COVID-19 norms thrown to wind as couple ties knot mid-air
What's the story
A mid-air wedding in the presence of guests and relatives took place inside a SpiceJet chartered flight on May 23 morning wherein COVID-19 social distancing norms were violated, sources said on Monday.
The chartered flight left the Madurai Airport and remained airborne for approximately two hours on Sunday morning before returning there, they added.
Probe
Complaint will be filed against those who violated COVID-19 norms
A senior Directorate General of Civil Aviation regulator said that the flight crew has been off-rostered for not enforcing social distancing norms onboard.
"SpiceJet has been directed to lodge a complaint with relevant authorities against those people who did not follow the COVID-19 norms inside the flight," the official said.
He also said that the DGCA "will take strict action" after completing its probe.
Information
People can be seen standing extremely close to each other
Images and videos of the mid-air wedding circulating on social media purportedly show people standing extremely close to each other as the couple tied the knot.
Joy ride
The flight was booked for a joy ride post-wedding
When asked on the matter, a SpiceJet spokesperson said, "A SpiceJet Boeing 737 was chartered by a travel agent in Madurai on May 23, 2021, for a group of passengers for a joy ride post their wedding."
"The client was clearly briefed on COVID-19 guidelines to be followed and denied permission for any activity to be performed on board," he added.
Briefing
Passengers did not pay heed despite repeated requests: Spokesperson
The agent and the guests were apparently briefed both in writing as well as verbally about social distancing and safety norms.
"The group was repeatedly briefed on the safety norms to be followed by the operating cabin crew and advised to follow the protocols...including restrictions on photography and videography. Despite repeated requests and reminders the passengers did not follow the guidelines," the spokesperson said.
Twitter Post
Here is the video
Rakesh-Dakshina from Madurai, who rented a plane for two hours and got married in the wedding sky. Family members who flew from Madurai to Bangalore after getting married by SpiceJet flight from Bangalore to Madurai. #COVID19India #lockdown @TV9Telugu #weddingrestrictions pic.twitter.com/9nDyn3MM4n
— DONTHU RAMESH (@DonthuRamesh) May 23, 2021
Figures
Overall death toll has crossed the three lakh mark
India has been badly hit by the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic during the last few weeks.
Fresh COVID-19 infections in India dipped to 2,22,315, the lowest in around 38 days, pushing the total tally to 2,67,52,447, while the death toll crossed the three lakh mark, according to the latest data.
The death toll climbed to 3,03,720 with 4,454 daily deaths.