DGCA Tells Airlines To Maintain Social Distancing In Flights

The Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), issued directions to airlines on Monday to maintain social distancing in flights. The watchdog authority for the aviation security has also asked airlines to ensure that there is social distancing at various points of interaction such as check-in counter, waiting and boarding area. Airlines have been asked to ensure that their personnel are adequately protected. Sanitizers are to be given to passengers, as per DGCA orders.

DGCA has also instructed airlines to keep a seat empty between fliers on flights. The DGCA is being proactive also because airline passengers have been the primary source of the infection in India.

International flights from many countries have already been banned as measure against the rapid spread of COVID-19.

COVID-19 has infected 416 people across the country and has claimed 8 lives.

As the government stepped up efforts to battle COVID-19, life in streets of cities and towns across the country felt the impact of a complete lockdown on Monday. A day after people across the country responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to fellow-citizens to observe 'Janata Curfew', he urged states to act sternly in enforcing lockdowns.

Citizens violating lockdown orders may face a prison term of six month in the 14 states where it is in force. States could enforce Section 188 of IPC and impose a jail term of six month and Rs. 1000 or both.

Gujarat has sealed its borders with Rajasthan and Maharashtra, as Delhi has with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has ordered all states to over-crowding in prisons.

PM Modi Engages With Media

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, held a video conference with heads of media networks across the country. He urged them to spread awareness among the people of the country on the gravity of the situation. Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar was also present during the video-chat.