CANACONA: Around 2,000 foreign nationals from 15 countries, who came to Canacona either on tourist or business visa, have been left stranded in the coastal villages of the taluka since the nationwide lockdown to fight COVID-19.
Many are from England, France, Spain, Russia, Mexico, USA, Serbia, etc, and complain that they are under severe stress as they are finding it difficult to venture out due the crisis. However, some of them, undeterred with the prevailing situation, have come together and found a novel way to relieve their stress by practicing yoga through social distancing.
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“With nothing to do, some tourists that are holed up in resorts, have come together to practice yoga by maintaining social distance,” informed a Serbian tourist stranded at Palolem. “Yoga is a stress-buster” he added.
However, another stranded tourist had a word of thanks for the local authorities for reaching out to other foreign nationals as well.
“We are thankful to the authorities, locals and volunteers, who are reaching out to us in this difficult time but we are desperately trying to reach out to our government so that we can go back to our country and be with our family and friends ” informed a British citizen who is held up in his room in Canacona since the lockdown.
There are also several Nepal nationals who annually come to Canacona to work in shacks dotting Canacona’s pristine beaches, some of them even carry out business at the various exotic beaches in the taluka.
Away from their families, these foreigners are unable to cope up with the stress and many have been expressing their thoughts via social media posts.
Through social media, various groups in Canacona with the help of local volunteers are reaching out to migrant labourers and foreigners, but a few foreign nationals are still voicing their displeasure over non-availability of food, water and medicine.
“We are in touch with our embassies to airlift us but our demand has not been met as yet”, they complained.
Meanwhile, Herald enquiries revealed that most requirements of the tourists, who have been stranded in Canacona, have been met with compassion.
“Whoever in need of food, water and medicine has been given proper directions to ensure that their requirements are met, informed a source in the local administration.
Canacona MLA and Deputy Speaker Isidore Fernandes is on record for stating that if any tourist or for that matter anyone in Canacona in need of food, water and medicine or any other help can approach him as he is available round-the-clock.
A foreign expat community in Canacona has a permanent accommodation and is well connected amongst themselves and with the local community, so for them to tide over this testing time is not a problem, said a member of the expat community.
An expat from United Kingdom said, “We are doing our best to help everyone in need. There were instances of some foreigners in distress as they wanted some specific medicines or special food. After asking for help frantically on social media their needs were met by the local authorities.
