Tribune News Service
New Delhi, March 30
Amid the Covid-19 surge, civil aviation regulator DGCA has asked authorities at airports across the country to enhance surveillance and explore the possibility of imposing "spot fines" on those found violating safety norms.
While issuing an advisory to the airports, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) noted that compliance with the Covid-safety protocol was "not satisfactory".
The airports could levy "spot fines" in accordance with law with the help of local police and authorities, it suggested. Such fines, it is believed, would serve as a deterrent for violation of Covid-19 protocol at the airports, said an official.
"Advisory issued to all airports... People must wear masks (covering nose and mouth) and maintain social distance. We are moving in direction of punitive action by police against passengers who don't comply," tweeted Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
The airports have already been given a set of strict standard operating procedures as part of measures to be taken to contain the spread of the virus in view of India staring at a second wave.
As per earlier guidelines, violators could be handed over to airport security if they flouted norms. Besides, airlines have also been given instructions of taking action against "unruly" passengers by placing them in the "no fly" list.
Approves 18,843 flights per week
The DGCA on Tuesday approved 18,843 flights per week from 108 airports for the summer schedule, including on 22 new routes under UDAN scheme. The flights have been approved considering airlines are permitted to operate at not more than 80 per cent of their pre-Covid capacity.
from The Tribune https://ift.tt/2PJx3fa
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