Team Herald
PANJIM: Goan crew members on board three ships disembarked at Mumbai port on Thursday, ending the impasse on their return to Goa.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, early Thursday tweeted that the disembarkation of Goan crew members on the ships had begun. “I am happy to inform that sign-off of seafarers on Marella has started at Mumbai port. Karnika vessel is on anchorage and Angriya vessel is docked. Goan seafarers will be tested at Mumbai port, after which they will be brought to Goa in accordance with the protocol/SOP of the GOI,” he said in the tweet.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs had issued Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for signing off of 189 Goans seafarers – 93 on Discovery, 66 on Karnika and 23 on Angriya.
The seafarers underwent a COVID-19 test on the ship followed by another test after docking at the Mumbai port. They will be brought to Goa and tested yet again. “If the person tests positive, he /she would be shifted directly to the COVID hospital, Margao, and those negative would be put under 14 days facility quarantine. After 14 days, another test would be conducted,” the CM had said on Wednesday.
NRI Commissioner Narendra Sawaikar said the protocols to bring the seafarers are being followed. He declined to state on the possibility of bringing other stranded seafarers by special flights stating protocols have to be followed.
“As on date, all travel is kept on hold. Central government’s advisory will be followed and thereafter acted upon. When they sign off, further procedures will be as per the SOP issued by the Union ministry. Accordingly, the State government will act,” he said.
The NRI Commissioner has also been receiving requests from students and Goans working in several other countries for evacuation. Sawaikar said they are put in touch with the concerned Embassy that has been giving updates of the situation. “Till May 3, travel is banned,” he reiterated. There are also instances wherein some people travelled abroad, not knowing of the lockdown due to the danger of COVID-19.
As the State has geared up to test and quarantine the seafarers, the State Executive Committee (SEC) discussed a plan to test and quarantine incoming seafarers, as per the SOP issued by the MHA. Health Department has also set up a testing facility at MPT. Another facility has been created at Patradevi for those who might come by road from Mumbai.
“The Health Department intends to complete the testing within 24 hours and these seafarers shall remain in the ship till the results of the tests are clear. If tested negative, they should be shifted to an institutional quarantine facility for 14 days, and if tested positive, they should be shifted to COVID-19 hospital. The cabinet has further decided that the payment for their lodging and food at the institutional quarantine should be made by the employer company,” a government release states.
Health Secretary Nila Mohanan said that the priority to deploy kiosks (to take the samples safely) has changed after the MHAs clearance for the sign on/sign off of seafarers. In the first stage, four kiosks would be put up at MPT. After taking the sample by swabs, the testing will be done at a testing facility at Bicholim, being set up at present. The department has worked out a testing protocol with MPT. She also said that anyone who wants to sign on, needs to get their tests done by the private agencies at their own cost.
