Conducting RT-PCR Tests (present confirmatory reliable test) on all citizens who travel for their livelihood should be within the economic reach of the common man irrespective of where it is availed - private or government medical facility.
It is observed that the coronavirus fear psychosis has resulted in exploitation in the backdrop of laboratory tests being a relatively unknown field. However, as a situation of a global health crisis has arisen the Epidemic Act, 1897 and Disaster Management Act, 2005 has been promulgated which empowers the central executive committee and the respective state committee as well as duly notified district authorities to enforce certain provisions of the Acts.
So, the biggest reward the Sawant-led Government can bestow upon the citizens of the State in token of its 60th Liberation Day celebration is to cap the cost of the Covid-19 test at Rs 750 and Rs 1,050 at public and private laboratories respectively from this month onwards.
When other States have slashed the testing rates as widely reported in audio visual media, including the much talked about Gujarat, with a much larger population to deal with, one can find no substantial reason for the Goa Government not to lower the rates of testing without any further delay.
RUI FERREIRA, Panaji
