The Airports Authority of India (AAI) on Thursday issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) for airports saying that all passengers other than those below 14 years of age must compulsorily be registered with the Aarogya Setu app on their mobile phones.
“All the departing passengers must compulsorily be registered with the Aarogya Setu app on their mobile phones and the same shall be verified by the Central Industrial Security Force/Airport staff at the entry gate,” the AAI said.
“However, Aarogya Setu is not mandatory for children below the age of 14 years,” it added.
The AAI also said that that it will be compulsory for passengers to walk through the thermal screening zones before entering the airport terminal building.
Passengers not showing ‘Green’ on ‘Aarogya Setu’ won’t be allowed to enter airports, it added.
The SOPs also stated that the passengers needed to reach the airport two hours before departure and must compulsorily wear protective gears like masks, gloves etc.
It also stated that only personal cars or select authorised cab services or other transport services will be permitted to enter the airport, albeit with restricted seating.
Moreover, airports across the country will need to have mats or carpets soaked with bleach (sodium hypochlorite solution) placed at the entrance for disinfecting shoes and thermal screeners for passengers.
Airport operators have also been asked to make appropriate arrangement for sanitization of baggage before entry to the terminal building.
The AAI also asked the airports to ensure that hand sanitizers are made available at various locations of airports for passengers and staff.
The move to introduce SOPs comes at a time when Union Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced on Wednesday that domestic civil operations will start from May 25 by adhering to the guidelines issued by the Centre.