The
past twenty-odd days have witnessed a surge of active cases which stands at 292
at the time of this edition going to press. All this has happened after the
center decided to restart open up train and flight survives through Goa. The
decision to stop mandatory testing people entering the state has not helped
matters.
While we have been gloating that Goa was in the green zone, we
have our own doubts. The so-called survey done initially was a mockery. People
are even questioning whether the state is hiding data. The question being
raised is whether the first harsh lockdown was in the right direction. Of
course, it is sought to be justified by claiming that if lockdown was not
imposed that numbers would have soared. But how does that justify the “unlocking”
with the graph on the rise? Economic health cannot take precedence over
people’s health. The opening of the borders “officially” has allowed a deluge
of people from red zones to enter Goa. Yet, unofficially (and with shady means)
many entered the state unchecked. The drivers and helpers of vehicles entering
Goa with essential goods and commodities were never quarantined- may have been
checked at borders, but they surely have also been carriers. It is out in the
open that many are asymptomatic and this poses a greater danger. Unless there
is some hidden agenda, why should Goa Government dither to seal the borders
except for essential goods, before the pandemic blows out of hand?- Carlos
Alvares Ferreira, Advocate, Former Advocate General of Goa, Panjim
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With no COVID19 medical remedy insight and given our practical
limitations to handle a major blow-out situation, it is highly risky to open
wide the gates of our tiny state. People allowed in should be only those that
need to get back to their families here or those that are brought in to aid the
COVID19 fight. No tourists or business/work/casual travellers for at least
another 2-3 months. Public health remains at a greater risk today than
businesses- Vincent Toscano, Managing Partner, Uzoorba
Technologies, Chorao
We cannot shut Goa down as all Indian states are interdependent
on each other. So all travel will happen. What we can do is test all the
arrivals and act on positive cases.
We ourselves have to be careful wearing a mask at all times,
avoiding crowded spaces and maintaining social distancing, not touching
surfaces in public spaces, and working from home as far as possible- Bharat
Kamat, Chairman at Indian Green Building Council Goa Chapter, Mormugao
If we follow the protocols we will be in control. It is a
bad flu that can take your life or you will survive. Plagues have come
and gone but people have survived, we have to continue with our lives and
precautionary measures have to be taken. Shutting down a place is not a
solution but working smartly is the solution. I think it is also important to
talk to the people before initiating something instead of just imposing it. If
you want to restart the economy and you want to open everything then do so but
ensure, everything is as per a checklist. The railways should help transport
migrants out but not bring any tourists in and allow only two airlines so that
it is filtered and a check is maintained- Cecille
lee Rodrigues, Social Activist Taleigao
I am not saying it’s a wrong decision but this should have been
taken not now but after monsoon that too with proper reviews on the
virus. At present, it is better to suspend interstate travel unless it is
an emergency. The state deciding to open restaurants is fine but they should
take all the precautions and follow all the necessary sops–
Mangesh Gaonkar Finance professional, Panjim
It’s
true that COVID cases have increased due to interstate travel as well as people
coming from abroad. Lockdown cannot be continued for long as it is important to
move the wheels of the economy -which is also very important for the people at
large. The government has done hand holding with lockdown to tell us to do’s
and don’ts. Now we the people have to be responsible and fulfill our
responsibilities to safeguard ourselves, our families and the society- Ravi
Gupta, Business Development Consultant, Porvorim
I don’t believe it was the wisest decision to allow interstate
travel nationwide, not just in Goa. Essentials services and goods yes, but
leisure movement of people should have been restricted. I cannot say for
certain if this however is the prime cause of the spike in Goa; the Vasco
(Mangor Hill) incidents were neither plane nor train dependent. The spike in
cases will increase mental and physical stress levels across the state since we
have enjoyed green zone status till now. The economic ramifications are however
tough to comment on, there would be pros and cons considering the huge
diversity of business within the state of Goa– Dr. Neil Andrade,
Dentist, Panjim
Opening of borders for the people of Goa to come back to their
main homes was understandable, but letting in the tourist was a bad decision as
it was not essential at this point of time, where we had to focus on bending
the curve of transmission– Shephan Shaikh,
Businesswoman, Mapusa
