Discontent at Maharashtra’s mandatory RT PCR test on arrivals goes viral

PANJIM/ DABOLIM: The Goa Tourism industry reacted with alarm at the mandatory RT-PCR test, introduced by Maharashtra, irrespective of vaccination status for travelers from other states.  Maharashtra had also mandated institutional quarantine for passengers coming to the state from countries “at-risk”. The Goa Tourism industry labeled the mandatory test and quarantine as ‘harsh and unrealistic’.

In the case of passengers from other states, a negative RT-PCR test within 48 hours of arrival would have to have been compulsory without exceptions, Maharashtra govt had said. This would cause not only a lot of hindrance to international passengers but would affect our own Goans who would be travelling to Goa for Christmas and back.

Under pressure, the Maharashtra govt deferred its decision of making RT-PCR a must for domestic travelers, regardless of their vaccination status, according to Health Minister Rajesh Tope. In fact, the Central Govt asked Maharashtra to “align” its rules with SOPs announced by Union Health Ministry.

TTAG, the premier tourism body, said cases in Goa are at an all-time low. There is a need to open the economy. Govt of India should put uniform restrictions. TTAG president Nilesh Shah said, “Tourism is suffering due to antics of each state. It will harm the economy overall, especially in states such as Goa who depend on tourism. “If we have to quarantine charter tourists, no one will come to get locked in hotels.  There is hype about new Covid variant Omicron and people are getting panicky,” he underlined.

He added that the new variant cannot escape the RT-PCR Test. This means the applicable vaccines will be effective, Shah said. Wherever there are red zones due precautions need to be taken, he emphasized. 

Dr. Shekhar Salkar of Manipal Hospital Panjim told Herald that though people were saying that the Omicron virus would not reach India, it is already here. Two cases have been found in Bangalore which is not far from Goa. Our borders are porous and it can come from Karwar or Belgaum since we are interconnected with Karnataka. Patients, students, and others travel across the border. “Now we have to be careful since this variant is more infective. It is six to seven times more infective compared to the Delta variant of Covid virus But it is less lethal,” Dr. Salkar warned. We must be extremely careful and resort to Covid appropriate behavior such as the use of masks, washing our hands and observing social distancing, etc. Let’s be more responsible, he advised.