MARGAO: It was a big relief to the seafarers’ community as the Ministry for Health and Family Welfare extended the time frame up to December 31 for administering a second dose of Covid vaccine after 28 days, as the seafarers’ jobs are protected.
Taking note of this the Goa Seafarers Association (India) also thanked the Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Adv. Narendra Sawaikar, NRI Commissioner for considering the request to extend the time frame by seafarers.
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A circular issued by the Union health minister stated that the time frame for the second dose has been extended up to December 31, which earlier was October 31.
Students who have to undertake foreign travel for the purpose of education, persons who have to take up jobs in foreign countries, athletes, sportspersons and accompanying staff, Indian government officials mandated to attend official commitments abroad, travel for urgent purposes such as for availing treatment services for any health problem, foreign nationals who have to return to their country or in any such circumstances in which foreign travel may be unavoidable and for whom the mandatory 84 days period after the first dose vaccination for Covidshield has not elapsed, besides seafarers will be largely benefited with this new circular.
Frank Viegas, President of Goa Seafarers Association (India), thanked the Union Minister and NRI Commissioner for taking serious note of the issue and issuing fresh circular.
It is pertinent that upon the request of Goan Seafarers Association of India (Goa), NRI Commissioner and former Member of Parliament Adv Narendra Sawaikar had urged the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya to extend the validity of the MOHFW SOP beyond October 31 so as to accommodate those who have to undertake international travel for education, employment etc.
He had asked for the intervention of the Union minister, as a matter of public importance.
