In a major policy announcement on Thursday, all tourism activities in Goa have been ordained to stay suspended until the state achieves 100% coverage of the first vaccine dose for adults. The Chief Minister also announced that the state aims to achieve the set target by July 30. This mission will be propelled by the ongoing Tika Utsav 3.0, which is harnessing positive public response and enthusiasm.
Goa achieves 38.5% coverage of first vaccine shot
Goa has decided to not open its tourism industry until it manages to administer at least the first shot of the anti-COVID vaccine to all its eligible locals. “There is no plan to start tourism until the first vaccination dose is completed. Our target is to complete it by July 30,” the CM told reporters on the sidelines of a private function.
As of now, Goa has managed to innoculate about 38.5% of its population, the first shot, with over 6.91 lakh jobs. As per records, around 6.4% have been fully vaccinated here, with both doses. With this rapid achievement target, Goa aims to bolster its defence against the rise of coronavirus and kickstart its tourism economy, in more favourable and virus-proof conditions.
Rebuilding the image of Goa for all tourists
In a meeting of the Chief Minister with the stakeholders of the tourism industry earlier this week, the state cleared its stance regarding the opening up of tourism activities in the state. Any decision would be taken only after July 30, the CM informed. Besides this, the tourism nominees have called for the implementation of COVID-19 preventive protocols, with strictness.
In a memorandum to the Chief Minister, the stakeholders have taken up the task to “re-build the image of Goa to all tourists”. For this, they have appealed for concrete travel guidelines for entry in Goa, quarantine centers for tourists and deferring of high-capacity events such as electronic dance or music festivals till March 2022.
