MARGAO
The United Goans Democratic Party has said the government has displayed utter ignorance or has deliberately launched a misinformation or misleading campaign for promoting tourism when declaring that those entering Goa should produce the two-dose vaccine proof for Covid-19 or the RT-PCR negative certificate.
“What has Delta Plus strain transmission got to do with two doses of vaccine? The vaccine is not 100% efficacious which means anyone who has taken both the doses of the vaccine may bring the Delta Plus strain into Goa. Consequently, it is ridiculous and illogical to make either both doses of vaccine or RT-PCR negative certificate mandatory,” asserted UGDP President Dr Jorson Fernandes.
“The decision is not in the interest of Goans but aimed at making it easy for tourists to come in to boot the Goans with Covid-19 virus and may be the latest Delta Plus strain as even if you are fully vaccinated, the Delta variant, found in more than 80 countries, can still impact you. Fully vaccinated people have a low risk of severe Covid-19, but surges in coronavirus cases could still impact their health in other ways,” he said.
He cautioned: “With the spread of Delta Plus variant, coronavirus cases could spike in parts of Goa, especially in areas with low vaccination rates and still worse Goa being a touristic State may be the hub for Delta Plus variant.”
Dr Jorson highlighted the need for strong enforcement of the protocols which call for an effective, professional working by the law enforcing agencies. As of now, the enforcement of the precautionary measures being followed by the people is weak, stated Dr Jorson.
