01 Jun 2020  |   04:49am IST

Time for tourism activities to restart in Goa: Minister

Health Minister says State has excellent opportunity to bounce back in tourism sector; Have to live with COVID-19

Team Herald 

PANJIM: With stringent COVID-19 testing measures being put in place in the State, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Sunday said that it is time that tourism activities, which is a major economic contributor, restart in the coastal State.

Since January till May 30, Goa had 70 confirmed cases of coronavirus, of which 42 people have recovered, with 28 active cases.

Stating that we have to live with COVID-19, Rane said that Goa has an excellent opportunity to bounce back in tourism sector.

“We need economic activity and Goa is known as tourist destination. People look at Goa as international tourism destination,” Rane said adding that tourism industry is the largest economy generating sector of the State.

“We are confident that as we have enhanced the testing measures under the guidance of chief minister,  I am confident Goa will bounce back as a tourist destination,” he commented.

“All depends on stringent measures and SOPs that we implement. We need to now move on and live with COVID-19,” he said.

Speaking about the present corona situation in the State, the Minister said that Goa has an excellent recovery rate as far as COVID-19 patients are concerned.

“Suddenly, there was a spike in number of cases which is reduced now. I am happy with our medical team and the way they are working,” he said.

Rane said that State has been wary about the people coming from Maharashtra, as majority of the patient detected positive for infection, had arrived from that State.

The State government had earlier announced that it will work out special Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) to restart tourism activities and entry of tourists into the State after June 1. 

Union Ministry of Home Affairs, while extending lockdown till June 30 in the contaminated zones, has allowed Unlock 1, in other zones, in phase manner, with opening up of religious places, malls, restaurants, from June 8.

Also, it has imposed no restrictions on inter-state movement of people and goods. However, the international travel continue to be suspended.