DGCA releases SOP for flights from Uganda, Congo after Ebola outbreak
DGCA logo
Airlines flying to and from Uganda and Congo must ensure that all passengers complete self-declaration forms prior to disembarkation.
Following the WHO’s declaration of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has introduced a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for airlines operating routes connected to the affected regions.
Under the new guidelines, airlines flying to and from Uganda and Congo must ensure that all passengers complete self-declaration forms prior to disembarkation. The move is aimed at strengthening surveillance and facilitating early identification of potential Ebola cases arriving in India.
According to NewsOnAir report, the DGCA has also directed airlines to make mandatory in-flight health announcements informing passengers about Ebola-related symptoms and encouraging prompt reporting of any signs of illness. Travellers have been advised to immediately notify cabin crew members or airport health and immigration authorities if they experience symptoms such as fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding.
According to the SOP, passengers who develop symptoms within 21 days of arriving in India should seek medical attention at designated healthcare facilities and inform the airport health office without delay.
The aviation regulator has additionally outlined onboard management procedures for suspected cases. In such situations, the affected passenger should be shifted towards the rear section of the aircraft, while nearby seating rows, wherever feasible, should remain unoccupied to minimise contact exposure.
Airlines have further been instructed to maintain adequate supplies of preventive and protective equipment, including triple-layer masks, disposable gloves, PPE kits, hand sanitisers and biohazard waste disposal bags, as part of preparedness measures.
