Order to shut units against Centre’s guidelines: GCCI

NT NETWORK

Panaji

The Goan industry, represented by the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Saturday asked the state government to review its order directing industrial units to shut operations to contain COVID-19 infection.

Voicing disapproval of the government move to order closure of seven units of Tulip Group in the Verna industrial estate for a fortnight, GCCI said the order is against the Centre’s guidelines on preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 at workplace.

The trade body pointed out that only four of the seven units of the Tulip Group have reported COVID positive cases,

while the remaining three units have not reported any cases.

 “We feel that the units shouldbe  properly disinfected and all those who test negative for the virus should be allowed to resume work,” said GCCI in a letter signed by president Manoj Caculo. The letter has been submitted to South Goa District Collector Ajit Roy, who ordered the closure after 30 employees of the Group tested positive for COVID.

The GCCI has termed the closure order for all the seven units of the Group for 14 days as a “bit harsh and unwarranted.”

The Tulip Group manufactures pharmaceuticals-diagnostics and ironically makes COVID testing VTM and VLTM kits, which are used in India and abroad. Currently, the Group also has export orders from the US. Four units of the Group – Coral Clinical Systems, Orchid Biomedical Systems, Qualpro Diagnostics and Zephyr Biomedical – have reported positive cases, while the other three units – Tulip Diagnostics, Microexpress and Bioshields have no COVID cases.

The GCCI said the state needs to follow the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Directorate General of Health Services (EMR Division) guidelines on preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 at workplace which say “There is no need to close the entire office building or halt work in other areas of the office. Work can be resumed after disinfection as per laid down protocol.”