Another step by Ministry of Civil Aviation to curb coronavirus - Now, this facility is available at airport

Amid rising number of coronavirus cases in India, Ministry of Civil Aviation has allowed RT-PCR testing at the entry airport on pilot basis to facilitate the transfer of international passengers. This information was given in a written reply by Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of State (I/C), Civil Aviation in Rajya Sabha today. The salient features of the guidelines include the following:

(i) Airport Operator will create Sample Collection cum Waiting Lounge facility for RT-PCR testing.

(ii)Waiting Lounge should be located away from the Operational area, should follow all sanitization and social distancing related guidelines issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, should have no unauthorized access, should provide necessary amenities to the passengers like Wifi, F&B options, washrooms etc. and should provide cashless options for making payments with regard to testing and various amenities etc.

(iii) Airport Operator shall provide option to the passengers to either stay at the Waiting Lounge awaiting the test results or to proceed to designated Hotel(s) in order to isolate themselves till the test results are available.

(iv)Sample collection to be in strict compliance with the protocols established by ICMR and NABL.

(v)Passengers to do online booking of the RT-PCR test through respective websites or other appropriate online platforms. A well-defined flow to be laid down by airport operators for smooth conduct of testing at airports.

(vi)Passport of the passenger to be retained by the State authority at the Sample Collection cum Waiting Lounge till the test results are available.

(vii)If the test result is negative, passenger will be permitted to exit the Waiting Lounge and proceed to the Departures to catch the connecting flight. However, if the result is positive, the passenger will be processed in line with applicable ICMR protocols by the State authorities.

(viii) No passenger should be able to make an unauthorized exit.

Indians Repatriated Under Vande Bharat Mission

Meanwhile, Ministry of Civil Aviation has released details of Indians repatriated under Vande Bharat Mission. Vande Bharat Mission consists of special repatriation flights operated by Indian carriers and chartered flights operated by both Indian and foreign carriers.

As per information provided by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), as on 31.08.2020, a total of 5817 flights (inbound to India) were operated to repatriate Indian nationals. The country-wise details of repatriated Indians along with the state-wise arrival figures are attached https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/Annexure-A.pdf

As per information submitted by the State Government of Tamil Nadu, a total of 585 Vande Bharat Mission flights have been operated to the State of Tamil Nadu till the end of Phase 5. Phase-wise details are given in the Annexure-B - https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/Annexure%20B.pdf

This information too was given in a written reply by Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of State (I/C), Civil Aviation in Rajya Sabha.