and people need to stay alert and take the precaution (booster) dose.

“We can’t predict changes in the number of cases, so we need to stay alert and get the precaution dose. CorbeVax vaccine can now also be inoculated along with Covaxin and Covishield,” ANI quoted Dr Paul as saying.