As airports implement their own health protocols, including isolation rooms and emergency drills, the call for a streamlined digital process underscores the urgency of addressing this public health concern.
Airlines have asked the government to quickly roll out a digital platform for submission of passenger self-declaration forms as a part of Ebola virus containment measures.This would improve compliance and save printing expenses, airline executives told the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) during review meetings this week.On May 22, DGCA issued an order asking airlines offering direct and indirect connectivity to Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo to distribute self-declaration forms to passengers.While the May 22 order has not been amended, instructions were issued on Monday to all international airlines operating at Delhi to distribute these forms. Subsequently, similar instructions have been issued at few other airports.The DGCA has asked airlines to strictly follow it’s instructions, and said it is monitoring the compliance. Along side distributing forms, crew have also been asked to make announcements prior to arrival in India.On their part, airlines have asked the regulator to quickly introduce digital platform like Air Suvidha app that was used during Covid-19 pandemic. A suggestion was also made to incorporate Ebola self-declaration form in the immigration department’s online platform.Health emergency“We realise Ebola outbreak in Africa is a public health emergency and support Indian government’s initiative. However, more time should have been provided to airlines for preparing themselves,” an executive pointed out. Some airlines are advising passengers to scan a QR code to access self-declaration form. Airports too are gearing up with their own containment measures. Chennai airport has set dedicated isolation rooms and also carried out a mock drill to assess emergency response readiness and inter-agency co-ordination.The Civil Aviation Ministry did not respond to a query.Published on May 29, 2026
