Considering the rise in tourist footfalls since December, it is understood that the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa wants the government to install signboards at strategic spots reminding visitors to wear masks. This is a step in the right direction and such signboards need to be put up on the beaches as well as other places of tourist interest. The signboards should also specify the fine of Rs 200 for violating the mask norm. It should also be made mandatory for all shops and other business establishments to put up signboards that read “No Entry Without Mask”. However, it is observed that many a time the person behind the counter at the shops and other staff are not seen wearing masks. The shopkeeper and staff need to lead by example and wear masks at all times. At the hotels and tea stalls, all waiters should mandatorily wear masks. There has been a warning from the government that Goa could see a second wave of infections in January. The time to prevent this spike is now by following the SOPs. Since a penalty of Rs 200 does not seem like an adequate deterrent, it seems desirable to hike the penalty amount to Rs 500. Many tourists prefer to carry masks in their pockets only to be worn when they see a cop.
