DGCA issues guidelines for pilots, cabin crew after getting COVID-19 vaccine shot

By Team Newsable | First Published Mar 9, 2021, 5:39 PM IST

"If there are no symptoms after 48 hours, the air crew (which includes pilots and cabin crew) is fit to resume 'unrestricted' flying duties," the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a circular.

Amid the vaccination drive against the Covid-19 in India, the Directorate General of civil aviation (DGCA) released a set of guidelines on Tuesday for the aircrew flying after receiving a jab.

DGCA said pilots and cabin crew members will not fly in an aircraft for 48 hours after being vaccinated against coronavirus.

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But those who remain medically unfit for more than two weeks will need a special medical examination to resume flying duties.

The circular titled "Temporary unfitness for flying, post Covid-19 vaccination” gives guidelines to airlines for rostering their crew for flying duties. "Aircrew will be monitored for 30 minutes at the Covid-19 vaccination centre for any anaphylactic or idiosyncratic reaction," said the circular. It added that if the crew member concerned shows no symptom, then the person will be monitored for another 48 hours before being declared safe to resume flying duties.

Meanwhile, India has recorded a significant achievement in its countrywide Covid-19 vaccination drive which was rolled out from 16 January 2021. More than 2 million vaccine doses were administered in the last 24 hours.

During the first phase of the drive, only health workers and frontline workers were allowed to be administered the vaccine.

The second phase commenced on March 1 during which the government allowed those above 60 to be vaccinated. People are above 45 and below 60 can also get themselves vaccinated after presenting a specified co-morbidity certificate.

So far, the government is vaccinating people for free of cost. People also have an option of private vaccination centres where they get the jab at their own convenience. They will have to pay Rs 250 to get the vaccine at private centres.

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