The Ministry of Civil Aviation said that the decision has been taken following a review meeting on the issue with the Ministry of Health…reports Asian Lite News
Keeping in view the declining cases of Covid-19 in the country, the government on Wednesday removed mandatory requirement to wear masks in flights.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation said that the decision has been taken following a review meeting on the issue with the Ministry of Health.
“The matter, regarding the requirement for mandatory use of masks or face covers during air travel, has been reviewed in consultation with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
“In line with the Government of India’s policy of graded approach of Covid-19 management response, 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 Ministry said in an office memorandum.
The Ministry said that any reference of fine need not be announced with regard to use of masks. “Any specific reference to fine/penal action need not be announced as part of the in-flight announcements. Hence, consolidated Covid-19 instructions for domestic and international air travel issued for passengers, airport operators and airlines issued vide order dated May 10, 2022 stands modified to that extent,” it said.
In June this year, the airlines were asked to ensure that all passengers wear face masks properly and continue to wear the mask throughout the journey and masks could be removed under exceptional circumstances and for permitted reasons only.
Research studies have proven that wearing face masks is one of the most important factors in maintaining health and safety and preventing the risk of infection with COVID-19…reports Asian Lite News
Research studies have proven that wearing face masks is one of the most important factors in maintaining health and safety and preventing the risk of infection with COVID-19, and are effective in reducing the rate of spread and viral load of the disease, especially in closed and crowded areas, according to NCEMA spokesperson Dr. Taher Al Ameri.
He then noted that various segments of the community have recently shown negligence in adhering to wearing face masks in closed areas, adding that wearing masks in closed areas is mandatory and violators will be punished with a fine of up to AED3,000, according to Public Prosecution Decision No.38 for 2020.
“A lack of commitment to isolating was noted among a small group of people infected with COVID-19, which threatens the safety of the community and causes the spread of the virus, due to the lack of commitment of people,” Al Ameri stated, noting that such practices will be subject to legal action.
“Our frontline defenders in the UAE have been working nonstop for two years, and due to their efforts, the country has contained the pandemic and achieved recovery,” he stressed, noting that complying with the precautionary measures, as well as failing to meet the social role of maintaining public health and acquired immunity, has resulted in a rise in infections and new waves of the virus.
He then urged the public to comply with relevant precautionary measures, including wearing face masks in closed areas, avoiding crowded places and being cautious while travelling, as well as undertaking regular tests.
At the end of the briefing, Al Ameri highlighted the importance of the commitment of members of the community, following the instructions of health and relevant authorities, and adhering to relevant precautionary measures.
People wearing face masks walk past sale advertisement on Oxford Street in London, Britain
Meanwhile, the country has been reporting a sharp rise in the infection rate. New cases now stand at over 34,000 a day, it was reported…reports Asian Lite News.
People in England are expected to continue wearing face masks in enclosed spaces from July 19 even though the legal requirement to do so would be dropped, Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said on Sunday.
Ministers are considering exempting fully vaccinated National Health Service (NHS) staff in England from having to self-isolate if they are traced as a Covid contact.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed Monday that most coronavirus restrictions are set to end on July 19 as part of the final step of England’s roadmap out of the lockdown, despite warnings from scientists that lifting all restrictions at this stage will increase likelihood of dangerous variants.
Meanwhile, the country has been reporting a sharp rise in the infection rate. New cases now stand at over 34,000 a day, it was reported.
Nearly 87 per cent of the country’s adults have been inoculated with their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine while over 65 per cent have had their second jab, according to the latest figures.
Ministers are considering exempting fully vaccinated National Health Service (NHS) staff in England from having to self-isolate if they are traced as a Covid contact.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said that from Aug. 16, people in England who have received two doses will no longer have to self-isolate if they come into contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.
To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Russia, the US as well as the European Union have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines.
Face masks and distancing rules will no longer be legally required in England from July 19. Also the rule of six inside private homes will also be removed and work-from-home guidance will be scrapped, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
Most coronavirus restrictions are set to end on July 19 as part of the final step of England’s roadmap out of the lockdown, Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed on Monday.
Face masks and distancing rules will no longer be legally required in England from July 19, Johnson told a news conference at Downing Street.
The rule of six inside private homes will also be removed and work-from-home guidance will be scrapped, said the Prime Minister.
Johnson explained: “If we don’t go ahead now when we’ve clearly done so much with the vaccination programme to break the link… when would we go ahead?”
He added: “We run the risk of either opening up at a very difficult time when the virus has an edge, has an advantage, in the cold months, or again putting everything off to next year.”
He also said there will be no Covid certificate required as a condition of entry to any venue or event, although businesses and events can certainly make use of certification and the NHS app is giving a Covid pass as one way to show the Covid status.
He also said there could be 50,000 cases detected per day by the 19th and “again as we predicted, we’re seeing rising hospital admissions and we must reconcile ourselves sadly to more deaths from Covid.”
He said “as we come to the fourth step, we have to balance the risks. The risks of the disease which the vaccines have reduced but very far from eliminated. And the risks of continuing with legally enforced restrictions that inevitably take their toll on people’s lives and livelihoods – on people’s health and mental health. And we must be honest with ourselves that if we can’t reopen our society in the next few weeks, when we will be helped by the arrival of summer and by the school holidays, then we must ask ourselves when will we be able to return to normal?”
The British government is only responsible for coronavirus restrictions in England. The devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are responsible for their own policies in relation to public health matters, the Xinhua news agency reported.
Johnson previously announced a four-week delay to the final step of England’s roadmap out of Covid-19 restrictions until July 19, amid a surge in cases of the Delta variant first identified in India.
Britain reported another 27,334 coronavirus cases in the 24-hour period, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 4,930,534, according to official figures released on Monday.
The country also recorded another nine coronavirus-related deaths. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 128,231. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test.
More than 45.3 million people in Britain have received the first jab of Covid-19 vaccine and over 33.7 million people have received two doses, the official figures showed.
However, Welsh health official has said that further lockdown in Wales will not be ruled out as the number of local Covid-19 cases is rising, a media report said on Monday.
There may be a new variant that escapes our vaccines, so “I can’t make those kind of predictions”, said Welsh Health Minister Eluned Morgan.
Sky News also quoted Morgan as saying that Wales will not be rushed into making a decision about scrapping its coronavirus restrictions despite England’s plan to do so on July 19.
He urged people not to invite anyone home. “Please don’t invite anyone to your home. This is not the time to do so. Take all possible care within the home. Protect yourselves and your family members,” Paul said…reports Asian Lite News.
Niti Aayog’s member health, Dr V K Paul, on Monday urged people not to venture out unnecessarily and wear masks at home also. Speaking at a Union Health Ministry press conference Paul said, “Please wear a mask, do not go out unnecessarily. Stay with your family. Even within the family wear the mask.”
Guidelines to Weddings in times of COVID:19.
He urged people not to invite anyone home. “Please don’t invite anyone to your home. This is not the time to do so. Take all possible care within the home. Protect yourselves and your family members,” Paul said.
Referring to studies, Joint Secretary Union Health Ministry, Luv Aggarwal said, “By not following physical distancing one infected person could infect 406 people in 30 days. Reducing physical exposure by 50 percent, one person can only infect 15 people in 30 days. Reducing the physical exposure by 75 percent, one infected person can only infect 2.5 people in 30 days.”
He said that people must understand the importance of following Covid appropriate behavior in controlling and managing the infection. He pointed out that a mask coupled with physical distancing can lower the transmission risk. “Both a Covid infected person and uninfected person not wearing a mask or maintaining physical distance have 90 percent risk of virus transmission. There is a 30 percent risk of transmission when the infected person is not wearing a mask and the infected person is wearing a mask. There is a medium risk (five percent) of transmission when an infected person is wearing the mask and uninfected is not wearing,” Aggarwal said.
He stated: “Transmission risk becomes low (1.5 percent) when both the people are wearing the mask. There is a negligible or lowest risk when both (infected and uninfected person) is wearing a mask and maintaining a physical distance of six feet.”
Dr Paul clarified that women can take the Covid vaccine during their menstrual cycle. “Yes, women can and should take the vaccine during the menstrual cycle. There is no reason to postpone the vaccination,” he Paul said.
The Member (Health), NITI Aayog Dr. Vinod K. Paul along with the Director, AIIMS, Dr. Randeep Guleria addressing a press conference on the actions taken, preparedness and updates on COVID-19, in New Delhi on April 26, 2021. The Principal Director General (M&C), Press Information Bureau, Shri Jaideep Bhatnagar and the Joint Secretary, MoHFW, Shri Lav Agarwal are also seen. (PIB)
AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria said that unnecessary panic among people is creating a rush at hospitals, shortage of drugs and oxygen. “Unnecessary panic causing rush outside hospitals, shortage of essential drugs and oxygen. Misuse of oxygen is a major factor. If the saturation is 94 percent or above, then there’s no need to worry,” Guleria added.
Aggarwal said, “Maharashtra has the highest active caseload with 7,00,207 active cases, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka. Most of the states have crossed their highest reported daily cases during September last year.”
The Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan interacting with the media persons after inspecting the addition of 500 Oxygenated Beds at the Sardar Patel COVID Care Centre & Hospital, in Chhatarpur, New Delhi on April 24, 2021. (Pallav Paliwal)
“Eight states — Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu — have more than 100,000 active Covid-19 cases,” he said.
He explained that the union government is working on three strategies to contain the virus spread — Containment, Clinical Management, and Community Engagement — across the country.
