Changed Reporting Time, Vacant Seats, Masks and Gloves: CISF Drafts New Rules for Fliers and Airlines

New Delhi: In order to make sure passengers are safe, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has suggested new rules to be followed at airports after the Covid-19 lockdown is lifted and domestic air services resume.

Passengers will now have to report two hours before the scheduled flight. They will also be required to carry necessary protective gear, including masks and gloves, and all entry and exit gates will have sanitiser bottles.

Furthermore, all commercial flights are expected to keep a seat vacant between every two people.

The CISF has submitted a plan, which comprises such proposals, to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA). Currently, the plan is under consideration.

CISF Special Director (Airport) GA Ganapathy was quoted by news agency ANI as saying, “We have proposed a new plan incorporating necessary precaution in view of the change of circumstances due to Covid-19. This has been sent to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) for consideration.”

The security force has also advised all the flight operators to procure details of home/self-quarantine history from the travellers.

If any passenger is travelling following a quarantine, CISF will screen them in isolation checking point.

Check-in counter should be opened in such a way that there must be a gap between two counters. Social distancing markers should be indicated.

Flight crew may offer sanitiser to each passenger when they occupy their respective seats.

The plan states that airlines should prepare a questionnaire for the passengers so that anyone who has undergone home/hospital quarantine in the last one month should declare the same.

Provision for sale of masks and gloves needs to be made inside the airport.

Airport operator may detail a dedicated staff with thermometer at all entry and exit points of the airport.

All airport operators need to explore feasibility of placing sanitising tunnels before entry.

Commercial flight operations in India were suspended from 25 March due to the Covid-19 outbreak. The government is yet to confirm when operations may resume.