Amid coronavirus outbreak in India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday asked airlines to allot seats in flights in such a manner that middle seats between two passengers are kept vacant to the extent possible.
The civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri earlier said that keeping the middle seat vacant would not be viable for the both airlines and passengers as the fares would shoot up.
If an airline has to allot middle seat due to high demand, then it must arrange "additional protective equipment" for the flyers.
The airline regulator asked the airlines to provide a three-layered face mask, face shield and a "wrap-around gown (Ministry of Textile approved standards" to those occupying the intervening seat in an