MARGAO
Goa Forward Party President Vijai Sardesai has questioned Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s policies or tackling the rising infections of Covid-19 in Goa over the past few days and noted that the CM has no plan to stop the surge and probably looking to get all Goans sick from the deadly pandemic.
Raising concern in the light of the recent ZP elections, Christmas festivities, the UK Covid strain and the upcoming offline exams for students, Sardesai said he had previously highlighted that Goa would see an enormous spike in cases and urged all Goans to stay safe, and indoors “ while to also get tested immediately should they experience any symptoms.
He said the CM has flouted all possible Covid-19 restrictions over the past few weeks. “The Chief Minister has allowed tourism to flow in without limits, he has no interest in increasing testing, or setting up new testing centers, and he has made no efforts to contact trace and test all incoming UK travellers into Goa.”
Sardesai further questioned, “Does Sawant even have the humanitarian will to curb the spread of infections in Goa? Or is he looking to have all Goans infected with the virus?”
The Goa Forward President also outlined how Goa should be tackling its rising cases, suggesting extension of curfews and soft lockdowns to curb the rising cases. In addition, more local community drive through testing centers, and mobile testing center should be set up to ensure all Goans have access to RTPCR test, which is now available for around ₹500/- nationally as against the expensive rates in Goa,” he added.
Sardesai pointed out that the government should also prioritize Goa’s most vulnerable citizens such as the elderly and those with other complications to receive immediate treatment. “Goa’s Covid-19 medical taskforce should also identify additional Covid specialty clinics to treat patients across Goa in an effort to reduce the burden on the state-run GMC,” he said and questioned why the CM is not talking about a vaccine rollout plan?
“It is no secret that a nationwide vaccine rollout will be out soon “ so as a CM who flies in and out of Delhi, he should’ve had a vaccine plan ready, and should’ve started to make it known to the public so that when the time is near people do not rush or panic,” he added.
As Goa readies to usher into 2021 in a few days, the GFP chief urged the people to stay indoors, maintain safe distance in light of new year celebrations.
He said he would continue to raise objections for offline exams to be held from 11th January 2021 onwards and strongly recommended that students have either an online option or a postponed exam later when Goa shows a drastic drop in new infections.
