Just before take-off, passenger on Indigo flight says he's COVID-19 positive

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The flight, 6E-286, was preparing to take-off for Pune when the man informed the cabin crew that he was COVID-19 positive. He even showed them documents to prove it. The pilot then contacted the ground control, told them about the situation and decided to return.

Since the COVID-19 positive passenger was in a row between 6 and 8, the pilot made an announcement informing that other seats on those three rows should disembark first and wait in a coach for containment.

The other passengers were provided with PPE gowns and asked to wear them for the entire duration of the flight. The Indigo cabin crew even gave beverages and water to the passengers. The flight was, reportedly, delayed by at least two hours.

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Last year, due to the lockdown, the aviation sector was among the hardest hit. Since the lockdown began easing, airlines have been following strict safety measures.

The ANI report, quoting an Indigo official, said the airline followed all COVID-19 guidelines laid down by the government and aviation authority.

On Friday, India’s COVID-19 caseload increased by 16,838 new cases, pushing the tally to about 1.12 crore, as per the health ministry’s coronavirus tracker. The death toll has touched 1,57,548.