CAA issues new travel advisory for all airlines amid coronavirus

KARACHI: Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued a new 21-point travel advisory for all airlines including Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) amid coronavirus pandemic.

The authority has ordered the concerned airlines to fully implement the guidelines in order to contain the outbreak of coronavirus. It further directed the airlines to disinfect the planes before starting the boarding process.

CAA said, “The airlines shall ensure that all passengers fill a mandatory-health declaration form provided to them from the government.” The authority further called on the airlines for ensuring the availability of the form on the social media platforms and websites of the airlines.

The authority also said that the passengers and crew members would be bound to use surgical masks during travelling to avoid any transmission of coronavirus.

“The passengers will have to go through a screening and health examination process at the airport,” CAA said, adding that the passengers will not be allowed to change their seats during the flight while cabin crew should provide the flyers with hand sanitizers after every 30 minutes.

Referring to meal, CAA said that meals would be provided in flights lasting for more than two and a half hours while cabin crew will send photos of all passengers on the flight before take-off.

Coronavirus has claimed lives of almost 26 people and has affected more than 1850 people across the country. Sindh and Punjab remained the worst affected provinces from coronavirus.