Party in the air: They married on a flight with 161 guests to escape Covid restrictions

NEW DELHI (AFP) .- A An Indian couple chartered a plane to get married in the air, in front of 161 guests, and thus bypass restrictions against the coronavirus on the ground, although in any case they violated the measures decreed for thefts, according to reports in the Indian press. Official sources also clarified that the country’s civil aviation authority had ordered open an investigation and suspended the crew.

In India – which surpassed the threshold of 300,000 coronavirus deaths on Monday and is second in number of infected since the start of the pandemic, with more than 27 million infections – most states allow the presence of Maximum 50 guests for weddings.

The couple, whose identities have not been disclosed, said “Yes, I want it” Sunday, when the company plane SpiceJet traveling to Bangalore was flying over the Minakshi templo, in Madurai, in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, according to the newspaper Hindustan Times. Videos and photos of the onboard celebration that circulated on social media showed guests wearing flower necklaces and taking off selfies.

Contrary to the rules in force for civil aviation, most of the guests did not wear masks, nor did they respect the rules of social distancing. According to the Indian press, the general directorate that controls civil aviation has asked Spicejet to adopt measures against the newly married couple and their guests, that it could be condemned not to travel by plane.

“The agent and guest passengers have been informed in detail, in writing and orally, of the social distancing and safety rules to be followed, in accordance with Covid guidelines. Both at the airport and on the plane, throughout the trip, ”the Spicejet spokesperson defended himself to Indian media, adding: “Despite repeated requests and warnings, passengers did not follow the guidelines. The company will adopt the appropriate measures, in accordance with the legislation ”.

The irregular situation comes at a time when several Indian states have imposed strict confinements over the past six weeks, in an effort to curb a virulent wave of Covid-19 that has collapsed hospitals.

THE NATION