DGCA: World cannot remain in prolonged lockdown; safety norms in place

MUMBAI: Bombay high court on Tuesday asked Central Government how many passengers who returned on the Vande Bharat Mission tested positive for Covid-19 after landing, but had not been infected when they boarded the special flight.The HC sought a data of such passengers by Wednesday evening.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for the Centre and Air India informed Bombay high court on Tuesday that the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has in its latest May 31 order directed airlines to keep the middle seat vacant and if it was not possible to do so due to passenger load, to provide protective wear to the passenger in the middle seat.
His submission came in a petition filed by an Air India pilot, Deven Kanani, who through his counsel Abhilash Panickar, essentially sought enforcement of social distancing, by ensuring middle seat remains vacant during flights.
“As on May 29, 2020 there are 21 cases of Cabin Crew who have tested positive out of around 5000 tested,” said the AI in its affidavit, denying that there were no hospital beds for its staff who tested positive.