5 Important Covid 19 Air Travelers Guidelines You Must Know

There are a few things you need to know before you catch your flight in the midst of the ongoing pandemic! As you may already know, the pandemic has restricted our movement to decrease the spread of the disease. But many of us are travelling, be it returning home or going on a trip. Well, irrespective of the reason, it’s important to be safe while travelling. Masks, sanitisers and maintaining social distance are mandatory. There are a few more things that you must keep in mind.

The government has announced guidelines that everyone travelling must follow. Some of these rules have come into play from April 1, 2021. All airports have been asked to strengthen their supervision and surveillance and impose penalties on passengers whenever necessary. Try to adhere to these guidelines for a secure flight. Starting from airline booking to reaching your destination, you must stay vigilant. So, ensure that you follow these guidelines for secure and unproblematic travel.

We have jotted down some domestic air travel guidelines for you to follow while at the airport and also while travelling to different states!

Masks are mandatory

Much like everywhere else, it is imperative to wear masks before entering the airport, before departure and even while exiting the airport at arrival and thereafter. A single Mask can save your life along with so many others. So do not hesitate to wear your mask!

Masks are super important and if you need some more validation to that, have a look at what the Aviation Minister DGCA has said in the latest reports. The minister announced that passengers will be termed ‘unruly’ if they fail to comply with the requirements and breach the covid-19 protocols.

• Passengers must wear masks and maintain social distancing at all times during travel. Masks hanging from the ear or on the chin will not work. It is mandatory to cover your nose and mouth with the mask.

• Police personnel deployed at the Airport shall ensure that nobody enters the airport without wearing a proper mask.

• Removing the mask after entering the airport isn’t allowed. The Airport Director/Terminal Manager will also ensure that everyone is wearing a mask.

• If a passenger does not wear a mask properly even after repeated warnings or after boarding the flight, they can be deboarded before departure. Also, during the course of the flight, if a passenger does not follow the Covid-19 protocol, such a passenger may be treated as an ‘Unruly Passenger’.

Health declaration is necessary

The second guideline on the list is health declaration. Yes, you must state that you are fit for the flight or journey before boarding the flight. How can you give the health declaration? Fill a self-declaration form and update your health status via the Aarogya Setu App. Make certain that you have downloaded the app on your phone, beforehand.

Some states require passengers to carry negative RT-PCR certificates. So, before travelling, find out if your destination city or state requires the certificate. If it does, don’t forget to get the certificate.

Some restrictions on different states

Already booked a flight ticket online? Great! Now, let’s concentrate on the guidelines! Some states may have some different guidelines and restrictions on travelling. For a hassle-free journey, you must know the guidelines. Read on to know what some of the guidelines say:

Delhi: If you are arriving in Delhi, you’ll be randomly tested for Covid-19. You'll be quarantined if you are positive.

Bengaluru: If you are travelling to Bengaluru from Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab and Chandigarh, it is imperative to bring a negative RT- PCR certificate.

Uttarakhand: A negative RT- PCR test is essential if you are travelling to Uttarakhand from 11 states. Wondersing which states? The states are Maharashtra, Punjab, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.

Gujarat: Gujarat also requires negative test reports from passengers flying from any other state of India.

Online booking and Web Check-In

Online flight booking comes in handy, as you book your ticket online and avoid coming in close contact with the crowd. Online booking is the best option in the current situation. What you must know is that most airlines have made web check-in mandatory. You need to check in online and download the boarding pass as well as the baggage tags.

Flying instructions

Time to look at the flight travel guidelines. Other than wearing masks and following the other guidelines we have already spoken about, there are a few more things. After flights booking and before heading towards the airport, keep some of these simple things in mind.

Report on time: You must arrive at the airport 2 hours before your departure, without fail! This is the one day you do not want to be late, so make it a point to reach there on time.

Limited baggage: Excess baggage is not permitted. One person is allowed one check-in bag and one handbag or similar. For the latest guidelines, please check with the respective airline.

Transport facilities: Try to travel from/to the airport in personal vehicles or authorised taxis. If you must take public transport, do wear a mask and ensure it's not crowded. Thoroughly sanitise your hands if you happen to touch anything.

Vulnerable passengers: It's best if elderly, pregnant women and people with underlying health conditions, minimise their travel plans for better safety.

Well, given the present circumstances, minimise your travelling. And when you are travelling, keep the instructions in your mind. Follow the air travel guidelines and protocols while boarding on a flight. Carrying extra masks and sanitisers is always advisable.

If not an InterMiles member, Sign Up