COVID-19: Both doses of vaccines, negative RT-PCR report to be made mandatory after Goa resumes for tourism

COVID-19: Both doses of vaccines, negative RT-PCR report to be made mandatory after Goa resumes for tourism

FPJ Web DeskUpdated: Thursday, June 24, 2021, 05:10 PM IST
article-image
Unsplash

One of the major tourist attraction state - Goa which has been away from tourists due to COVID-19 pandemic outbreak since 2020 may open in few months but with a bundle of safety. According to Goa Ports Min Michael Lobo, the state shall wait till month of July and let number of cases go to zero.

The minister said that Goa will reopen for tourists but with proper screening. Laying down few protocols amid COVID-19, he said, tourists need to be fully vaccinated with both doses. Besides, the tourists will also have to submit negative RT-PCR report for the first three months after Goa reopens for tourism.

Meanwhile, The Goa government has increased surveillance along the border adjoining Maharashtra in the wake of the neighbouring state reporting cases of the COVID-19 'Delta Plus' variant, which is considered highly infectious. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told reporters on Wednesday that cases of 'Delta' variant of COVID-19 have been detected in Goa, but so far there is not a single case of the 'Delta Plus' variant in the coastal state.

Since the 'Delta Plus' variant has been found in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg district adjoining Goa, "surveillance along the border has been stepped up", the CM said. On Monday, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Monday said 21 cases of the 'Delta Plus' variant have been found in the state so far, including nine in Ratnagiri, seven in Jalgaon, two in Mumbai, and one case each in Palghar, Thane and Sindhudurg districts.

Sawant said Goa has so far reported 26 cases of the COVID-19 'Delta' variant, which were detected in samples sent to a laboratory in Pune. He said the Goa Medical College and Hospital (located near Panaji), North Goa District Hospital (Mapusa), South Goa District Hospital (Margao) and Victor Hospital (Margao) have been collecting COVID-19 patients' samples which are sent to the Pune-based lab to check for variants of the virus.

Sawant also said his government has allowed private laboratories to set up their facilities along the Goa-Maharashtra border.

"If we find any suspect (entering Goa with the coronavirus infection), he is isolated and tested before being allowed to move around in the state," Sawant said.

On Tuesday, Goa reported 303 new COVID-19 cases that took its tally of infections to 1,64,957, while 11 fatalities pushed the death toll to 3,008, as per the state health department.

RECENT STORIES

Mira- Bhayandar: Notorious Thief Who Broke Into Mobile Shop Robbing High- End Phones; Arrested In...

Mira- Bhayandar: Notorious Thief Who Broke Into Mobile Shop Robbing High- End Phones; Arrested In...

'To Browbeat And Bully Others Is Vintage Congress Culture': PM Modi On Lawyers' Letter To CJI

'To Browbeat And Bully Others Is Vintage Congress Culture': PM Modi On Lawyers' Letter To CJI

Gujarat: Real Estate Developer Fights Off Group Of Attackers In Ahmedabad (Viral Video)

Gujarat: Real Estate Developer Fights Off Group Of Attackers In Ahmedabad (Viral Video)

Mansukh Mandaviya Utilises Artificial Intelligence To Streamline Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Campaign

Mansukh Mandaviya Utilises Artificial Intelligence To Streamline Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Campaign

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Congress To Release Its Election Manifesto In Jaipur

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Congress To Release Its Election Manifesto In Jaipur