'Spot Fines' may be imposed at Airports for Violation of Covid-19 Rules: DGCA

NEW DELHI: In an effort to keep a check on those violating the COVID-19 protocols, the country's civil aviation regulator in a circular issued on Tuesday urged airports to impose fine on those flouting the rules on the spot.

This comes amid the surging cases of Covid-19 in several states of India. The circular mentioned that those violating the rule will be fined on the spot at airports with the help of police authorities, on passengers who are not wearing masks properly and maintaining social distance as per the COVID-19 rules.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation, or DGCA, said the compliance of Covid protocols is unsatisfactory at some airports. Hence it has urged the airlines to ensure that the rules such as wearing of mask and maintaining social distancing at airports are followed diligently.

The regulator stated, "During the surveillance of some airports, it has come to notice that compliance (of COVID-19 protocols) is not satisfactory."

"All airport operators, therefore, are requested to ensure that the instructions on COVID-19 protocol from the standpoint of wearing face mask properly, covering nose and mouth, as well as maintaining social distance norms within the airport premises are followed scrupulously," it said.

Accordingly, all airport operators can increase surveillance in this regard, the DGCA said.

"The possibility of taking punitive action, such as levy of spot fines in accordance with the law, shall also be explored with the local police authorities so as to serve a deterrent for violation of COVID-19 protocol," it stated.

Earlier, on March 13 the DGCA has asked the airlines to de-board passengers who do not comply with the Covid-19 protocols and did not wear masks "properly" despite repeated warnings, and take action against them as per rules.

Accordingly, as per reports, 15 passengers, who were found violating COVID-19 norms on domestic flights of three airlines between March 15 and 23, may be banned for three months by the airlines, DGCA said.

While domestic flight frequencies are back to pre-pandemic levels, international fligths continue to face restrictions announced last March.

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