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KARACHI: Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has issued new standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the domestic flights to limit the spread of novel COVID-19.
According to a spokesperson of the PCAA, the new guidelines will come into effect from the 6th of October and will remain in force till the 31st of December.
PCAA in the SOPs said no one will be allowed to enter the passenger terminal building without wearing masks. The spokesman said that only passengers will be permitted to enter in the airport lounges.
Only passengers and airport staff will be allowed to go beyond the parking area, the spokesperson maintained.
CAA made it obligatory to disinfect the aircraft in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the authority before passenger boarding, said the spokesperson.
Managers will be responsible to ensure social distancing at the boarding bridge and departure lounge, the spokesperson added.
During the flight, passengers will be provided sanitizers after each hour, he said and added that the airlines will ensure the availability of personal protective equipment in the places.
On August 25, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had issued new standard operating procedures (SOPs) for domestic and international flight operations amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
According to a notification issued by the Director air transport of the CAA, the SOPs would remain effective from August 26 to December 31, 2020, and would also be applicable to the chartered flights operating from within the country.
As per SOPs, only passengers and airport staff will be permitted to go beyond the parking area and no protocol will be allowed.
Protocols of any sort will remain suspended for the passengers and they could only be dropped before the departure lounge of the airport.
The plane would be disinfected before departure. The crew members would be bound to wear PPE kits, surgical flights and gloves during the flight.
The managers of the country-wide airports have been made responsible for implementing the fresh guidelines. The airlines will be bound to provide complete details of the passengers to the airports.
Health department officials would perform COVID-19 tests of all passengers. All luggage and cargo shall be disinfected by the airline soon after landing.
Boarding passes shall be issued with a gap of at least one adjacent seat. All the passengers are required to wear surgical masks throughout the duration of the flight.
