Allow Cookies!
By using our website, you agree to the use of cookies
The Bombay High Court asked an Expert Committee headed by the Secretary of Civil Aviation to clarify whether a mere touch of a person infected with the Covid-19 can lead to transmission of the disease. The Commander Deven Y Kanani of the Air India filed a Writ petition. He alleged that the National Carrier violated the circular dated March 23. It violated the rule of keeping the middle seat empty during the evacuation of the stranded passengers. It was a part of the Vande Bharat Mission. SG Tushar Mehta appeared on behalf of the DGCA. He laid emphasis on the minutes of the meeting of the Expert Committee, under the Chairmanship of the Secretary of Civil aviation (May 26). The meeting focussed on strengthening the public health protocols in air travels.
The Court observed the minutes and pointed it out by saying that the physical distance between two individuals helps in minimizing transmission of the disease. It was further said that if a person sitting next to another one is provided with a protective suit, then it will be a good way of preventing the spread of the virus by means of droplets and touch. The committee also suggested that providing the protecting suits to the middle seat passengers would minimize the risk of contracting the disease at the time of aligning or boarding.
The Court sought a clarification from the Expert Committee as to whether a mere touch or droplet can lead to transmission of the disease. The minutes of the meeting included both the terms “inadvertent touch” and “preventing spread of virus by droplets or touch”. The Court also enquired the number of evacuated passengers who tested positive after landing of the flight in India but not before boarding it. Till now, no report has been submitted by the Centre.
The HC ordered that the DGCA instruction to keep the middle seats empty was applicable to the non-scheduled international flights of the Air India. After that, the Air India moved the SC. It argued that the circular was limited to only the scheduled domestic flights. In May, the SC granted a partial relief to the Air India. It was allowed to operate the middle seat bookings for 10 days. The matter was disposed.
86540
103860
630
114
59824