CISF issues advisory for personnel at airports

nNEWDELHI:AVOIDING handshakes, wearing personal protective gear, looking out for suspected coronavirus patients at airports and maintaining safe distance from them are among the guidelines issued by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to its personnel on Thursday.

The paramilitary force, which guards key airports, compiled a list of dos and don’ts in the wake of the fast-spreading Covid-19 that has so far infected over 160 people and killed three in India.

According to the guidelines, the force will follow a “minimum touch concept” while checking and frisking passengers. The guidelines asked personnel to use alcohol-based hand sanitisers and step aside sneezing passengers while frisking. Do not sneeze into gloves and touch passengers, it said.

“In case of any symptomatic passenger, advise them to visit health help desk, medical clinic at airport or APHO [Airport Health Organization],” it said. Do not touch luggage without gloves, the guidelines added, also prescribing that trays and tokens be sanitised and regular medical checkups be done on canine squads.

The personnel were also advised to maintain personal hygiene and avoid eating and drinking out.

CISF director general Rajesh Ranjan, along with special director general MA Ganapathy visited the Delhi airport Thursday to review the arrangements and interacted with personnel.

Hemendra Singh, assistant inspector general, CISF, said, “CISF has procured infrared thermometers. Every officer is being checked for symptoms. Full body suits have also been provided to personnel who are handling such infected people.”