Panaji: Stating that the state government is willing to restart international tourism in Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said the situation of COVID-19 pandemic would be monitored for the next two months and accordingly a decision will be arrived at.

A delegation of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) met the Chief Minister on Tuesday and urged him to initiate the process for starting charter flight movement in the state from October.

Speaking to the media after the meeting at the Secretariat, the Chief Minister said the government is positive about starting international tourism in Goa by formulating the necessary standard operating procedures (SoPs).

“We are positive on restarting international tourism. But we require permission from the central government for charter flights. It is under the purview of the government of India. Until and unless the Centre gives us the permission, we cannot start charter flights,” he said.

Sawant informed that the state government had earlier conveyed the request to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Union Tourism Ministry for starting charter flights. “Again, we are going to write to the Union government,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that till now, the state government has not finalised anything. “Situation of COVID-19 will be monitored for the next two months and accordingly a decision will be taken on restarting tourism in the state. As of now, we are willing to start. In case a third wave of COVID-19 pandemic occurs, we can cancel permissions,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ports Minister and Calangute MLA Michael Lobo said that before starting international tourism, it is important to see whether the atmosphere is good enough within India. “Only if COVID-19 situation normalises in the country, we can invite foreign tourists to Goa,” he said.