Panjim: Following demands for stringent SOPs for tourists entering the State, Ports Minister Michael Lobo ruled out making COVID-19 certificate mandatory aka Maharashtra kind of SOPs, saying it would kill the tourism industry, which is just coming out of debts.
“We, the State cannot take the risk of going back in lockdown mode by imposing stringent SOPs,” he told reporters, when asked to comment on the influx of tourists from hotspots of COVID19 pandemic.
He said that the State has already taken several measures like increasing the penalty for not wearing masks from Rs 100 to Rs 200.
“There is no need of stringent SOPs. If we demand COVID negative certificates, we will go back to zero,” he said, while adding that tourists will be thoroughly checked with thermal guns at airport and railway stations.
Meanwhile, following agitations by various groups on double tracking and anti-coal, Lobo said the State Cabinet has discussed the matter thoroughly
“The Chief Minister will take a decision on double tracking in next eight days on the burning issues. We have told the CM the projects like the highway at Mollem is not required now so why go ahead,” he said.
Lobo added that the CM has informed railways to stop all work on double tracking.
