Centre’s directive: Mangaluru International Airport steps up vigil against Covid-19

MANGALURU: Mangaluru International Airport (MIA), abiding by the latest guidelines issued by MoH&FW in the wake of the current Covid-19 situation globally, has put together measures to curb the spread of the virus. In line with the latest guidelines brought into effect from Saturday, two percent of all international passengers arriving at the airport will undergo random post-arrival sample collection at the airport.
The airline will identify such passengers and their staff will guide them to a dedicated area in the international arrival hall where samples will be collected. Passengers are permitted to leave the airport after providing their samples.
The laboratory will make provisions to send a digital copy of test results to passengers directly. The lab will also share the daily report with the airport health organisation (APHO) and airport authorities.
The sample collection facility for international arriving passengers is in the international arrival hall in the pre-immigration area abutting the APHO swab collection counter.
The testing facility is available round the clock, free of charge, for passengers whom the airline has randomly selected.
MIA has appointed an ICMR-approved and NABL-accredited laboratory for the collection of samples and subsequent testing.
The airport has made provisions for a registration counter and sampling booth respectively for the Covid-19 testing process. MIA has also ensured that messages on preventive measures and details of the latest advisories are prominently displayed across the terminal and MIA’s digital platforms.
All stakeholders have also been sensitised and informed to follow directives laid down by the authorities from time to time. The airport is displaying messages on Covid-19 appropriate behaviour through FIDS at vantage points across the terminals. As part of this fight against the pandemic, MIA will also be available to assist passengers and to implement guidelines issued by the government authorities.