PANJIM: The State is gradually overcoming the low-phase of tourism with unprecedented arrivals of domestic visitors but faces a major threat of possible increase in COVID-19 cases, for the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) laid down by the government are thrown to the wind.
The 50 per cent capacity rule at commercial and entertainment venues by and large are not being adhered to while also, tourists roam unmasked and fail to maintain safe distance at public places.
The State has been witnessing several such incidents with the rise in tourist traffic in Goa. The sight, on one hand is encouraging tourism business; it has raised concern over the safety of citizens.
Herald spoke to a few locals who described how the SOPs are taken lightly in the State. The latest example, being of a shooting around Divja Circle and Panjim Church Square on Saturday, where the crew was without masks and obviously no social distancing.
“It was not just the crew but every person eager to watch the shooting did not bother to maintain safe distance or wear masks. It is the duty of the production team as well as authorities to ensure SOPs are followed, which was clearly missing here,” Shraddha Kamat, a city resident told Herald.
Similarly, visitors at shopping venues, beach, eatery outlets and other public places are blatantly violating the COVID-19 norms, most of them being tourists.
“Most of these shopping stores and malls are overcrowded. Temperature checking and COVID-19 appropriate behaviour is for namesake purpose,” legal advisor with a corporate firm, Alwyn Mendes said.
The State, which aims to complete 100 per cent double dose vaccination by October 31, has already gone through the worst second wave of COVID-19 wherein daily count would also cross 4,000 and deaths even close to 100.
“SOPs have to be in place. The police teams are booking mask-less persons but implementation has to be stricter. Presence of police should increase. We have learnt our lesson and with tourism being our bread and butter, we should not take risks. Those who are doing so are foolish and we are taking strong action against them,” President of Goa Hotels and Restaurant Association Gaurish Dhond said.
Hundreds of tourists are entering Goa every day. The occupancy, according to the tourism stakeholders has reached a satisfactory level. According to Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), average occupancy is more than 60 per cent, which shoots up to around 90 per cent during the weekends.
Dhond added that various hotels are running full and with starred hotels reducing daily tariff accompanied by good offers, check-ins are quite good. “A lot of events are also taking place,” he added.
TTAG President Nilesh Shah said that last minute conferences are also adding advantage to Goa’s economy. About the safety norms, he maintained that it should be strictly followed.
“The industry is following the norms. COVID-19 is here to stay and we have to conduct business with COVID-19 around. It is challenging and also a challenge to follow the SOP. Everyone has to learn to take care of themselves,” Shah said.
Majority of the stakeholders in the tourism industry, he said, are double vaccinated and in the coming days, further doors to tourism will be open.
