The new variant has evoked varying reactions from governments across the world. In India
the government at the centre put in place certain rules and regulations. But
the state of Maharashtra decided to come up with rules and regulations that
were very tough. These rules and regulations could affect Goans travelling to
Goa from abroad.
The Maharashtra government has made it
mandatory a 7-day institutional quarantine for passengers coming from ‘at risk’
countries. “From December 1, arriving passengers from high-risk countries will
be segregated from those arriving from low-risk countries. Adequate RT-PCR
testing facility in international arrivals in form of 48 registration counters
and 40 sampling booths will be set up,” Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
International Airport said in a statement. “In addition to normal RT-PCR, 30 Rapid
PCR machines are also available for the passengers having connecting onward
flights with short connecting time. This facility will be upscaled further if
required,” they said. “For passengers who haven’t done pre-booking of RT-PCR
test online, QR codes displayed at various locations in the arrival corridor
will be placed. Physical forms for RT-PCR registration is also made available
to passengers on board with help of airlines which they can fill before
disembarking from a flight,” the airport authority said. The state government
added that RT-PCR tests will be conducted on flyers from “at-risk” countries
thrice – on the second, fourth and seventh days after their arrival.
Now a large number of Goans visit the state to spend Christmas
and the New Year with relatives and friends. Since there are no direct flights
to Goa from Europe, it would mean a minimum of 7 days quarantine if they are
coming from a at risk country which the UK is presently. The state had also
made RT-PCR negative test reports mandatory for all domestic passengers.
December is peak season as far as the tourist season is concerned but it also
the time when a large number of Goans return home for the festival season.
Conal Lobo originally from Mumbai but now based in Goa usually entertains his
brother who flies in from the UK during Christmas. He said “He has had enough
of the lockdowns in the UK. He thought it would be easier here but the
Maharashtra rules are very tight. He would have to spend those days in
isolation. He comes for three weeks and he can’t spend a week in isolation. He
has decided to cancel. My parents are very disappointed. I suppose we will have
to continue with the zoom calls over the festive season.”
There could be hesitation even on the part of those who live in
Goa and were scheduled to visit Mumbai on work. Aadore Mukherjee a casting
Director was contemplating visiting Mumbai on the 10th but now these
restrictions following the emergence of this virus had made her rethink her
plans. Dr Annie Fernandes had also planned a visit to Mumbai but the variant
made her change her plans. Zafar Rais who is in digital marketing cancelled a
shoot involving fifteen people flying in from Mumbai at the last minute.
Personally it also meant his parents having to rethink their plans to spend
Christmas and New Year with him which was the plan.
Patrick Saldanha who flits between Mumbai and Goa was looking
forward to spending time with family and close relatives all of whom fly down
from the UK and other parts of Europe. Now with the new variant having
developed roots in those countries it would mean quarantine in Mumbai. He said
“These are certainly strange times and one understands that such precautions
have to be taken. It is better to be safe than sorry.”
Dr Lloyd Desouza whom practices in Calangute said it was very
good the Maharashtra Government realized the importance of the emergence of
this variant. He said “It is wonderful the state government is doing genome
sequencing of any test that emerges positive. They will then send it for study.
This is something all the states should be doing. Just one state doing it will
not work. My worry is that there is a lack of political will to take the hard
decisions. And the injections that were given to the medical community in Jan
or Feb, is it still effective now in protecting those on the forefront. The
medical community will have to face the brunt yet again.” Another doctor who
did not want to be named said no tough decisions would be taken now because of
the forthcoming elections and the start of the festival season. He laughed and
said perhaps after the elections the hard decisions would be taken.
Shekhar Salkar said the government making all the decisions
would not help; people would have to take the responsibility and behave
accordingly and ensure all the protocols were maintained.
With
a variant having made its presence known it would be prudent to follow all the
rules and regulations. Yes, people are disappointed they will not be able to
meet their loved ones this festival season but it would be better to be safe
rather than sorry.
