Lockdown Phase-4 is on its way to end and efforts to resolve normalcy can be seen all over. The Civil Aviation Ministry has signaled to commence domestic flights from May 25 to catch on routine.

In view of the same, the Bar Council of Delhi has written to the Authority to take immediateand  adequate measures at all Central Air Conditioned installed at airports so eliminate the chances and risk of spread of Coronavirus.

The BCD Chairman K. C. Mittal mentioned in the letter:

"We do not know whether Government has taken adequate measures in so far as use of central air conditioning at the airports are concerned, since now it has been categorically established that central air conditioning is a source of spread of coronavirus."

To cement the fact, the Chairman has cited the Status Report filed by Union of India before the Delhi High Court on the Council's own application raising concerns regarding buildings which are air conditioned and the people working in such environment.

The Central Public Works Department, which operates a large number of Central Government offices across the country, has in the status report acknowledged the concern of spread of COVID-19M through the operation of circulating fans, coolers and ACs in offices and work spaces as the summer season is approaching

Thus to have ample protection in place against this, the CPWD Directorate had examined the COVID 19 Guidance Document for Air Conditioning and Ventilation prepared by the ISHRAE Task Force (Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers) on how to operate air conditioning and ventilation systems to curb the spread of COVID-19 in residential areas, workspaces and health care facilities.

The Department thus accordingly in its Memorandum of April 22nd decided to use these HVAC Guidelines, that are prepared upon discussion with Experts from the industry, research and academia, for the guidance of the field formations of the CPWD throughout the whole nation.

It has been directed that these Guidelines are formed to be implemented by the various field offices of the CPWD which are maintaining Central Government work spaces throughout the country to prevent any contamination by air circulation in these offices manned by government officers and staff.

Therefore the BCD Chairman pleaded in the letter:

"We are sure that on such an important issue, your ministry must have taken care of this particular aspect before commencement of domestic flights. However, you may please ensure, if not already, to take immediate adequate measures at all central air conditioned airports so that there is no spread of coronavirus."

He then aversed:

"We do not know how far it is correct, but the general message is that this virus came from abroad and was carried by passengers travelling to India from various foreign countries. If at the initial stage, care could have been taken in January 2020 onwards, things would have been different. Now that, all States / UTs are effected, precautions must be taken so interstate risk is ruled out."

The Council mentioned that the use of central air conditioners in the buildings of the High Court of Delhi following the same guidelines had to be abandoned and arrangements for the same are being made. \

In the end, he urged:

"We hope you would kindly take absolute care of everybody, who intends to travel by domestic flight, at all the airports."

Pic Courtsey: MyGov

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