Covid Rules For Air Travel Eased: No PPE Kit For Cabin Crew, Pat-Down Search Restarted

Air Travels on COVID-19: The ministry's latest decision is to facilitate "smooth conduct of air operations", the ministry's order, dated March 21, stated.

Air India flight (File photo: getty)

New Delhi: In view of the continuing decline in the cases of COVID-19, the government has relaxed COVID-19 regulations related to air travel on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation stated that cabin crew members need not wear PPE kits, airlines need not save three seats empty on international flights for medical emergencies and security staff at air terminals can continue the search of travelers.

The ministry's latest decision is to facilitate "smooth conduct of air operations", the ministry's order, dated March 21, stated.

The aviation market in India is as of now recuperating after the Omicron variant suppressed the demand in January. Around 76.96 lakh homegrown travelers went via air in February, roughly 20% more than in January.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), in its order, said that the limitation of saving three seats empty on worldwide trips for dealing with health-related crises connected with COVID-19 stands eliminated.

"Airlines may carry a few additional PPE protective gears, sanitiser and N-95 masks, to handle any respiratory infections related to cases on air, for passengers as well as the crew," the MoCA noted.

It said it had permitted full homegrown flight activities from October 18, 2021, and has now chosen to recommence booked international flight operations from March 27, 2022, "in view of the declining COVID-19 cases, high level of vaccinations and prevailing COVID-19 situation".

The necessity of a complete PPE unit for the team part stands eliminated, the MoCA expressed.

"However, use of face mask and maintenance of hand hygiene/sanitiser continue to be mandatory," it added.

The search by security workforce at air terminals is once again introduced, wherever required, according to directions of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, the MoCA noted.

"During the process, the security personnel must wear N-95 mask and sanitise hands after each pat-down search, besides following regular COVID-19 protocols," it mentioned.

India reported a single-day ascent of 1,581 new COVID-19 cases, taking the disease count to 4,30,10,971, while the active cases additionally declined to 23,913, the Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

The loss of life has moved to 5,16,543, with 33 everyday fatalities, the ministry data updated at 8 am stated.

(With PTI inputs)