Civil aviation ministry to stagger flights from affected areas

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has decided to instruct the airport authorities to stagger the arrival of fights from COVID-19 affected areas so that the flow of passengers is maintained for the screening of passengers.

From the dedicated aerobridges the passengers will arrive, escorted by airline staff to the health centres for initial thermal screening, where symptomatic passengers would be isolated and moved to designated hospital.

After screening, the remaining asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to move to the designated immigration counters with passports and a copy of the self-reporting form. Airline staff in the aircraft and at ground will ensure that arriving passengers have filled the forms properly. The passports of the passengers will be retained by immigration officials.

The passengers will be then handed over in batches of 30 to the escort team, led by a CISF officer. The passengers are then taken to the baggage area. Later they will be taken to a medical officer where they will be screened. Those without any risk factors would be sent for home quarantine after giving them the passports. The high risk passengers identified for quarantine would be first asked to fill up a declaration opting for paid hotel facility or government quarantine facility. They will then be quarantined as per the guidelines.