Coronavirus: Puri assures protection to aviation employees from ostracisation

The minister of Civil aviation, Hardeep Singh Puri assured the employees of Air India and IndiGo airlines all possible help, support and protections after airlines reported instances of its employees being ostracised by their communities as a result of their line of duty in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

New Delhi: After Air India and IndiGo airlines reported instances of its employees being ostracised by their communities as a result of their line of duty in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday assured them to extend all possible help, support and protection to them and their families.

"Deeply distressed to know that some aviation professionals who have been at the forefront of India's efforts to prevent and contain the spread of coronavirus and even rescue fellow citizens from COVID19 around the world are being harassed by their neighbours and others," said Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

"I respect the selfless commitment and determination of our professionals and have requested concerned authorities to extend all possible help, support and protection to them and their families including to those who are in self- quarantine," the minister added.

Notably, Air India and Indigo airlines had issued similar statements saying that it was alarming as to how in many localities their crew members are being ostracised because they travelled coronavirus-hit countries to evacuate Indians.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed the crew of Air India which has been evacuating stranded people from coronavirus countries and applauded the airlines by saying that Air India has shown at most courage and rice and to the call of humanity.

Air India was among the first airlines to evacuate Indians from Wuhan, the epicenter of Coronavirus. Not only this, the airline also evacuated stranded Indians from Rome, Milan and several other coronavirus-hit countries.