After the lockdowns and several restrictions that were put in place, the State has now opened the borders for unrestricted travel between States and opened bars after over five months. Both are indications that the State is beginning to appreciate the fine balance between the health of the people and the health of the economy. COVID-19 has dealt Goa one of the worst blows that the State have endured. Already 17,000 and counting persons have got infected by the virus and the dealth toll is now galloping towards 200. Safeguarding the health of the people was and should always be the priority, but at this moment the health of the economy was also important as many more have been suffering from the closure of industry and the resultant effects.
The manner in which the industry and tourism stakeholders welcomed the decision is a clear indication that they were waiting for this to happen so that they could get back to full productivity and bring the economy back on the rails. Restricitions at the border that under the State standard operating procedure (SOP) meant that a person entering either cam with a COVID-19 negative certificate got within 48 hours before entry or pay Rs 2000 and get tested or undergo a 14-day home quarantine meant that business travel was affected. Primarily, industry explained that those who travelled regularly were entrepreneurs who have manufacturing units in neighbouring states, executives from industrial units to their sister concerns across the border and workers from across the border employed in industrial estates near the State borders.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
What happens now, with the State borders opened for free travel, as per the mandate of the Centre, there is no need for any COVID negative certificate or testing or quarantine. This will be especially beneficial to workers who cross the border on a daily basis. These are not a small number and the work in industry and offices. It was their jobs at stake as long as the restrictions were in place. Industry had already been complaining that since the Centre has advised the States to drop restrictions on movement across borders, the standard operating porcedure of the Goa government wasn’t helping improve economic activity in the State.
The lifting of restrictions at the border and also the opening of bars gives the tourism industy a boost a month ahead of the season’s opening. Though hotels had been thrown open in July, there was very little travel happening and bookings were at the minimum. Tourism insiders were quick to point out that Goa lost to States like Rajasthan that opened up earlier. Similarly with bars that had remained shut despite restaurants opening up. Allowing bars to open gives the tourism industry another boost and allows the bar owners to get back to business. They too had been demanding that the bars be allowed to open for business.
The government has done its bit in lifting the restrictions. It is now the responsibility of the industry and tourism stakeholders to ensure that guidelines and social distancing norms are followed. Doing business is good for the health of the economy, following guidelines is good for the health of the people. If this is not done, then all the gains of lifting the restrictions will be lost. The government has announced the the Indian Super League and the International Film Festival will be help without spectators. There is still time for these events and it is just possible that some more relaxations can come until then. That, however, will depend almost entirely on how the COVID-19 situation progress – whether it improves or worsens. And that is in the hands of the people.
