The Government needs to urgently consider Covid-19 vaccination of all bonafide Goan seafarers irrespective of age. Shipping companies have been sending advisories to their floating staff to get themselves vaccinated during their leave period and revert with the vaccination certificates for updating their records.
As there is a continuous surge in global cases, there is an urgent need to safeguard the lives of our seafarers against this deadly virus, more so because they continue to be exposed to the grave risk while travelling and while working onboard ships where medical facilities are minimal and shore medical visits are highly restricted due to protocols followed by various nations.
DG Shipping circular No. 37/2020 has clearly designated seafarers as key workers, and seafarers in several States have managed to take the vaccine on the basis of this circular and their Indian CDCs/ passports.
The vaccination centres and doctors in Goa need to be enlightened about this important DG Shipping circular and all bonafide Goan seafarers, irrespective of age, should be allowed to take the vaccine at the earliest.
