TheGoan Network
PANAJI
Ina targeted effort to ensure that the foreign nationals stranded inGoa during the ongoing lockdown are sent back home safely, the Goainternational Airport has been scheduling special relief flightssince March 25. The commendable work has earned the officials at GoaAirport a lot of goodwill from the 2,867 foreigners, who have beensuccessfully repatriated through 18 relief flights scheduled over thelast 12 days.
Theofficial Twitter handle of Goa International Airport @aaigoaairporthas been abuzz with heartwarming photos of foreign nationals queuingup to board the flights, ending their unexpectedly extended vacationin Goa. Several foreign nationals have been showering words of praiseand gratitude on the Goa airport officials for facilitating theirreturn to their homeland.
SinceMarch 25, when the Ministry for Civil Aviation ceased all operationsof scheduled domestic commercial flights, relief flights have takenoff from Dabolim for Manchester in United Kingdom, Moscow (Russia),Czech Republic, Tel Aviv (Israel), Frankfurt (Germany), Helsinki(Finland), Paris (France), Italy, Kazakhstan, Poland, Madrid (Spain)and Zurich (Switzerland). Of the foreigners repatriated, 2,846 wereadults and 21 were children.
Theentire exercise is being undertaken with a close eye on the hygieneand safety guidelines set by Government of India in order to preventthe spread of Covid-19. For instance, the airport has put in placelocation markers for passengers to queue up at a safe distance fromone another while checking in.
Inaddition to this, the airport employees focus on sanitization andregular cleaning of the premises with Lysol, fumigation and throughfogging. After each departure, the officials ensure the disinfectionof the terminal assets, touchpoints and seats in forecourt as a partof preparation for the next relief flight.
OnMarch 20, following a surprise inspection visit by Health MinisterVishwajit Rane, four screening counters were set up especially fordomestic arrivals to Goa in addition to the already existing countersfor the international flights.
