Passengers without masks might get put on 'no-fly' list in India

Mumbai : Air travellers refusing to wear masks or follow social distancing during a flight despite repeated warnings could be put on a "no-fly" list in India for a period of three months to two years or more, the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation said in an order on March 13.
If a passenger in an aircraft refuses to wear mask or is not following Covid-19 protocols, he or she would be deplaned or may even be handed over to security agencies at the airport and be dealt with as per law, according to reports.
"It has been noticed that some travellers undertaking air journey do not adhere to Covid-19 protocols which essentially involves wearing the mask properly that is not below the nose during all times of the journey from entering the airport for departure to exiting it after arrival," added the DGCA order.
A Kolkata High Court judge had, while flying from Kolkata to New Delhi, recently noticed how passengers did not wear masks on the flight.
The DGCA has directed airlines, airport operators and CISF to ensure that passengers wear masks and maintain social distancing norms at all times during air travel and also at all times within the airport.