TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2024
Team Herald
MARGAO: The Goa Forward Party (GFP) demanded that the BJP should either replace the “reckless and clueless” Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant or ask Health Minister Vishwajit Rane to resign.
The demand comes after the sudden spike in COVID-19 cases leading to “local transmission” in Mangor Hill. GFP president Vijai Sardesai said, “This happening when Goa CM has practically decided to open up Goa borders for all and sundry, especially tourists coming from hotspots in India, is all the more concerning and alarming.”
“The CM's statement there will be no capping of tourists or those coming from red zones is a recipe for disaster. Majority of people coming from Maharashtra are testing positive," Vijai said. The party has demanded that only Goans and essential supplies be permitted, for the time being. It further demanded testing each person crossing the borders without any exceptions. Vijai said, “It is necessary to keep them in isolation till results are out and if negative, permit home quarantine for Goans and paid quarantine facility for non-Goans.” The party demanded that an immediate Goa-specific SOP in conformity with the MoHFW guidelines for returning Indians dated May 24, 2020 be formulated.
“Returning or repatriated Goenkars should not be charged for any health-related measures such as testing, quarantine, etc, in tune with the International Health Regulations 2005 applicable to international travellers in these kinds of global health emergencies. The repatriating Goenkars have to be treated as those undergoing human distress as per the MoHFW guidelines of May 24, 2020 and be permitted to undergo 14 days home quarantine, if tested negative. If non-Goans coming from hotspots of India can be given home quarantine, why not Goans," he asked.
