(CNN) – In an effort to stem the tide of the coronavirus, Thailand has banned food, beverages and any other printed materials other than safety information cards aboard domestic flights. The airlines will have to comply with the regulations, or their criminal regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, may be punished.
This is the second time such a step has been taken. Thailand earlier banned food and drink during the flight on April 26, 2020, but on August 31, the ban was lifted.
Chula Sukmanop, director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), confirmed the measure to CNN.
“The cleaning time after each domestic flight stop is extremely short, as the drivers tend to make the fastest possible turnaround, and I think it is unlikely that the drivers will be able to clean all these items thoroughly. -Board would be a greater risk for exposure to viruses, ” he said.
This does not mean that passengers will have to find a way to kill time during the flight without reading material. They may take their own magazines or newspapers on board, but they will probably be asked to take the articles with them when they leave. The CAA ban applies to everything handed out on board, such as menus, tax-free catalogs (not a problem for domestic travel) or magazines during the flight.
Consumption of food or drink is also prohibited on domestic flights, even if passengers bring it on board, as masks must be worn at all times.
According to a release from the CAAT, cabin crew will be allowed to dispense water if passengers ask for it, which can happen in situations where someone, for example, needs water to take medicine.
Domestic air travel in Thailand currently accounts for about 40% of normal capacity.
The ruling took effect on December 31.