In total, around 58 people have been transferred to Covid hospitals in Wuhan, China (file)
New Delhi:
Air India reacted to reports that 19 Indians who flew to Wuhan in China – where the Covid pandemic originated in December last year – on a “Vande Bharat” flight on Friday tested positive for the virus in the arrival. In a statement to GalacticGaming, Air India said it “strictly adheres to all safety protocols” and that all passengers on its flight from Wuhan have negative Covid test reports from certified laboratories.
“All of our passengers to Wuhan boarded the Delhi flight with negative Covid reports from certified laboratories. Air India strictly adheres to all security protocols established by regulatory bodies and complies with destination airport requirements. “, says the press release.
“There is no question of passengers boarding any of our flights without valid Covid reports,” the airline said. According to the rules, all Indian passengers must undergo two Covid tests before being allowed to board flights.
According to reports, 39 others are asymptomatic, but Chinese officials suspect they have also contracted the disease. All 58 are believed to have been transferred to COVID-19 hospitals.
News of the reported positive case comes days before the first of four other “Vande Bharat” flights to China, starting November 13. Friday’s flight was the sixth to China and the first to Wuhan.
This is not the first time that passengers departing Air India flights to other countries have tested positive upon arrival at their destination.
Hong Kong on Wednesday banned all Air India flights until November 10 after a few passengers on a flight out of Mumbai tested positive on arrival. It was the fourth time that the Hong Kong government has banned Air India flights from the country.
Bans were also imposed on Air India Express by Dubai after a passenger tested positive on arrival.
Scheduled international passenger flights have been suspended by the Indian government since the coronavirus lockdown on March 23.
However, airlines have been allowed to operate special flights – under the umbrella of “Vande Bharat” – and as part of bilateral “air bubble” pacts signed with around 18 countries since July.
According to protocols in China, anyone who tested positive will only be released after testing negative. The rules also state a mandatory 14-day quarantine at designated hotels for all inbound passengers, regardless of negative Covid test reports.
The PTI news agency said there had been an increase in passenger air traffic to China after the government lifted the ban on residence permit visas. About 2,000 Indians – students or professionals – want to return.
With the contribution of PTI
