Team Herald
PANJIM: The surge in cases of COVID-19 in adjoining States has become an increasing worry for Goa which, as the tourist attraction, receives a number of travellers from Maharashtra and Karnataka.
While Maharashtra is contributing the highest to the active case load tally pan-India, Karnataka is also seeing a steady spike in COVID-19 cases. Goa, sandwiched between the two larger States, is in the present scenario at great risk, though it currently has not seen a major spike.
The influx of several drive-in tourists, besides air passengers, has become a cause of worry, although their holiday in Goa is of a short duration. Goa on Tuesday recorded 94 COVID cases, the second highest in the past fortnight.
Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) admits the situation is worrying, but also cited the importance of keeping the economy running. “We are talking that COVID is here to stay, even 8-12 months after the vaccination. All health protocols such as social distancing, hand hygiene and face masks should be followed. Fortunately, cases in Goa are under check compared to other States and we have to maintain that trend,” TTAG president Nilesh Shah said.
Queried on the scare owing to the rise in COVID-19 cases in other States, Shah said, “I agree to a certain extent,” adding, “We have to keep educating everyone about following safety protocols.”
Herald also spoke to a prominent tourism stakeholder who, on condition of anonymity, said the industry apprehends exposure to COVID-19 if the Goa government does not impose restrictions. “We can’t wait for cases to rise and then impose restrictions. We have to do it right now
before the situation worsens in Goa,” he said.
Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte has appealed to the State government, through the social media, seeking stringent COVID-19 norms. “As India registers 140% COVID surge calling for stringent Covid restrictions, I implore @GovtofGoa to overcome the lethargic attitude towards imposing Covid norms,” Khaunte tweeted.
Several hundred tourists have been visiting Goa on a daily basis. Besides 7,000-8,000 air passengers from different places arrive on weekdays – numbers that go up during the weekends. A large number of drive-in tourists from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Gujarat and other States also continue to make Goa their holiday gateway.
