Slammed for ‘weak’ SOP, Goa issues another, but it’s not much stronger

PANAJI: The state government on Sunday issued a revised standard operating procedure (SOP) for travellers entering the state. As per the new terms, all entrants to the state, irrespective of mode of transport, will have the option of providing a Covid negative certificate from a laboratory approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), to avoid being tested in the state.
However, there is a narrow time limitation for this condition. “The test should be conducted 48 hours before arrival in the state, and (if the certificate is produced), the passenger will be allowed to go (to their accommodation),” said chief minister Pramod Sawant. The government’s new SOP on Sunday came after severe criticism over its procedure announced on Saturday, which was variously described as “weak” and “confused” and got harshly criticised on social media. However, the revised protocol is a case of new wine in an old bottle, as the rest of it remains the same.
Those who do not possess a certificate from an ICMR-approved lab have the same two options as the previous protocol — pay Rs 2,000 and get a test done, or be sent to 14-day home quarantine.
Explaining how this works, Sawant said, “After their samples are taken, they will be given a protocol which they will have to follow, including home quarantine, social distancing, and not mixing with people. If the sample tests positive, they will be admitted to the Covid hospital and their family members will be placed in facility quarantine.”
He also said that passengers who refuse to get tested will be sent to 14-day home quarantine after a stamp is put on them. “Those home quarantined will be monitored by health officials and ward members of the local body (panchayat or municipality),” Sawant said. “If they are found moving out of the house, they will be placed in paid quarantine.” While pointing out that people have to make their own arrangements to stay, he said the government won’t encourage paid quarantine.
The new SOP came after Sawant chaired a meeting of the state executive committee (SEC), which was attended by health minister Vishwajit Rane, chief secretary Parimal Rai and others.
Meanwhile, Sawant admitted that most of those coming to Goa are those who have second homes in the state. “Some people have alleged that we want to do coronavirus tourism in Goa,” he said. “We are not fools to engage in Covid tourism. We have not called tourists to Goa. People coming to Goa are mainly those who have second homes and those coming to met their relatives. Anyone planning to stay in hotels shouldn’t come as hotels are not open. Those coming for business-related activities should stay at their company guest houses.” Sawant also said that “many Goans have called their relatives from outside the state and they’ve produced their residential addresses”.
Sawant, reacting to cricitism, also said that domestic air travel has been started in all states, not just Goa. “We have raised concerns with the Union government over domestic air travel, but they pointed out that it has been started throughout the country,” he said. Sawant also said that his interventions with the Centre about trains led to the number of trains being reduced.