Airlines asked to enforce Covid protocol, including mask mandate; to take action against flyers not complying

New Delhi: As Covid-19 cases start to rise again, aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked airlines to keep a check on mask violators. Airlines have been advised to ensure that passengers are wearing face masks properly throughout the journey and ensure proper sensitisation of the passengers through various platforms, the regulator said.

Stating that surprise inspections are to be carried out at airports and on airlines and passengers, the DGCA added that the airline can take “strict action” against the passenger not complying.

"Yes, it is getting serious and in view of this, we have reiterated our instructions to the stakeholders



yesterday. We will follow it up with random checks," DGCA chief Arun Kumar said in a statement.

The aviation regulator has also asked airport operators to seek local police and security agencies' help and levy fines on people not wearing face masks.

India on Wednesday recorded 9,062 fresh Covid-19 infections that took its tally to 4,42,86,256, while the number of active cases came down to 1,05,058, according to Union health ministry data.

Pointing to a circular issued in June, the aviation regulator said there should be strict compliance. As per the order issued in June, passengers were allowed to take off their masks under exceptional circumstances and for permitted reasons.