Mamata govt issues guidelines for flight passengers ahead of resumption of services in WB

As domestic flight services are set to resume from May 28 in West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee- led government has issued an advisory that is to be followed to prevent spread of Covid-19 infection. As per advisory, people entering state must submit a self-declaration form stating that y had t tested positive for COVID-19 in past two months. passengers also need to undergo health screening after ir arrival at airport, advisory by state Health Department said. It also said that regular sanitisation, disinfection shall be done at airport and directed airports to have adequate availability of sanitisers at different points.

"All passengers are required to submit filled-up self declaration form at time of arrival," it said. "Asymptomatic passengers will be permitted to go with advice that y shall self monitor ir health for 14 days." Furrmore, advisory stated that in case passengers develop any symptoms, y shall inform local medical officer or state call centre. "All symptomatic passengers will be taken to nearest health facility for testing samples, it said. And those with moderate or severe symptoms will be admitted to dedicated COVID-19 health facility and mand accordingly," advisory said.

READ | Centre confirms domestic flights from most states on May 25; Andhra, Bengal to start later

Meanwhile, Health Department has established a chain of dialysis units after reports that such services were disrupted due COVID-19 pandemic, an official said. dialysis services, both run departmentally as well as in public-private partnership model, covering every corners of state, he said. department has also issued ar advisory stating that dialysis units, which were closed due to a patient testing COVID-19 positive, might resume operations after proper sanitisation. 

READ | Coronavirus Live Updates

flight till May 28

Earlier, CM Banerjee has urged  Centre to postpone resuming domestic flight services at Kolkata and Bagdogra airports as state will be managing dam caused by Cyclone Amphan. Army units were deployed in West Bengal to help state government to tackle destruction after Cyclone. 

CM Banerjee had told reporters on Saturday evening that she has asked chief secretary to request Civil Aviation Ministry to defer services at Kolkata airport to May 30 and at Bagdogra airport to May 28. state has already urged Centre to put off movement of special trains till May 27. CM Banerjee said authorities will ask people returning to state to go for home quarantine for 14 days but urged m to cooperate with government and follow protocols. 

READ | Centre issues guidelines for domestic air,rail, bus travel; states to decide on quarantine

Domestic flights commence

On Wednesday, after anuncing commencement of domestic air flights, Union Civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri anunced that domestic flight operations shall be restricted to 1/3rd capacity of approved summer schedule 2020 along with a new fare limit to make flights affordable. He said that for this fare structure sets a minimum and maximum level for three months - for e.g. Delhi-Mumbai flight fare will be set Rs 3500 and maximum level at Rs 10000.  Flight routes had been divided into 7 sections-flying times of fewer than 40 minutes, from 40 to 60 minutes, 60-90 minutes, 90-120 minutes, 120-150 minutes, 150-180 minutes and from 180 to 210 minutes. 

(with PTI inputs)

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