Aviation authority DGCA has requested that airlines take a number of actions in response to the Ebola outbreak in specific African nations. These include, among other things, making in-flight announcements and requiring passengers from or passing through these countries to fill out self-declaration forms. A set of protocols for dealing with the spread of the Ebola virus have been released by the DGCA, or Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
Before passengers can deplane, airlines with any kind of connection to the countries of Uganda and Congo must collect and file self-declaration forms.
One hundred and thirty-three airlines serving the Congo are named by DGCA, including Egyptair, Air France, Emirates, Air India, IndiGo, Akasa Air, and IndiGo.
Air India, IndiGo, and KLM are among the 17 airlines mentioned by the regulator as transporting people from Uganda.
Because of the ongoing Ebola outbreak, airlines must also announce in-flight that passengers experiencing any of the following symptoms: weakness, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, or bleeding should notify flight attendants and the immigration/medical unit upon arrival: fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, or bleeding.
Airlines are advised to include the following in their in-flight announcements: “all travellers (passengers and crew), irrespective of nationality, will be required to fill a Self Declaration Form and hand it over at the immigration/designated counter” (DGCA warning dated May 22).
The DGCA has also laid out standards for both arrival and in-flight handling of suspected cases, which includes the requirement that the plane be parked in a specific berth.
In the event of a suspected case on board an aeroplane, the DGCA has issued a number of directives, including the following: moving the affected person to the far back of the plane and, if at all feasible, keeping the front and side rows of seats empty.
IMage Credit: Rediff
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