The
numbers are not flattering. It is very obvious. As of Saturday, there were
around 2151 cases of which 1271 have recovered but worryingly 11 are dead with
three dead today. The numbers have been increasing every day by leaps and
bounds. These numbers are disquieting given the size of Goa. In such a
scenario, the government decided to give the tourism industry permission to
open, subject to them following the sop’s developed by the health ministry.
However, given the present situation on the ground, it is quite obvious there
is growing unease in several quarters about this decision. Tourists, if they
came to Goa, falling sick due to the virus would be very bad public relations
for the industry and take it back a couple of years. At the same time, how long
can you keep the industry shut or maimed?
Like
everything in Goa, there was no shortage of opinions. Vincent Ramos, Area
Director Taj Goa felt the government had done enough to help fight the
pandemic. He said “We have had the least number of cases of all the states. In
addition, recovery rates are higher. The government has done a very good job.
We are happy with the testing protocols in place.”.
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The
President of TTAG, Nilesh Shah felt it was important to remember that tourists
would not come in until they felt safe while staying in a hotel in Goa. The
decision to open hotels now, he felt was a good one because in July the
footfall was very low and it would give time to the staff to understand the
protocols and follow them. Then when the season commenced in October, they
would be ready. With regards to the testing protocol, he felt it would be nice
if the results of the tests were known with the hour. This would then help
hoteliers take the right decision.
Jacob
John, GM of Whispering Palms felt the decision to allow the opening of the
hotels was a show of support to the industry. It was also meant to be a signal
to the world that Goa was open for business. He said everyone in the
business was aware that it would be difficult to attract business because there
were no connecting flights. There would be some footfall post-August, he felt.
This, however, would be by way of tourists taking advantage of weekend
packages. He felt it would be nice if the government could come up with
something similar to the voucher system promoted by the government in the UK
which sponsored a percentage of everyone’s bill in a restaurant or hotel. He
felt a tax cut would be of great help to the industry. With regards to the
protocols in place he felt it was not fair to blame the government for the
increase in the number of cases. It was fine but people had to just follow the
protocols.
Peter
Silveira of Nazri Resort, however, felt that since the number of cases was
increasing by the day, the hoteliers should hold on before opening their
properties because their staff would also be exposed to the virus. He said “I
have a 120-room property and I can only operate 25 rooms. The pool, the gym
will be shut. I will have to employ security personnel to guard the facility. I
will have to pay for kitchen staff present in three shifts. This will all be
done on the assumption that tourists will come which is not definite in this
situation. The guests in this situation will be in their rooms, Then, of
course, there is the fear the guests could be exposed to the virus. It’s way
too much. I think we should stay put and wait it out.”
Rajesh
Khanna who ran a restaurant for years in Goa and is an outdoor sports
stakeholder in Himachal Pradesh now was more forthright. He said
“The debate should start and end at the right testing n entry protocols
followed by sensible SOPs to keep from community spread besides making the
local community stakeholders. The question to ask is whether the state has the
ability to handle 100-300 additional cases a month that slip through and can
these people get good health care under some kind of insurance scheme. In
addition, also a cut off for an indefinite shut down of the industry based on
that or the first clear hint of community spread. Weigh these options n take a
clear decision based on eliminating or working at the weakest link in the
plan”.
Blunt
and to the point. Ravi of Drishti, the social organisation felt no program
could work unless one had an ok from the local community. He felt that would
then change the game and the pressure would come back on the administration to
deliver. Once a community wants something they will elect in or out the person
who can deliver or not. This would mean local communities were not
misled due to a lack of correct information or at times simple fear of
losing control. He ended by saying “Before a program is fired for approval, we
need at least 04-06 months of a ground-level campaign and key community
leaders buy-in/support.
Speaking
about the testing protocols, Anand Chatterjee GM Planet Hollywood felt “ It
would be great if fast testing stations are set up in all entry points like the
airport, port, road border, railway stations, etc in many numbers. That will
ensure that no one enters the state without testing and there is no scope of
the person being in the vicinity of others while she/he awaits the result.
Currently, the test report comes after 12 to 24 hours leaving a scope of
transmission. These fast testing booths can have advertisement options and I am
sure, hotels and other industries will participate in reducing the cost burden
on Government”.
It is
obvious there is much to be done on the ground before the first tourist whether
domestic or international comes to the state. It remains to be seen if all the
parties involved collaborate to ensure their stay will be safe and enjoyable.
