Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Civil Aviation briefed the media on the various measures taken by MoCA to deal with Coronavirus outbreak.

ADDRESSING A  press conference on Coronavirus related issues, Union Minister said that screening of passengers coming from all parts of the world is currently being carried on at 30 Indian airports and 6,49,452 passengers have been screened. 

Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Civil Aviation briefed the media on the various measures taken by MoCA to deal with Coronavirus outbreak.  

“Government of India had started taking measures including screening much before the WHO has termed the virus outbreak as Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 30th January 2020,” said Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister Civil Aviation. 

The universal screening of all incoming passengers coming from all parts of the world has begun at Indian airports. After thermal screening, the passengers who show initial signs of fever, are subjected to full testing and further detailed process is carried out. 

Furthermore, around 70,000 passengers coming to India on a daily basis through airports from different parts of the world, are being screened.

“WINGS India 2020, a major event of Civil aviation sector scheduled from 12th to 15th March 2020, will be held on a truncated basis. Large public gatherings would be avoided. The local representatives would be attending the event. Video conferencing is being planned with the delegates outside India,” he further added.

The Minister added that the evacuation of Indians from Iran is being planned in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Government of Iran.

Preventive Measures to curb the Spread of Corona Virus Disease 

- Universal screening for coronavirus is being done at 30 airports having international operations. A total of 6,49,452 passengers have been screened so far (As on 5 March 2020 10:00 hrs) from 6550 flights.

- All airports have been given strict directions that all passengers arriving from International flights shall be screened by APHO immediately once they step out of the specific identified Aerobridge. Separate Counters have been created near these aerobridges for their screening. 

- After the screening and clearance given by APHO at these aerobridges, all passengers shall be allowed to proceed towards Immigration. 

- All airports operators shall identify and earmark the aerobridge and provide the necessary infrastructure for the purpose of screening. 

- Airport-wise Nodal Officers have been appointed at all the international airports and the list has been furnished to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to issue necessary instruction, if any, to the nodal officers at the airports directly without any delay. 

- Signages have been displayed at the designated places at all the airports having international operations. 

- Airlines have been instructed for making in-flight announcements as per the directions of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. All the international passengers are also being asked to fill the ‘Self Reporting Form’ in duplicate, as per the instructions of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. 

- Necessary instructions have been issued to the airlines by DGCA to carry the nCOV samples to the designated ICMR-NIV Pune Lab for testing.