One can say that the government was
at sea, working out the modalities of bringing our seafarers home. At the same
time, all safety protocols had to be maintained so that all of Goa’s efforts in
keeping the state COVID free, do not get derailed. Most Goans wanted the
sailors to be back but added a word or two of caution about the need for the
exercise to be totally safe
Seafarers from the vessel
were brought and kept in a hotel in Mumbai. The government is now asking for
money from the company to bring them back to Goa and quarantine them. Instead,
they should have brought them to Goa directly. Information given by the
government is not clear enough for processing and safeguarding the seafarers.
As it is the seafarers were quarantined in the particular ship for almost a
month, with a temperature check that would take place every day, social
distancing was maintained by them, and they are COVID free– Ashwini Franco, wife of seafarer
I strongly believe the Goan sailors
have to be brought back home. They however will have to be quarantined and
follow all the rules. We have to be careful there should not be any laxity in
following the necessary procedures. We have not seen the last of this virus. We
have to be on a guard- Savio
Messias President TTAG
I think the whole issue about these
stranded sailors is a tempest in a teacup. They are Goan and have a right to be
home. Recently, the Indian government offered to rescue Pakistani citizens from
Wuhan- surely, they can rescue Goan’s already here. I believe some of these
sailors have already been quarantined before but if out of abundant caution the
government needs to quarantine them again that can easily be achieved without
much fanfare. As for educating them on social-distancing and viral protocol, I
am sure they are quite aware. These are well-educated sailors who given their
present situation are highly incentivized to take proper precautions with
regards to their health and safety- Jason
Fernandes Entrepreneur
Yes, they should be brought to Goa
as they are our own brothers. They should be put in quarantine for 14 days as
per procedure and they should then follow all ministry guidelines like social
distancing and wearing of masks which is applicable to the rest of us– Avelino De Sa. President DRAG
Any Goan sailor stuck in any part
of the world and not getting any medical treatment or humanitarian treatment
during the global pandemic should be brought back to Goa. It is important the
protocol of being kept in institution quarantine should be observed and not
home quarantine. Whatever tests that have to be conducted over the due course
of time should be done- Tirthparasad
Nagvekar Entrepreneur
Getting our stranded seamen back to
Goa should be the topmost priority of the government. It is anguishing that it
is taking so long. The government also needs to act to see that many Goans who
were touring overseas and some students too who are stuck in various foreign
countries are able to come back home soon.
Our seafarers must be rushed back
to Goa after following all the laid down COVID-19 health and other protocols.
Every effort must be made to protect and provide for them especially when they
have no means to do so themselves. With enhanced planning, determination, and
urgent national and international co-operation and facilities to observe strict
medical and health protocols on arrival there is no reason why the safe passage
of our citizens cannot be achieved soon– Adv.
Aires Rodrigues, Lawyer and activist
