Amid concerns about Ebola cases in Africa, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has released a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for airlines flying to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. The SOP mandates rigorous health screening and precautionary measures for incoming passengers to prevent the spread of Ebola. Airlines are required to implement passenger health declarations and strict monitoring for travelers arriving from affected areas.
The new guidelines emphasize health screening compliance, immediate isolation of suspected cases, and coordination with airport health authorities. Carriers must arrange segregated seating for passengers showing symptoms to reduce transmission risks during transit. Passengers traveling from these countries are now obligated to complete health declaration forms before boarding to aid in early identification of potential risk cases.
The SOP applies to various international airlines operating routes from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, including Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Air Tanzania, and others. The move aims to enhance India’s readiness against cross-border health threats and ensure prompt detection of Ebola cases among international travelers. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation in Africa and collaborating to strengthen surveillance at entry points to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
