PACHU MENON, MARGAO

ALTHOUGH the national COVID-19 recovery rate was pegged at 97.37 per cent according to the Union Health Ministry data, the single-day rise of 38,628 new coronavirus cases recorded in the country on Saturday does give cause for alarm. Assuming the worst to be over, people are freely moving around. With almost all commercial activities having resumed, the crowded markets and busy thoroughfares signal the relegation of the COVID-19 apprehensions to the background. It is as if they have found a reason to savour and rejoice their new-found freedom. Goa with its array of tourist hotspots has started attracting visitors in a big way. Besides the multitudes of outstation vehicles spotted along the beach-belts, the rent-a-bike/car operators in the state too are known to be doing a brisk business. With the impending assembly elections, political activities too are gradually picking up steam. Besides the raging controversy over the Bhumiputra Bill, the ‘Ghar Wapsi’ of quite a few politicians is garnering headlines. While the BJP legislators sit comfortable in the knowledge that a ‘split house’ in the opponent’s camp will always give them an edge in their constituencies, the Congress will have to envisage new strategies to usurp these seats. However, the assembly polls are yet a few months away and the government of the day cannot be oblivious to the threat of a third COVID wave looming large over the state. As the Delta variant makes its presence felt across India, concerns about COVID-19 spreading beyond urban centres to rural regions that were largely spared in the earlier waves of the pandemic and have less access to testing, healthcare and vaccines cannot be overlooked. Besides the influx of tourists, Goa needs to be wary about the festival season ahead. Crowds in a celebrating mood have the tendency to ignore the safety guidelines prescribed. With the appearance of new variants, more contagious and capable of dodging vaccine protections, the state cannot afford to let its guard down.