Is 14-day quarantine compulsory after domestic air travel?
By Newsmeter Network Published on 23 May 2020 6:46 AM GMTHyderabad: In a major policy shift, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that 14 days quarantine is not compulsory for domestic air passengers.
“The quarantine issue will be dealt with pragmatically. We can't have 14 days' quarantine. It is not practical,” the minister said on Friday.
He later clarified that since people who test positive will not be allowed to board the flight, imposing a quarantine on domestic air travelers would not be practical.
“Passengers will have to fill a self-declaration form or download Aarogya Setu to verify their health status before boarding the flight,” the minister said.
Measures like keeping the middle seat vacant will also be followed in the flights to maintain social distancing.
Meanwhile, the Director General of Police, Karnataka has stated that all passengers going to Karnataka via domestic flights from six states such as Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Delhi, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh will be required to undergo a 7-day “institutional quarantine” which will be followed by home quarantine.
The general instructions developed by the aviation ministry for air travel of passengers and major stakeholders are as follows:
Do’s
1. Airlines should adhere to the lower and upper limit of the fare prescribed by the ministry during the period of Covid-19 pandemic.
2. Only passengers who have confirmed web-checkin will be allowed to enter the airport.
3. On the day of commencement, only about 1/3rd of operations will be permitted
4. Passengers should report at least two hours before the departure time
5. Only one check-in baggage will be allowed.
6. Passengers will be requested to wear face mask.
7. A self declaration that the traveller is free of Covid-19 will also be obtained from the passengers.
8. The cabin crew are requested to be in full protective suit.
Dont’s
1. The airline shall not provide meal services on board.
2. Elderly passengers, pregnant women, passengers with health issues are advised to avoid air travel.
3. No physical check-in at airport counters would be done
4. No newspaper or magazine shall be provided onboard by the airlines