Delhi: Alcohol tests will be conducted along with COVID tests in airports

On 11th May, 2021, the Delhi High Court ordered that all flight personnel such as pilots and cabin crew shall be given a rapid antigen tests, and then tested for alcohol using a breath analyser test in a big, open area.

Testing shall be random. All air staff must give an undertaking that they have not been exposed to alcohol consumption in the last 12 hours before duty.

“(1) All the personnel shall be bound to give an undertaking and a declaration that they have not been exposed to alcohol consumption in the last 12 hours before duty, in terms of the DGCA’s applicable regulations. The said undertakings and declarations would be compulsory for all personnel.

(2) After the undertakings are given, insofar as the administration of the Breath Analyser test is concerned, the doctor and any other paramedic/nursing personnel on duty, would take a Rapid Antigen Test prior to joining the duty, in the testing area, to ensure, as far as possible, that they do not have COVID-19 and they are also not likely to transmit it, being asymptomatic.

(3) The DGCA shall direct that the Breath Analyser test at all airports would to the extent feasible be conducted in a much bigger and an open area, which has CCTV coverage and not in a small enclosed space, as shown in the photograph today. This would ensure that the exposure of aerosoles is also reduced for the personnel, who are tested.”