SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: In view of the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Delhi, the Goa government has decided to adopt the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of its counterpart Maharashtra for flights and trains coming from the national capital, which is currently under its third wave of infection.
Maharashtra is at present considering halting flight and train services from Delhi to Mumbai and other cities in the State due to the surge in coronavirus cases in Delhi. Since the last week of October, Delhi has seen a sudden rise in the number of infected cases, with over 6500 cases being reported daily.
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Saturday told media persons that directions have been issued to the Health Secretary to hold an emergency meeting to study the SOP adopted by Maharashtra and other States and to put in place protocols for people coming from Delhi.
He said that in view of rising cases in Delhi, it is very important that Goa remains alert and adopts a proper protocol for visitors from the National Capital. “We may not take very harsh steps but we have to see what SOPs are put in place at the airport. We have to see, how we will manage people who will be coming from Delhi. We have to take care of our people also,” he said.
Goa is currently reporting COVID-19 cases below 200 per day, with the positivity rate between 7 and 8 per cent. This is despite the fact, that the State is witnessing a surge in tourist arrival for last two weeks.
The State is also preparing for the peak tourist season with the Christmas and New Year festivities just a month ahead.
Rane also said that Goa will have to put SOPs in place to monitor migratory workers who will arrive after Chhat Puja.
“Now with end of Chath Puja, a large number of migratory workers will start coming. In view of the same, a note has been sent to the Secretary for immediate deliberation on protocols for labourers, SOPs for industries and for the State with regards to testing,” Rane said.
While SOPs can be introduced at the airport, the Minister said, that the government is still clueless on how to monitor the movement through the railways.
