New SOP drops compulsory tests for all visitors to Goa

In a new SOP announced by the Goa government, which is expected to roll out on Thursday, the practice of mandatory testing of all travellers coming to Goa will be discontinued, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Wednesday.

Addressing a press conference following a cabinet meeting at the State Secretariat, Sawant said that all asymptomatic travellers arriving in the state would be given three options.

"They should carry a Covid-negative certificate issued less than 48 hours ago by a laboratory endorsed by the Indian Council for Medical Research at the time of entering Goa, by road, rail or air," Sawant said.

"Or they can opt for a mandatory 14-day home quarantine. They will be duly stamped and their family members will also be required to maintain home quarantine," Sawant said, adding that if a traveller cannot make arrangements to stay at home, then he or she can opt for a paid quarantine facility for 14 days.

"The third option is opting for a swab test for Rs 2,000 and stay in a paid quarantine facility till the test results are out, which may take two to three days," Sawant told reporters.

The Chief Minister said that if the traveller is symptomatic, then he or she would be immediately isolated and tested.

"This is compulsory in case of symptomatic patients, but we will not be charging for this test. It is our duty," Sawant said, adding that instead of thermal guns, thermal scanners were now being installed at the state's entry points with a more efficient technology to check temperatures.

Sawant said the new SOPs, which would be in place by Thursday, would also be applicable to the batches of stranded seafarers who are in the process of returning home.

( With inputs from IANS )