People Living In Containment Zones Not Allowed To Travel By Flights: Civil Aviation Ministry

As domestic flight services resume on May 25 with one-third of capacity, it will not allow people staying in containment zones to board a flight as they will not be eligible for travel.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Thursday came up with a detailed guideline for the airlines and passengers, where it said passengers would have to certify their status in terms of coronavirus infection through the Aarogya Setu app or a self-declaration form.

"The passenger shall not travel if he/she is staying in a containment zone. Also, they should not travel if they have been tested positive for COVID-l9. The passengers are expected to certify the status of their health through the Aarogya Setu app or a self-declaration form," it said.

If a passenger, who is not permitted to fly, undertakes an air journey, he or she shall be liable for penal action, as per the guidelines.

Further, passengers will have to wear protective gear, or a face mask before entering the terminal as per the prevailing requirement and he/she will continue to wear the mask throughout the journey.

During transit to airport, the passenger should take all precautions to prevent infection.

In the initial stage passenger would be entitled to carry maximum of one hand baggage and one checked-in baggage as per the specifications by the airline of his travel.

The ministry also said that limited passenger flight operations of about one-third of capacity would be permitted to operate on May 25.

In a general set of guidelines for passengers and stakeholders issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Centre said, "On the day of commencement, limited operations (about 1/3rd) would be permitted."

The guidelines comes a day after Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday said, "Domestic civil aviation operations will recommence in a calibrated manner from Monday, 25th May 2020."

(With inputs from IANS)