Face masks made mandatory again throughout air journey in India amid rising COVID-19 infections

NEW DELHI, Aug. 18: Amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases in India, wearing face masks has been once again made mandatory throughout the journey by air, said an official source at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Wednesday.

Besides, adequate sensitization of the passengers about COVID-19 protocols has also been made compulsory for those undertaking domestic flights.

In case a passenger does not comply with the directions, strict action will be taken by airlines against the passenger, said the DGCA in its latest order.

"In view of the rise in COVID-19 cases, airlines have been advised to ensure that passengers are wearing face masks properly throughout the journey and ensure proper sensitization of the passengers through various platforms," said the DGCA official.

According to the official data of the federal health ministry on Wednesday, there are 105,058 active COVID-19 cases in India with 9,062 new cases and 36 deaths registered in 24 hours nationwide.