Coronavirus in India: Airports are spraying sanitizer, calling in doctors, and screening international passengers to keep the outbreak under control

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Coronavirus in India: Airports are spraying sanitizer, calling in doctors, and screening international passengers to keep the outbreak under control
Sanitizer being sprayed at the Indra Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India on March 9 BCCL
  • The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is screening incoming international passengers from 12 countries — including Italy, Iran and Singapore.
  • The Airport Health Organisation (APHO) is screening all domestic and international passengers in India’s 23 international airports.
  • Pictures shows how the second-most populous country in the world is trying to prevent coronavirus from entering the country.
Airlines and airports in India are on high-alert to keep the coronavirus from spreading. So far, there have been 42 reported cases of people infected with Covid-19 — including over a dozen Italian tourists.
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Flights to affected countries have been temporarily suspended and international airports are scanning incoming passengers from countries placed on the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) watch list. The list includes a total of 12 countries so far — including Italy, Iran, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan and Nepal.

The Airport Health Organisation (APHO) has been put in charge of all the screening taking place at the airports. Doctors have screened over 10,902 passengers across 96 flights solely at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport since the outbreak occurred.
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The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has issued guidelines to India’s 23 international airports to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has issued guidelines to India’s 23 international airports to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Source: Delhi Airport/Twitter

Passengers for the 12 countries on the DGCA’s watchlist are segregated on arrival. There are dedicated corridors for incoming flights from at-risk countries.

Passengers for the 12 countries on the DGCA’s watchlist are segregated on arrival. There are dedicated corridors for incoming flights from at-risk countries.

Source: Delhi Aiport/Twitter

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The passengers from affected countries are prohibited from mixing with passengers from other countries during the health screening, immigration and in the conveyor belt areas.

The passengers from affected countries are prohibited from mixing with passengers from other countries during the health screening, immigration and in the conveyor belt areas.

Source: BCCL

All incoming passengers from international flights have to file a self-declaration upon arrival stating that they do not have any symptoms, as far they are aware.

All incoming passengers from international flights have to file a self-declaration upon arrival stating that they do not have any symptoms, as far they are aware.

Source: BCCL

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Passengers travelling to India from Italy or the Republic of Korea will require a certificate stating that they tested negative for Covid-19. The certificate has to be from one of the labs authorised by the respective countries.

Passengers travelling to India from Italy or the Republic of Korea will require a certificate stating that they tested negative for Covid-19. The certificate has to be from one of the labs authorised by the respective countries.

Source: AAI/Twitter

However, it’s not just international passengers who are screened for symptoms. Domestic passengers also have to undergo mandatory screening before being cleared to leave the airport.

However, it’s not just international passengers who are screened for symptoms. Domestic passengers also have to undergo mandatory screening before being cleared to leave the airport.

Soure: Agatala Airport/Twitter

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Airports are using non-contact infra-red thermometers to check passengers for symptoms of the coronavirus.

Airports are using non-contact infra-red thermometers to check passengers for symptoms of the coronavirus.

Source: Bagdogra Airport/Twitter

State doctors are available for all incoming international flights. Shift duty doctors are available for all incoming domestic passengers.

State doctors are available for all incoming international flights. Shift duty doctors are available for all incoming domestic passengers.

Source: BCCL

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If any individual is suspected or found positive for coronavirus, each airport has a segregated room where they can be quarantined.

If any individual is suspected or found positive for coronavirus, each airport has a segregated room where they can be quarantined.

Source: Delhi Airport/Twitter

The airports are undertaking extensive sanitation of all areas to reduce the risk of Covid-19 spreading.

The airports are undertaking extensive sanitation of all areas to reduce the risk of Covid-19 spreading.

Source: Delhi Airport/Twitter

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Airport employees have been advised to wear masks and gloves to reduce the risk of infection — even those at customs who oversee suspicious baggage.

Airport employees have been advised to wear masks and gloves to reduce the risk of infection — even those at customs who oversee suspicious baggage.

Source: Delhi Customs/Twitter

Airlines have been directed to make inflight announcements regarding precautions to prevent a coronavirus infection while travelling.

Airlines have been directed to make inflight announcements regarding precautions to prevent a coronavirus infection while travelling.

Source: BCCL

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