Masks no longer compulsory during air travel to India

Muscat: Passengers travelling from Oman to India can now fly without wearing masks during air travel, according to India’s Civil Aviation Ministry on Wednesday.

In a communication to the scheduled airlines, the ministry said the use of masks is no longer compulsory during air travel. The ministry said the latest decision has been taken in line with the government's policy of a graded approach to COVID-19 management response.

The civil aviation ministry, however, said that passengers should preferably use them amid the declining number of coronavirus cases. It may be mentioned that till now, the use of masks or face covers while travelling on flights was mandatory, be it domestic or international sectors on Indian air carriers.

"...the in-flight announcements henceforth may only mention that in view of the threat posed by COVID-19, all passengers should preferably use mask/face covers," the government communication said.

It also said that any specific reference to fine/penal action need not be announced as part of the in-flight announcements.

The total number of active coronavirus cases in the country accounted was only 0.02 per cent of the total infections and the recovery rate increased to 98.79 per cent, according to the latest official data.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,41,28,580 and the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent.