Hara-kiri, a ceremonial act of
self-destruction by Samurai warriors, has come to embody all acts that lead to
chaos or trouble by the person committing it. In Goa, the recent handling of
the COVID situation, where Goa has dangerously loosened up, to allow an influx
of people from red zones, is nothing short of hara-kiri, feel many Goans
Should Goa allow inter-state travel
to Goa, without effective controls? As the Ribandar red zone returnee
case confirms, (Exclusively reported in Herald and Herald Café), the border
police failed to prevent him from escaping and Collector North Goa issued him
an inter-state travel pass from Rajasthan to Goa, AFTER he had already slipped
in and flouted all COVID rules. Is the government checking if those directed to
go to specific quarantine centers are actually going there? The Ribndar case
showed how the man went on a Goa romp without going to the Old Goa Residency
quarantine center. Is every train passenger alighting in Goa will be tested and
sent to quarantine? Finally, has the Ribandar red zone returnee case and the
eight COVOD positive detections made us believe that’s there’s a thin line
between a green and red zone and Goa has been too quick to open up. The
detection of seven cases at the border on Wednesday is only the tip of the
iceberg. Goans ask how many are slipping through without getting detected
These are issues and questions
plaguing Goans.
I am least confident in Goa’s
ability to maintain its green zone status in the face of unrestrained travel to
the state. We have clearly seen what happened with the Ribander red zone
returnee case and worse have observed the complete lack of accountability in
this individual being issued a travel pass despite flouting every rule.
Travelers continue to stream into Goa from neighboring states with serious
restrictions. Asymptomatic cases which remain contagious are not detected at
the borders and it’s a near certainty that several of those now being let into
the state are likely to test positive–
Jason Fernandes,
For now, interstate travel may be
permitted only for those who have their permanent residence registered on their
ID proof in Goa and who were stranded since the lockdown. Second preference may
be given to Goans , working and living in other parts of India or overseas who
have been laid off or stood down temporarily as well as retired could be
considered only if they have proof of own/family residence in Goa.
Opening borders for tourists and HNIs which seems to be due to lobbying from
the Tourism and Casino Cartels. I am not at all confident of the tests/checks
being foolproof at the station and certain that quarantine rule will be breached
– Gerson Rebello Semi Retired /Consultant from Betalbatim, South Goa
Goa cannot afford to allow
interstate travel at the point in time. If a case is detected in Goa the
person/s should be accompanied by the police to a quarantine centre. The
government can afford to get RPF to beat citizens but they cannot handle
one infected person? I don’t believe everyone alighting in Goa from a train
will be tested. It will just not happen. And yes, Goa has been too quick to
open up– Timothy Lobo
Inter state travel can be allowed
for Goans who are stranded outside for long, provided the protocol for the
process is adhered to. Train passengers should be allowed to travel only after
they are tested -ve before the travel– Abhay
Karande
I believe interstate travel is
required for essential activities. However anyone violating the rules should be
sent back immediately. There were cases in Calangute where quarantined persons
were roaming. Also what needs to be checked is unauthorised entry through
porous border. Any violation of conditions must entail an immediate deportation
so others will be more aware and take care and be serious. The entry of people
to Goa on trains is a huge issue and should not be allowed. There is no way to
handle a trainload safely– Blaise Costabir
The Ribandar case has proven to us
that you can sneak in and get away with it. I don’t really see us staying in a
green zone for very long. N fact I will say we are already back in the red zone
because of the seven cases– Nupura Hautamaki
Questions on the Ribandar red zone
returnee case are met with vague passing the buck responses
The
case in Ribandar where a long time resident of Goa, returned from Rajasthan
with documents stating that he was tested there and then proceeded to give the
authorities in Goa trouble when he drove off from the border without being
tested and moved around the state trying to dodge them, has shocked Goa. This
then begs the questions Has he been booked and if not why? Why has he not been
sent to the officially designated quarantine center? By what authority has he
turned someone else’s private bungalow to be quarantine center flouting
guidelines and finally why has the family not been quarantined. Café
spoke to the people that mattered in the administration.
Please
note what is common to all answers below: That any action in the case, is
someone else’s responsibility
We follow health dept’s directions. Ask police why he hasn’t
been booked
With regards to why he has not been booked, that question should
be directed to the police. The shop has been closed with regards to why
he has not been sent to an officially designated quarantine centre, he is now
in quarantine. Please understand we follow the instructions of the health
department. We cannot go on a witch hunt against someone for no rhyme or
reason. No one has raised any objections to this arrangement. Finally I
sent my Mamlatdar to talk to the family,.The person is in another place and is
in quarantine, there is no need for the family to be in quarantine too. If the
health department says so, it will be done.
HP Vivek IAS DY Collector Tiswadi
A complaint has been filed but can’t tell when action will be
taken in this matter
A complaint has been filed but he is now in-home quarantine and
we have to follow the modalities prescribed by the health department. I will
not be able to comment as to when action in this matter will be taken. The
family is not under quarantine and that is up to the health department to
decide–
Senior Police official who first spoke to Herald Café and then
said ‘Please don’t quote me anywhere in the story”
Decision on family quarantine has to be taken by Collector or
Deputy Collector
He
was tested and found negative but is now in-house quarantine, this is as per
the health protocol. With regards to the family the decision should be taken by
the collector and deputy collector after consultation with the health
department. I suppose with regards to him not having the valid papers,
what ever action that needs to be taken will depend on the police- Archana
Chodanker Mamlatdar
