PATRADEVI BORDER: Visitors to Goa from across Maharashtra are getting a “rapid” entry into our State. Those driving in without the mandated RTPCR test are simply getting tested for much less foolproof Rapid Antigen Test on the spot, getting a result in 20 minutes and entering the land of sun, sea and sand.
But what about the more than half chance that those who test negative in the Rapid Test being a carrier of the virus since it is only the RTPCR test that is foolproof. Well, the Goa government has allowed this?
The High Court, while hearing three PILs over COVID-related issues pulled up the two district magistrates of Goa for modifying its May 6 interim order directing the State to ensure that a negative certificate obtained in the last 72 hours be a must for those entering. The government then made it mandatory.
However, on June 2, the government made any ICMR approved COVID-test okay to enter Goa, which includes the Rapid Antigen Test which is now being done on the spot at the border. The Rapid Antigen Test is only indicative and not foolproof. Only the RTPCR test is a confirmatory test.
However, at the Patradevi border where Herald travelled to, it was clear that the Rapid Antigen Test was the norm, rather than checking those entering with a negative RTPCR test report, received within the last 72 hours
This is what Herald witnessed at the border. At the Patradevi check post the vehicles are stopped, from where they are later checked for their RTPCR test reports, Those who have a negative certificate are allowed to enter, while those who fail to produce the RTPCR negative certificate are then directed towards the testing counter at the check post. The passengers from the vehicle have to fill a form and proceed to undergo an Antigen Test, wherein their reports are available within 20 to 30 minutes. Those found negative are allowed to enter while those whose reports aren’t negative are sent for medical treatment.
The on-duty police officer at Patradevi checkpost, N N Thakur said, “As the State-level curfew is imposed in Goa, the number of vehicles entering Goa is less, on an average around 70 to 50 vehicles enter Goa, but on weekends the vehicle number increases. We stop every vehicle, check their COVID negative certificate and then allow them to enter the State, while those who do not have the test reports are tested at the border only (Antigen testing) after their test results are negative, they are allowed to enter.”
It is clear that in a hurry to let people from outside Goa enter, the less secure resting method is being adopted as the acceptable norm. This could lead to those with the virus slipping in and that too legally.
