PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said the government will change protocols to permit those fully vaccinated to freely enter Goa and there will be no need for a Covid negative certificate.
Sawant who was speaking to journalists at the State Secretariat pointed out that Goa's positivity rate had dropped to six per cent. He also added that it will drop further.
"Those who have taken both the vaccination shots and possess a complete vaccination certificate will be allowed to enter Goa," Sawant said adding that the rule will apply irrespective of whether they are coming for tourism or for business and other reasons.
Sawant also said the government has engaged with private players to explore setting up testing labs at important railway stations.
As per the present SOP, those carrying Covid-negative certificate from a test done 72-hours prior to their visit are allowed in Goa. Currently, people from other States are arriving by road and railways, and many, especially, those who come by rail, often go unchecked.
This has created fear in the minds of the locals, as reports of Delta plus variants found in the neighbouring States are emerging.
“How can we be sure that these fully vaccinated visitors have not contracted Covid recently or are not asymptomatic carriers?” asked Shobha Shirodkar who works at a handicraft store in Margao. Currently, the store is closed, but she is worried as it will soon open once the curfew is over.
Dr M B Prabhu from Porvorim said, “It cannot be denied that the psychological impact of the pandemic is causing incredible distress among the public. It is important to be prepared but is it equally important that we should not panic.”
