The Ministry of Civil Aviation, in its guidelines for flights resuming on May 25, has restricted certain passengers from flying. Every passenger has to fill a declaration form in which he or she has to inform the airport authorities about his/her health and residence status. The incorrect declaration can lead to penal action.
Here’s a list of who can fly and who cannot - :
A resident of a containment area:
Residents of a locality declared as a containment area have not been allowed to travel irrespective of their COVID-19 test results. This is because a lot of cases are asymptomatic and any resident of a containment area can be a silent carrier of the virus.
A person in quarantine:
Any person who has been asked to serve a mandatory quarantine period is restricted from flying. But those who have finished it can travel.
One who tested Covid-19 positive in the past 60 days:
Any person who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past two months, cannot undertake air travel irrespective of his or her current health status. So if a person has to take flight on May 25, he should not have tested COVID-19 positive on or after March 25. However, he can travel after clearing then 2-month period on any other later date.
A person suffering from common flu:
If a person who hasn’t contracted COVID-19 but is suffering from common flu, the guidelines don't prohibit him from travelling, but it is advisable not take travel as long as he recovers. Coughing and sneezing inside the aircraft might cause panic among the co-passengers. “I advise such travellers not to travel though there is a restriction on such flyers,” Arun Kumar, Director General, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, said.
A person with normal fever:
Such people must get themselves tested for COVID and carry their test report along with the physician’s prescription and report. It is advisable for such air passengers also to avoid their travel till the time they get well.
A very elderly person:
The ministry guidelines say that elderly people should avoid air travel unless there is some emergency. But if it is necessary, he/she should travel with an attendant.
A pregnant woman:
Like very elderly people, the guidelines say pregnant women should also avoid travel. But, there is no restriction on flying.
Children:
The guidelines have allowed children below 14 to travel with an adult or a family but he/she cannot travel alone.
