Team Herald
vasco: To intensify the testing facility for COVOD19, smart kiosks were being installed at Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) on Wednesday among other areas.
Goa’s Health Minister Vishwajit Rane tweeted about the unloading of four smart kiosks at MPT, which will be used for safe sample collection and to check for COVID19.
“Under the leadership and guidance of Secretary Health Nila Mohanan, along with officials of DHS led by Dr DSa, Dean of GMC Dr Bandekar, working late night and overtime to ensure readiness with testing facilities/kiosks made available at the port and subsequently placing testing facilities at the borders and other locations,” tweeted Rane.
In another tweet, he said, “Our Goan seafarers will be thoroughly checked before they exit the port and are brought in the state. Further quarantine measures will be decided by the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. We are working hard and round the clock to keep Goans safe”.
Rane further elaborated about the processes involved with the smart kiosks and said,
“This robust, swift sample collection method will help us test the seafarers coming to the State with utmost safety. The health worker seated inside the kiosks will be completely isolated from the patient.”
He further mentioned that the kiosk is equipped with IR temperature guns; and that the partition on the kiosk has a pair of replaceable gloves, sanitising dispenser and sample drop box for safe sample collection.
When contacted about the same, MPT official Jerry Clement said, “MPT has been asked to see about such arrangements. As of now we are just examining the request as per the SOP prepared by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and will have to make the arrangements as required.”
When asked if there was any information regarding any cruises coming to the MPT port, he said they have not been intimated so far about any cruise liners coming to Goa at this point. However, Clement added that MPT is getting prepared in case of any such ship comes and that they will follow the MHA guidelines.
