FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024
Team Herald
MARGAO: The seafarers’ panel consisting of Goan Seamen Association of India President Frank Viegas and Captain Venzy Viegas on Monday met Dabolim Airport Director Gagan Malik and discussed over the preparations for the first charter flight scheduled to arrive from Italy with the Goan seafarers from the Costa vessels.
Malik informed that the airport authorities are ready to receive the charter flights and the State government would take the responsibility of doing the COVID rapid tests and the results would take atleast 6 to 8 hours. The airport can accommodate maximum 200 seafarer passengers in the sitting area where they will wait for their results.
The Airport Director further mentioned that the airport could handle one flight every 12 hours just because of the fact that the passengers have to be kept waiting after the immigration till the COVID test results are come.
Captain Venzy discussed how a Green Corridor immigration system to be implemented where the plane to be parked close to runway/apron. The seafarers to get down from the flight and do all the procedures without entering the airport terminal and directly boarding the buses which will be parked inside the airport.
However, Malik showed great positiveness towards the idea but was helpless to implement as he had Central guidelines and protocols to execute.
GSAI President Frank discussed on setting up extra desk/kiosk in order to expedite the rapid testing process. The duo also handed the seafarers COVID Contingency Plan Stage-2 which mentions how a Green Corridor arrangement to be made at the airport.
“It seems like the State Health Department should find a solution to get results for COVID test in two hours max due to which the flight handling capacity of the airport can be increased,” said Captain Venzy.
