Team Herald
PANJIM: With decks for the disembarkation of 189 Goan seafarers on ship off Mumbai, following the protocol issued by the Director General of Shipping (DG), Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said that the decision to disembark seafarers stranded in foreign countries, would be taken by May 3.
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The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday had finalised the SOP for sign in and sign off of seafarers on ships, paving the way for disembarking of Goan seafarers stranded off Mumbai coast in three different ships. Ministry said that DG (Shipping) on Wednesday released the detailed protocol.
Addressing media persons, Sawant said that the decision on the seafarers, who are stranded on various cruise liners and ships in foreign countries would be taken once international flights start. “The decision is expected by May 3. We are following up the matter with the Central government,” he said.
Sawant said that signing off of 189 seafarers – 93 on Discovery, 66 on Karnika and 23 on Angriya – would be soon after DG Shipping protocol was released. “The DG is in final stage of drafting the protocol. Once it is done, the process to disembark the seafarers will begin,” he said earlier on Wednesday.
Sawant said that seafarers on the vessel would undergo the COVID-19 test for confirmation that he or she is positive for the virus. “They would be tested in the ship itself. It will take two hours for the result. If the person tests positive, he or she would be shifted directly to the COVID hospital Margao, and those negative would be put under 14 days facility quarantine,” he said. “After 14 days, another test would be conducted,” he added.
The Chief Minister said that all the required medical facilities are being set up at Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) to screen the seafarers.
He said that the next phase will be to get the Goans stranded in Indian Ocean and then in the deep sea.
The Chief Minister criticised political opponents for trying to politicize the issue and requested them not to indulge in cheap politics, when the State is facing a disaster in form of the COVID-19 pandemic.
