Passengers not wearing masks properly will be de-boarded: DGCA
The DGCA informed the Delhi High Court on Wednesday that action is being taken against passengers not wearing masks properly despite repeated warnings and they will be de-boarded from planes before departure and treated as unruly passengers. The High Court expressed satisfaction over the steps being taken by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Court expressed hope that authorities will continue to take action
The HC said it hoped that the action would continue in the same spirit considering the safety of passengers from COVID-19 infection. A bench of Justices Navin Chawla and C Hari Shankar observed that the court was initially planning to keep the suo motu case open to continue monitoring the implementation of directions issued by the court earlier.
Initiation of punitive action against violators a welcome step: HC
"However, after noticing the proactive action by the DGCA, the court decided to close the case and observed that initiation of punitive action against the violators is a welcome step," the bench said. Justice Shankar had on March 8 taken suo motu cognizance of the situation after witnessing passengers not wearing masks properly during transportation and their stubborn reluctance to wear masks properly.
Judge had witnessed the alarming situation on a flight
The court, which had issued various guidelines to DGCA for immediate compliance, said it was constrained to pass the order because of an alarming situation that was witnessed by the judge himself during an Air India flight from Kolkata to New Delhi on March 5.
DGCA issued strict guidelines after HC directions
DGCA, represented through Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma and advocate Anjana Gosain, informed the court that following its directions, it issued a circular on March 13 relating to strict guidelines to be followed at airports. Advocate Gosain informed the court that in a Jammu to Delhi flight, four passengers were declared unruly for not properly wearing masks and were handed over to security officials.
Masks should not be moved below the nose
"The DGCA has also said that passengers shall wear masks and maintain social distancing at all times during air travel. The mask shall not be moved below the nose except under exceptional circumstances," the bench said. "CISF or other police personnel deployed at the airport's entrance shall ensure that no one is allowed to enter the airport without wearing a mask," it said.
Follow protocol or face action
The circular said that the Airport Director/ Terminal Manager, as applicable, must ensure that passengers are wearing masks properly and are maintaining social distance at all times within the airport premises. "In case any passenger is not following COVID-19 protocol, they should be handed over to security agencies after proper warning. If required, they may be dealt with as per law," it said.
