Ebola: Government issues precautionary guidelines to airlines

New Delhi, Aug 12: With airports across the country already on alert to screen passengers coming in from Ebola-hit countries, government today directed all airlines to follow precautionary guidelines to help isolate travellers who may have been affected by the virus.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued directives to all airlines operating on international routes and asked them to take a series of precautionary measures with immediate effect to prevent the entry and spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in India.

The airlines have been asked to keep first aid and universal precaution kits, including masks, sanitizers and disposal gloves and bags.

They would also have to make in-flight announcements for self-reporting by travellers who have any signs or symptoms of EVD, ask passengers to fill up special health forms for submitting information regarding visit to any affected country in the last 21 days, among other things.

The details of passengers boarding from affected countries should be sent in advance to the station of arrival in India by all Indian and foreign airlines, says the directive.

The airlines have been directed to keep a record of all passengers returning to India after staying or visiting West African countries and inform the details to health officials at the concerned airports.

The EVD epidemic has affected four countries in West Africa, with the World Health Organisation declaring the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

PTI