In another incident, Pernem police on Thursday reportedly arrested two staff of a private bus on charges of failing to stop for mandatory Covid checks at the Patradevi check-post. It is learnt that the staff of the State registered bus were arrested and the bus was detained by the police and further investigation is in progress. It may be recalled that earlier on Tuesday, two drivers and a conductor were arrested after an interstate bus sped past the Patradevi check-post in an apparent bid to escape Covid related checks at the border. Several videos posted on social media show how people from neighbouring states cross the Goa border on foot in order to escape being checked for Covid-negative certificates or complete immunisation records. It is pertinent to note that the graph of the number of daily Covid cases reported in the State has levelled to some extent. However, the number of cases in the neighbouring cases is on the rise. Those who enter the State without the mandatory Covid-related certificates could be spreading the virus in Goa. This poses a risk of a spike in the number of Covid cases in the State despite all precautions being taken by Goans. There is every possibility of private buses charging extra cash, those passengers who do not possess a Covid negative certificate or a full immunisation report. There could be a big racket going on at the Goa border which the police need to investigate.
