New Delhi: Special international flights to repatriate Indians should have vacant middle seats and tickets for those seats can’t be sold after 10 days, the Supreme Court said today, commenting that it was “common sense” that social distancing is important. The court’s remarks also raise questions about domestic flights that started today with all seats occupied.
“It is common sense that maintaining social distancing is important. Outside, there should be a social distancing of at least six feet, what about inside aircrafts,” Chief Justice SA Bobde told Air India, which has been operating the “”Vande Bharat” flights to bring back Indians stranded abroad due to virus shutdowns.
On behalf of the national carrier and the government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had said the best practice is testing and quarantine, “not seat difference”.
Mr Mehta said the decision not to have vacant middle seats was taken following a meeting held with experts.
“How can you say it will not affect passengers? Will the virus know it’s in the aircraft and it’s not supposed to infect? The transmission will be there if you are sitting next to each other,” the Chief Justice said.
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