The Maharashtra government on Wednesday exempted on-duty cockpit and cabin crew members of all airlines from the mandatory RT-PCR test across airports in the state.
The exemption, however, will be subjected to following all necessary Covid-related protocols by the respective airlines, Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sanjay Kumar said in an order.
The exemption was granted after the state government received a request from the national carrier Air India in this regard, the order stated.
In its revised standard operating procedures on preventive measures to check the spread of Covid-19 in the state, issued on November 23, the state government made it mandatory for all persons seeking to enter the state from Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Goa to carry RT-PCR negative reports amid the rising number of cases in these states.
“The state government has received a request from Air India stating that it is operating Vande Bharat flights and multiple cargo flights in and out of Maharashtra on a regular basis.
“This involves a large number of flight and cockpit crew (pilots and cabin crew) to travel into Maharashtra from various states to either operate or be positioned for flight duties on a daily basis,” the order said.
However, as per the guidelines of the state, Covid RT-PCR (Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction) has been made compulsory for all persons arriving at the airport, which leads to delay in scheduling in flights, it said.
{{/usCountry}}However, as per the guidelines of the state, Covid RT-PCR (Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction) has been made compulsory for all persons arriving at the airport, which leads to delay in scheduling in flights, it said.
{{/usCountry}}“In the light of the above state, it is stated that henceforth all on duty cabin crew and cockpit crew of all airlines carrying valid identity cards be exempted from RT-PCR test at all airports in Maharashtra subject to following of necessary Covid-related protocols by the respective airlines in the said regard,” the order stated.