From 'I don't have a mask' to 'humne last time bhi nahi lagaya': 'Passengers give the weirdest reasons for not wearing masks'

While the DGCA recently stated that not wearing a mask can get one barred from flying, crew members say getting a passenger to put on a mask is easier said than done

- Divya Kaushik

Last week, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) came up with an order reminding airlines and airport authorities about the need for strict adherence to COVID protocols. As per the order, similar to the one issued in March last year, passengers who refuse to follow COVID norms such as wearing face masks inside the aircraft can be treated as 'unruly' and deboarded ahead of departure. "If any passenger refuses to wear a mask or follow COVID-19 protocol in a flight mid-air, the airline may bar them from flying for a certain period of time by classifying them as 'unruly passengers'," the DGCA circular was quoted as stating in reports. However, when asked how hard it is to get passengers to wear their masks - and keep them on for the duration of the flight - most flight crew members have the same answer: "Very hard!" They tell us about all the strange excuses they have heard for not wearing a mask so far.

Easier to make passengers wear masks once you embarrass them: Airline crew

"PAR HUMARE STATE MEIN MASK MANDATE NAHI HAIN' IS AMONG TOP EXCUSES'