No mandatory COVID-19 test for tourists arriving in Goa

In a new announcement, Goa's CM, Pramod Sawant, has confirmed that the people travelling to Goa will not require a mandatory COVID-19 test on arrival. The Cabinet Head stated that neither a negative COVID-19 report nor a test will regulate the movement of tourists. He stated that such protocols will devalue the primary tourist economy here, a scenario which the state cannot afford.

Goa to boost testing capacities to counter the COVID upsurge

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2F2020%2F11%2Fcovid-3-2.jpg&ho=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.indianexpress.com&s=584&h=27f7b2f86fc2482b099c134878f3c5d0f1fab4bc39e5e9bf142dbadfabbb8bd3&size=980x&c=1696709147 photo_credit="" pin_description="" dam="0" site_id=20074994 caption="" photo_credit_src="https://images.indianexpress.com/2020/11/covid-3-2.jpg" crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252F2020%252F11%252Fcovid-3-2.jpg%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fimages.indianexpress.com%26s%3D584%26h%3D27f7b2f86fc2482b099c134878f3c5d0f1fab4bc39e5e9bf142dbadfabbb8bd3%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1696709147%22%7D" expand=1]

On Monday, the Goa Health Minster moved a proposition to the Chief Minister to establish preventive travel protocols to screen visitors arriving from adversely affected states such as Maharashtra, Kerala and Karnataka. As a result, the state was mulling to authorise a negative COVID-19 report or a compulsory test on arrival to prevent the ascent of infection in Goa due to foreign elements.

However, the Chief Minister, stated that the COVID surge could be controlled if people are cautious. He further appealed to all the locals and tourists to take care of the guidelines and preventive protocols. Goa's economy primarily relies on tourist activity and the CM added that the state cannot afford to shut down all such activities, once again. Instead, to counter the surge, the state will boost its testing potential.

While several relaxations have been awarded to travellers, like no mandatory test on arrival, the CM urged all those with symptoms to get themselves tested for the infection. Similarly, those eligible are encouraged to get the vaccine shot.