MARGAO
Non-extension of the validity of the Ministry of Health Family Welfare (MHFW) SOP making special provision for travellers abroad has put seafarers in a tight spot.
While the MHFW has not extended the validity of the special provision for dispensation of second Covid vaccination dose to travellers abroad after October 31, 2021, seafarers have claimed that a deputy Collector in North has now refused letter to administer 2nd dose for Covid-19 after completion of 28 days as per the requirements.
Seafarers under the banner of Goan Seamen Association of India feared that the lapse in not extending the special provision will cause further delay for the seafarers to join the ships after waiting for more than a year due to Covid-19 pandemic.
The seafarers now keep their fingers crossed as the NRI Commissioner Adv. Narendra Sawaikar has dashed off a letter to the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Mansukh Mandaviya to intervene and extend the special provision for second Covid dose vaccination.
In his letter, Sawaikar sought Mandaviya’s intervention, seeking extension of the validity of the MHFW SOP which grants special dispensation for administration of second dose of Covishied vaccine prior to prescribed time interval (after 28 days but before 84 days) to eligible persons intending to undertake international travel for education purpose, for joining employment in foreign countries, etc,.
“Goa like many other states of India has a large diaspora and NRIs which includes seafarers. It has come to light that there was a time limit imposed in the MHFW SOP up to August 31, 2021 which was subsequently extended till October 31, 2021 but thereafter there has been no extension”, he said.
Saying there are a large number of eligible persons specially seafarers from Goa who intend to undertake international travel after October 31, 2021 but are unable to avail the facility of relaxation due to non-extension of the date, Sawaikar has implored upon the Union Minister to extend the validity of the MHFW SOP so as to accommodate those who have to undertake international travel for education, employment, etc.
GSAI President Frank Viegas told the media that GSAI immediately brought to the attention of the NRI Director and also Director of Health Services, government of Goa over the hardships being faced by some of the seafarers due to the non-renewal of the time-frame dated October 31, 2021. “GSAI took up cudgels for the beleaguered seamen after a deputy Collector in North Goa refused to issue the letter to administer 2nd dose for after completion of 28 days. We now hope to see a positive reply from the Centre following the intervention of the NRI Director”, Frank added.
