LAHORE: The Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) are not being entirely followed at Lahore airport, revealed a visit on Friday.

At the airport, it was witnessed that most of the security and other officials were not wearing masks. Similarly, most of the people coming to receive or drop passengers were found flouting SOPs.

“Since the number of coronavirus cases has gone down and the government gave the impression that the virus is no more a serious threat, not many officials and security staff are following the SOPs. Most of them keep a mask with them but usually do not wear it if they are not watched by their superiors,” a source said.

An official of the Civil Aviation Authority told Dawn it had been made mandatory for all the staff to wear masks. “The airport manager has issued strict instructions in this regard and these are being followed,” he claimed.

The airlines are following SOPs regarding sanitisation of passengers and luggage. No passenger is allowed to board a plane without a mask, however, social distancing in the aircraft is not being followed.

“If social distancing is followed in planes, the fare will increase multifold,” an official of the national flag carrier told Dawn.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2020