PANAJI
The hotel industry should take the onus on their shoulders to ensure that guests checking into their facilities are double vaccinated, Health Minister said on Saturday.
He also defended the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government's decision to resume casino operations and open beaches for tourism, saying the economic activity could not be thwarted.
"...everyone should insist that when they come to their hotel (are double vaccinated), this is my suggestion... Basically get people on board or do things with people who are double vaccinated. Allow those people who come into Goa who are double vaccinated. That is the only way," he told reporters on the sidelines of a World Pharmacist Day event in Panaji.
"You cannot stop the economy. Economy has to grow. People have to eat. Tomorrow your family members must be working somewhere. They also need (jobs)," he also said when asked about the Goa government's decision to open casinos and beaches for tourists.
Commenting on the possibility of a third wave hitting the state, the health minister said people should behave in a responsible manner and those who visit the state should carry authentic double vaccination certificates.
"As of now we are maintaining whatever it is and people also have to be responsible. People cannot be irresponsible. People who come into the state should come with authentic double vaccination certificates and several other things," he said.
He also said that the rest of the world was opening up for business using double vaccination as a benchmark for visitors from other countries.
"Today world over, Europe is also opening. Today, I was told if there is a flight from here to Dubai, there is no seat available. A Rs 16,000 seat costs Rs 1 lakh that means the world is also opening up to double vaccination. And allow people to come in with double vaccination. You cannot buy a ticket without double vaccination," he said.
Responding to a question related to a photograph of BJP's in-charge for the Goa polls Devendra Fadnavis with Congress veteran MLA Pratapsingh Rane during the former's recent visit to Goa, health minister said that he was not privy to the conversation between them. "What can I say, what the two spoke about? Did you see my photo there?" he said.
He also said that he was a "common minister" and a junior person to comment on the party's strategy for the upcoming polls, but added that "even a magician cannot tell what a magic figure" would be, when asked how many seats the BJP would win in the 2022 polls.
"The expectation is to return to power in 2022. We are not contesting to sit at home," the Health Minister said.
