New SOP from tomorrow for people entering Goa

NT NETWORK Panaji

The state government has decided to adopt new standard operating procedure (SOP) to contain the COVID-19 virus. The new SOP will come into force from June 10.

As per the new SOP, persons entering Goa must remain compulsorily home-quarantined for 14 days with a stamp on hand or can go in for 14-day paid quarantine facility or stay in a paid institutional quarantine facility until their test reports come.

Addressing media on Monday evening after a series of meetings since morning, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the government has decided to adopt new standard operating procedures from June 10 onwards wherein those coming down to Goa from outside the state will have to go through thermal screening at the entry point.

He said that as per the new SOP to be adopted, those persons having high temperature will be sent for COVID-19 test and a person with no symptoms will be given two options. “Persons with no symptoms have to remain in 14-day home quarantine compulsorily. Those who do not want the 14-day home quarantine can opt for paid test for COVID-19 and stay in paid institutional quarantine facility until their test reports come,” he said.

Sawant held meeting with cabinet ministers in the morning followed by a meeting with the ruling MLAs at his official residence. He also held a discussion with MLAs of all parties and later met editors of newspapers and news channels. The Chief Minister said that he, along with Health minister Vishwajit Rane, health secretary, director of health services and other concerned officials, has taken a decision on Sunday to adopt new SOP for those entering Goa by flight, rail and road.

Sawant said he has briefed the cabinet ministers, ruling MLAs, opposition MLAs and the editors of newspapers and news channels about the COVID-19 management and future strategies decided by the government. He stated that in view of the increasing backlog of pending reports, the government has decided to adopt new SOP so that the spread of coronavirus can be stopped further in the state. “Every day, we are conducting around 1,500 tests. However, in order to clear the backlog, we have decided to adopt new SOP for people coming from outside the state,” he said.

As regards the 14-day home quarantine, the Chief Minister said the sarpanchas, panch members and panchayat secretary have to keep a watch on the people who have opted for 14-day home quarantine in the villages, while in urban areas, councillors and the chief officer of the concerned civic body has to monitor such individuals.

Speaking on COVID-19 management at Mangor Hill in Vasco, Sawant said the government has decided to prioritise testing in the containment zone. “Till date, we have completed testing of 1,200 people in the containment zone of Mangor Hill locality. Now we have decided to

prioritise the testing. We will first conduct tests of the persons above 65 years of age and children below five years of age in this particular locality,” he said.

The Chief Minister said out of the 300-odd COVID-19 positive cases in the state, majority are from Mangor Hill area and only 22 are from other parts of the state. “Out of 228 positive patients from Mangor Hill, only 19 need actual treatment and remaining 209 do not require any treatment, as they are healthy,” he said.

Sawant said as the government has designated the primary health centre at Shiroda as COVID care centre, the casualty service and other medical treatment facilities are being provided at Kamakshi Arogya Dham Ayurveda hospital at Shiroda.

As regard the health workers, who have tested positive for COVID-19, the Chief Minister said the government has taken care of their family members and neighbours and completed their testing. “COVID-19 or coronavirus is a disease. Those who have symptoms need to take treatment. However, the people in the state need not worry, as the government has been taking all required measures to contain spread of the virus,” he said.

The Chief Minister said he has told the opposition MLAs that the government will consider their suggestion on the issue. “They want free quarantine facility for Goans who are coming from other states and abroad. I told them that the government will consider this suggestion,” he added.

The meeting of the ruling MLAs was held on Monday afternoon and chaired by the Chief Minister at his official residence to decide further strategy for combating COVID-19 pandemic in the state.