The latest data released by the Press Information Bureau puts Goa's Covid fatality rate among the highest in the country. That sounds scary. However, the situation appears to have eased off considerably over the past one month with fewer deaths or sometimes no casualties being reported. The rate of testing has been fluctuating, but the Covid-positive graph also is believed to be under control.
While Covid infections in Goa are on the decline, the buzz of activity and the flow of desi tourists have increased considerably over the last few weeks throwing a cloud of uncertainty once again. A picture of a legendary cricketer going on a jetski ride off Benaulim beach while on a short holiday to Goa will help in raising the tourism pitch. Likewise, several other celebrities who have been in-and-out of the State on short breaks further reinforce the theory that Goa is indeed a safer tourist destination.
However, on the flip side, picture this: A photo of beach cleaning staff collecting beer and alcohol bottles strewn along the coast after the weekend goes to show that Covid rules and laws of the land were flagrantly violated. Tourists crowding popular beaches, and not wearing face masks or maintaining necessary distancing is somewhat become a norm.
The indiscipline along beaches is out in the open. Tourists are regularly rescued from drowning because they are swimming under the influence of alcohol or ignoring high-tide warnings. There are numerous cases where lifeguards face defiance on beaches. On Sunday four tourists were rescued from drowning at Calangute, even as massive crowds thronged the shores throwing all protocols to the wind.
States like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and places like Delhi have been hotspots of the virus. This is why Goa has to exercise utmost caution. A sizeable chunk of tourists come to Goa from these highly infected States. The infection within the State may be on the wane, but that doesn't give us reason to lower guard and allow tourists to run riot. The revival of tourism is essential, but it cannot be at the cost of risking the lives of Goans.
States like Delhi have stringent rules in place, so much so that the government has contented recently in High Court that even a person in his vehicle must wear a face mask, compulsorily. The Goa government has spoken tough but has failed to walk the talk and enforce Covid protocols. Fines for not wearing face masks have been hiked from Rs 100 to Rs 200, but how will this act as a deterrent if there is no consistency in enforcement, and if the approach is selective. We cannot allow chaos to prevail on the pretext that strict implementation of rules "may upset certain sections".
There's no harm in trying to revive tourism, but common Goans could end up paying the price of such a risky gamble. Tourism has to be regulated, and tourists disciplined.
