Team Herald
PORVORIM: With a sudden spike in COVID-19 cases, the Goa government has decided to release a fresh Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on Saturday while ruling out restrictions on the movement of travellers and lockdown.
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“A new SOP will be issued tomorrow (Saturday),” Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told the House on day-3 of the monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly on Friday.
Sawant was responding to a Calling Attention motion moved by Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte raising concern about the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the State. Following assurances from Health Minister Vishwajit Rane that SOPs are changed periodically, depending on the COVID-19 situation, followed by the CM claiming that SOPs are strictly followed, Khaunte demanded to know “where is the new SOP?”
The Independent MLA said that the government has failed to implement any SOPs to control the COVID-19 situation in the State, resulting in an increase of cases after several weeks of a controlled situation. To this, CM informed the House that a new SOP will be released on Saturday.
The opposition benches, during the discussion alleged lack of protocols to control incidents like beach parties and State-approved exhibitions. They also pointed out to rapid increase in cases in Goa’s two adjoining States while the tourist State is lacking in taking effective measures.
“They (some including high-profile personalities in Maharashtra and Karnataka) have second and third homes in Goa. They descend when we (Goa) are already in distress,” Khaunte said, asking the government to reply on the protocol to restrict entry of passengers, particularly those coming from COVID-19 hit areas.
The MLA also observed that the government has failed to implement any curbs or protocols when the COVID-19 is set to hit the peak in the month of April; and sought to know action plan to handle the situation when double mutant spreads. He was supported by Goa Forward Party (GFP) MLA Vijai Sardesai.
Rane, through his reply made it clear that government will not impose lockdown or restrict movement of people/goods. However, a review could be taken in a week. “Let us wait for 7 days on how the trend is. We will take appropriate action based on the number of cases. We are taking every step to curtail the cases. We are also talking to the hotels, restaurants (business establishments) to ensure SOPs are followed,” he said adding, “It is difficult to restart a business. We are still better than bigger States like Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala. I feel we will be able to keep cases under control.”
On making COVID-19 negative certificate mandatory for travellers, the Health Minister pointed out to “logistics nightmare”. “If we start imposing the restrictions for air passengers then what about those coming to Goa by rail and roads? They are in large numbers. It’s going to be a logistical nightmare,” he said. He also raised another point that there was no guarantee the certificate which passengers bring along are really genuine.
Khaunte while agreeing that “economy should not suffer” was quick to add that “Goans should not die” due to such a policy.
The minister told the House that any suggestions can be placed before the expert committee that comprises of doctors.
