Team Herald
PANJIM: Against the backdrop of increasing COVID-19 cases in the country, concerns are being raised in the State about inter-State movement of people especially tourists who would prefer to come to Goa, as the State has so far not recorded any positive case.
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Some who spoke to Herald voiced out the need to temporarily seal the inter-state movement but not for essential services such as transportation of vegetables, milk, etc.
Former president of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) Francisco Braganca said, “Temporary closure of road and rail travel is fine but food stuff and essential commodities should be allowed. Otherwise, non-regulation at this moment is not advisable. Safety is more important,” he told Herald.
The industry expert hinted that business should not overpower one’s safety stating, “We need to survive to live another day. We should leave aside our personal business profits for the good of State in general.”
Marcel resident Trupti Naik too feels that same as screening of inter-state bus and railway passengers, whose numbers are in hundreds and thousands might not be properly carried out. “Railways and inter-State bus transport needs to be suspended with immediate effect since there is no mechanism to check the entry of these passengers. So also, a large number of people use this mode of transport and it is not feasible to check each one,” she said.
Another local, Tomas Rodrigues from Divar sought a ban on tourists in the State, not till March 31 as decided by the government on Saturday, but until the virus is fully contained. “Tourists should not be allowed in Goa until the COVID-19 scare ends. Why should we suffer if they bring the virus to our State? But why restrictions till March 31? Is it that after that all will be fine?” he asked.
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Temporary closure of road and rail travel is fine but food stuff and essential commodities should be allowed
-Francisco Braganca, ex-president, TTAG
Railways and inter-State bus transport needs to be suspended with immediate effect since there is no mechanism to check the entry of these passengers
-Trupti Naik, Marcel resident
Tourists should not be allowed in Goa until the COVID-19 scare ends. Why should we suffer if they bring the virus to our State?
-Tomas Rodrigues, Divar resident
