PANJIM: Under pressure from within and outside the government, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Sunday finally tweaked the Standard Operaring Procedure (SOP) making COVID negative certificate mandatory for people arriving in the State.
In a hurriedly called press conference Sawant who was flanked by Health Minister Vishwajit Rane and health secretary Nila Mohanan, stated that on Monday about 4000 persons are expected to arrive in the State by road, rail and air.
"Around 4000 travellers are expected to arrive on Monday - 1000 by road, 1000 by train and 2000 by plane, Hence, We needed to tweak the SOP for domestic flyers and train passengers. We cannot stop planes and trains it is central subject", Sawant said.
According to the new SOP, Sawant said, three things will be compulsarily followed.
"Firstly, COVID negative certificate mandatory, secondly throat swab will be taken and passenger has to pay Rs 2000 himself and sent home With declaration of home quarantine and if positive all in the house will be institutional quarantined and thirdly those who say they have no money, can opt for home quarantine and will be monitored by government authorities. However, if found violating rules, will be kept under institutional quarantine and will have to pay Rs 20,000 for quarantine," he added.
About home quarantine, he said, "We cannot ask everyone to pay Rs 2000 that is why we have been saying they should take home quarantine.Those who cannot come with COVID-19 negative certificate tomorrow, will be tested at airports, borders and railway stations."
Asked whether he had communicated Goa's concerns on resumption of flights to the Centre, he said Goa is no different from India. Domestic flights are starting throughout the country not just Goa.
"Had raised concerns on flight resumption with Minister of Civil Aviation. The minister assured that flights will resume throughout the country and no states are exempted," he stated.
Further, the chief minister informed that Goa has so far tested 13000 persons and we have just 66 cases.
"Our testing rate is 8300 per million which is better than any State," he said.
He also informed that more than 95 per cent cases in Goa are asymptomatic
Referrring to Oppositions allegations, he said, "We has not invited any tourists. He said, "Opposition is frustrated. No hotels are operating, People who have second home are coming with Collector's approval."
Meanwhile, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane who on Sunday morning took to social media asking the chief minister to rethink on the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for domestic travellers said he was happy with the decision taken by the chief minister.
STATE NEW SOP
COVID negative certificate mandatory
Throat swab will be taken and passenger has to pay Rs 2000 himself and sent home With declaration of home quarantine
If positive all in the house will be institutional quarantined
Those who have no money, can opt for home quarantine and will be monitored by government authorities.
If found violating rules, will be kept under institutional quarantine and will have to pay Rs 20,000 for quarantine
Those who cannot come with COVID-19 negative certificate will be tested at airports, borders and railway stations