FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024
Stephen Dias
Similar to the rest of the world, in the state of Goa too, especially in Panjim, many businesses are finding it challenging to perform their routine duties due to Covid-19 which is spreading like anything.
Goa became a free-for-all during the Christmas and New Year celebrations with tourists being allowed to enter Goa freely without any SOPs in place in view of the pandemic. Such was the extent of licence on the beaches that the tourists blatantly flouted norms like social distancing, wearing of face masks and avoiding large groups of gatherings. However Lady Luck seemed to have smiled on the tourists in Goa and by and large the celebrations went about in gay abandon with everyone who came to Goa having enjoyed the time of their lives, without on the surface at least having been contracted Covid-19. It could be possible that many took away with them the virus on their return to their respective states. Hotels and restaurants as also shacks made roaring business but with all protocols thrown to the wind.
Such licence to operate should not have been given and the government has to impose some form of methodical protocols to operate tourism business as in future one may not be lucky to get away. The motive is not to criticize but to put in place a mechanism that will be a model way to prevent the proliferation of the Covid-19 while doing judicious tourism business.
Though private businesses are not attached to any government institution they are needed for their services and also need to earn their living. These include speciality doctors like Opthalmologists, Dentists, ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) specialists and other professionals working in the cosmetic field, in hair cutting salons, etc, where there is a need to work in close proximity with customers. While their dedication to their service is laudable, any lapse in following the best practices can lead to contamination and the virus being spread to multiple customers.
You may think I am exaggerating but it so happens that there has been a case in the medical profession in Goa recently where a Opthalmologist was found to be Covid-19 positive and was later admitted to a well-known local hospital. The government needs to trace the virus both backwards and forwards i.e. find who gave him the virus and find who he gave it to (if any) in turn. I'm not feeling very confident about this contact tracing!
While people cannot avoid consulting doctors for their eyes, ears and teeth, I'm wondering if everyone should just make their peace with long hair and long beards. Hair cutting can be dangerous in these times. If instruments like scissors and blades and trimming gadgets are not sterilised it may lead to the spread of the virus. To say nothing of breathing in the virus in a closed atmosphere which lots of unknown people frequent. The barber may try and save himself with masks but it remains a risk. However, as he needs income to survive this risk becomes one worth taking for him. For the customers, less so! Avoiding a hair cut only means they will look bad and will have to reduce the photos they click of themselves!
