Team Herald
MARGAO: The Goan Seafarers Association of India has expressed disappointment over the order of State government deciding to charge the seafarers for the quarantine services, while returning to the State.
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Founding member of GSAI Dixon Vaz said that the seafarers are very much disappointed with the latest order wherein the State government has decided to charge the seafarers for quarantine services for 14 days when they arrive in State.
“As per the standard operating procedure (SOP), the Ministry of Home Affairs clearly says that if a person tests negative for COVID-19 after the arrival in the country he or she will be stamped for home quarantine. However, in Goa, the government has set up their own rules that they will be sent for mandatory paid quarantine which is totally against the WHO guidelines,” pointed out Dixon.
He requested the government to rethink on the decision as this will be a forced burden on the shipping companies in this very difficult time in the industry.
“Also, it is not fair as all the remaining Indian seafarers will be sent for home quarantine in their respective States and only the State government forcing the companies to pay for the mandatory quarantine services,” he lamented.
Dixon also said that this order is very discriminatory and unfair for the seafarers or Indians arriving in their own country.
