Thursday 28 Mar 2024

Goa has to be on guard against new variant of Covid

| DECEMBER 23, 2020, 12:10 AM IST

The new SARS-CoV-2 variant detected in the UK has triggered panic across the world, including India, because of its reported 70 per cent more transmissible rate than the original virus. The strain which UK scientists have named “VUI – 202012/01” (Variant Under Investigation) is believed to be predominantly centred in South and East of England. What is not known is how deadly the impact will be on human cells and the mortality, and whether those taking the Pfizer vaccine will be insulated from this new form of the virus.

Irony has it that almost a year since Covid struck when nations began to take control with a series of vaccines, the virus seems to have changed its game plan, forcing the world to go on the defensive yet again.

Flights from the UK to India are suspended till December 31, and a series of SOPs are in place. Those who have travelled from the UK from November 25 are required to declare travel history and undergo RT-PCR tests. Given this tightened vigil, Goa has to take extreme caution, despite the adverse impact of flight suspension on its tourism. Authorities will have to swiftly swing into action and track passengers from the UK and others with related travel history. Also, protocols will have to be tightened for inbound international traffic from other destinations too.

Goa is in the midst of its tourism season, and the new development will deal a heavy blow to an already crippled economy. However, there cannot be any compromises, and the government has to learn lessons from past errors and tighten systems. There is a distinct worry because the authorities have consistently failed to enforce SOPs and discipline. In the name of tourism, desi visitors have been allowed to flout rules of social-distancing and compulsory use of face masks. Thousands throng the beaches on weekends and holidays making it a free-for-all environment.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has reacted instantly stating the ban on UK flights will affect tourism. That's the business part. What we need to hear from him are steps his government plans to take to secure the lives of Goans before a possible new Covid wave engulfs the State. The government cannot lose sight of the war against the virus, as much as it can't forget the Covid warriors on whom it initially heaped praises and showered petals.

The government's insensitivity towards frontline healthcare workers is now showing as a whopping Rs 100-crore is being spent in celebrating the State's 60th Year of Liberation while completely ignoring those who battled to save human lives. Leave alone remembering their role, frontline workers have not got the rewards of salary increments promised to them in April.

While Goa looks forward and braces for another intense battle, it must also look back and introspect on those who matter in these testing times.


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