Fully Vaccinated, With Negative RT-PCR Report, Are Welcome, As Goa Set To Open For Tourists
With COVID-19 cases coming down and more states relaxing lockdowns and other restrictions, many can't wait to get out of their house and pack their bags for their next trip.
Hill stations like Kullu, Manali and beaches like Goa are among on the priority list of many such people.
And for those wanting to visit Goa, the good news is that your wait may be over soon, but with conditions.
According to Goa Minister Michael Lobo, the state will make it mandatory for tourists to be fully vaccinated with both doses and a COVID negative RT-PCR report.
What all needed?
"We have to wait till July and let the number of cases go down to zero. We will reopen Goa for tourists with proper screening. Both doses of vaccines and a negative RT-PCR report will be made mandatory for tourists for the first three months after reopening of tourism in the state," he told ANI.
"The cases are coming down but we will wait for a month to start the business. For the first two months, we need to keep a close watch," he added.
But Lobo added that protocols will have to be changed for the peak tourist season.
"In October, November and December the protocols will change and so it will not affect the tourists coming in the state for New Year or Christmas," Lobo said.
"It is also important to screen people coming by air and train," he added.
Earlier, on Monday, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had said that the state plans to complete the first dose vaccination against COVID-19 by July 30, and reopen tourism activities only after that.
"Most tourism activities are closed (in state). We can think of restarting it only after first dose of vaccine has been administered to everyone, that means only after 30th July," he said.
Second COVID wave affected tourism sector
Sawant said that the second Covid wave and the closure of tourism activities had impacted the state's finances.
"The state revenue has been badly impacted over the last two months. The shut down of tourism and other activities has also brought down our GST collection. We are coming out with a solution," he said.
The CM however admitted that a possible third wave of COVID-19 remains a concern for the state.
"We will take a decision after analysing the possible coming of the third wave. At present, we cannot predict," he said.
The lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 have been devastating for tourism dependent economies like Goa, which has suffered massive losses.
Though domestic tourists may start coming soon, the absence of international travellers is still going to hurt the industry that is struggling to survive.
