All these are part of the measure planned in the post-COVID lockdown phase for air travelers. On Friday, India’s Airports Authority took to Twitter saying that AAI had released some steps with the possibility of resuming domestic flights soon, which passengers must follow to be ready for travel.
Also, the post-COVID lockdown air travel opening would see passengers not having to have their boarding cards stamped by the Central Industrial Security Force, which cares for security at airports across the country. A passenger will also be allowed to bring up to 350 ml of liquid hand sanitizer.
An air traveler will be expected to download the Arogya Setu App compulsorily, wear a mask and other safety equipment, do web check-in and bring a boarding card printout, maintain a four-foot physical distance from a co-passenger, and wash and sanitize his hands regularly to take a flight.
All these are part of the measure planned in the post-COVID lockdown phase for air travelers. On Friday, India’s Airports Authority took to Twitter saying that AAI had released some steps with the possibility of resuming domestic flights soon, which passengers must follow to be ready for travel.
Also, the post-COVID lockdown air travel opening would see passengers not having to have their boarding cards stamped by the Central Industrial Security Force, which cares for security at airports across the country. A passenger will also be allowed to bring up to 350 ml of liquid hand sanitizers.
Also Read: All About Coronavirus – Complete Details of COVID-19 2020
The Ministry of Health has provided new guidelines for inter-state travel and international arrivals:
- The Ministry of Civil Aviation held a meeting on Sunday evening with airlines and airports to finalize routes that could be opened from Monday, amid growing uncertainty about the number of flights allowed at specific airports and health protocols to be followed by passengers in each State.
- With all domestic (air/rail / inter-state bus) traveling to resume from Monday, the Ministry of Health has released new guidelines for inter-state travel and foreign arrivals, stating that only COVID-asymptomatic domestic passengers / foreign arrivals will be permitted with advice that they should track their safety for 14 days on their own.
Logging to the airport from your point of origin:
- Let’s take a look at some things you need to bear in mind when commuting to the airport from your home/hotel/office.
- Install stickers and identification numbers on your luggage. Print the same thing out and attach it to your luggage.
- Remember you can currently only carry one handbag and one check-in luggage. But shortly, more freedom can probably be offered in this regard.
- When entering the airport terminal, you must wear all protective equipment sections, such as masks and gloves. Do not open your face masks during the voyage at any time.
- Report to the airport at least two hours before your flight is scheduled to depart. Check-in and boarding can take longer due to the additional guidelines.
- Individuals who stay in containment zones or test positive for the virus are currently forbidden to travel on domestic flights. Boarding a flight by defying either of these rules can result in severe punishment.
- To certify themselves fit to travel; all passengers must send a self-declaration form regarding their health along with their Arogya Setu App health data.
- Now that you get to the airport by following India’s travel restrictions, you need to proceed to the terminal building. Doing this needs more guidelines to be followed.
Reaching Terminal Guidelines
- Step off the vehicle while wearing protective equipment, and make sure you have all the documentation you need on your computer.
- Reach the thermal screening area near the entrance gate and be subject to temperature tests. At this time, you will also need to show your health status through the Arogya Setu App.
- Next, move to the CISF kiosk and display your ID and boarding pass for entry into the terminal.
- After check-in of your baggage, you will receive an SMS confirmation regarding your bag receipt. This assurance is usually given on paper to travelers.
Guidelines for Airport Screening Procedures
- Before embarking on the flight, each airport will include security screening facilities. All orders would need to be followed in an orderly manner.
- There is no need to fear because security personnel must follow a contactless protocol even when carrying out physical checks on a passenger.
Airplane Boarding Guidelines
- Then you are finally able to board your flight after these steps. Even so, make sure you follow the following precautions:
- The face masks, face shields, and sanitizers have to be obtained from the boarding doors. Wear the mask and shield, and thoroughly sanitize your hands before embarking on the trip.
- Passengers will auto-scan their boarding pass to limit contact with members of the airport personnel.
- You and other passengers must board the aircraft in an orderly manner, thus restricting the procedure to any commotion.
Guidelines for Following Flight Departure
- Even when the flight has taken off, you should keep to the safety guidelines. In such a case, here are several ways in which you can protect yourself from the virus.
- Evite as many face-to-face encounters as possible.
- Restrict washroom use and remain seated for as much of the flight as possible.
- Initially, airlines do not deliver any meals when on domestic flights. You’ll get bottles of water, however.
- Food is not permitted on flights.
De-boarding Instructions
Once the flight reaches the destination, passengers will be required to de-board in the same way they boarded. Ensure that during this stage of the journey, you still uphold socially distancing standards and proper sanitation. Just use trolleys when necessary as these can hold germs left behind by their last users.
Coronavirus’ has created; significant impacts on domestic ticket prices. The Civil Aviation Directorate-General or DGCA has asked airlines to leave the middle seat vacant in each row, to maintain social distance between passengers on board a flight. It has resulted in a dramatic reduction in the number of passengers which any domestic flight can accommodate.
Also, the price of jet fuel rose to Rs.33,575 per kilo-liter in June. Thus, the increased costs of running these flights, along with a small number of passengers, would most likely result in a drastic increase in the price of flight tickets. But tickets for domestic flights are affordable enough for the time being.
The ones considered symptomatic should be isolated for both domestic and foreign travel and taken to the nearest health facility. At the health facility, they will be tested for clinical seriousness and notified according to the procedure. The Ministry has, however, also instructed States / UTs to establish its quarantine and isolation protocol according to their assessment.
The guideline notes that they must provide an undertaking for foreign travelers to undergo compulsory quarantine for 14 days, including seven days of paid institutional quarantine at their own expense, accompanied by seven days of home isolation with self-monitoring of safety.
However, for exceptional and compelling reasons — human distress, pregnancy, family death, severe illness, and parent(s) accompanied by children under the age of 10, as assessed by the receiving States, home quarantine may be permitted for 14 days with the mandatory use of the Arogya Setu application.
The Ministry has added that only asymptomatic travelers can board or travel across land borders.
For domestic travel the relevant agencies will provide instructions along with tickets, the Ministry said, adding that all passengers should download the Arogya Setu app. It was added that all passengers must use face-covers / mask during boarding and flight. They will also be following up on hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, and environmental hygiene.
