PANJIM: While the State government remains indecisive over imposing COVID-19 restrictions amidst ongoing peak tourist season, the Department of Tourism has asked the hoteliers to ensure their guests from ‘at risk’ countries are retested on the eighth day of their arrival.
The mandatory rule is irrespective of COVID-19 negative test result upon their arrival.
The respective managements of all the accommodation facilities are also asked to coordinate with the health officials by furnishing details of their foreign guests including their stay period and whereabouts.
“Travellers from ‘at risk’ countries will have to mandatorily undergo retesting for COVID-19 on the eighth day of their arrival to Goa, although they test negative (on the first day). The hoteliers and stakeholders in the hospitality sector will also have to provide details of their guests to the concerned health officials. All are asked to remain alert,” Tourism Secretary J Ashok Kumar said on being contacted by Herald for clarity on the circular issued on Monday based on revised guidelines by the Centre.
The circular signed by Tourism Director Menino D’Souza states that all international travellers should undergo RT-PCR testing on arrival.
“If the traveller is found negative, he/she should be home quarantined for seven days. A re-test should be done on the eighth day and if found negative a self-monitoring shall be done for the next seven days,” it said.
“All hoteliers/stakeholders in the hospitality business shall ensure the strict implementation of the above guidelines in respect of all international guests’ arrivals at their respective hotels/accommodations by ensuring that such guests undergo the retest on the eighth day of their arrival in the State. The details of such guests should be shared with the nearest public health care centre,” it further said.
The government has also asked every employee and visitors to follow appropriate COVID-19 behaviour such as wearing of face masks, maintaining safe distance and use of sanitiser/hand wash.
