Goa was one of the first states in India to start screening passengers at its airport.?
Given that it is a tourist hub, with people from all around the world making a touchdown here, chances of the outbreak getting out of hand in the state could've been pretty high had things not been controlled effectively.?
But stringent policies and a strict screening process at the airport are probably what are going to make this state the country's first coronavirus-free zone.?
Goa reported its first coronavirus case on March 25. However, screenings at the airport had been happening there much before the rest of the country followed suit, claim reports
As of April 3,?Goa reported a total of 7 COVID-19 positive cases of which six have already recovered! The state has just one active case with no new cases for the past two weeks. If this continues Goa will soon be India¡¯s first coronavirus-free zone.?
Even before The PM announced janata curfew on March 22, Goa had shut down roadside eateries, sealed its borders and put a halt to tourist activities. No case had been reported in the state till then.?
"Borders are sealed for the entry of all types of passenger vehicles coming through Maharashtra and Karnataka from midnight today. This will not affect the movement and entry of essential goods and other cargo and bonafide residents of Goa," PTI Panji quoted him as saying on March 21. Sporting events, competitions and religious gatherings were also postponed.?
"As a preventive measure, minimum citizen services will be available at Transport department offices. The transport department will reduce government and private bus services to minimum level. Head of departments are empowered to decide on permitting government staff to work from home or stagger the office timings," he had said back then said.
CM Pramod Sawant has been recording the steps and initiatives being taken in the state to ensure that the citizens cooperate, regularly on his Twitter account.?
Currently, even though Goa has detected no new cases, the period will be used to ramp up testing facilities, health minister Vishwajit Rane said. Protocol for random testing could also be set up.?
The Goa borders are functioning only for medical emergencies and transportation of essential goods and all truck drivers and their assistants have to go through a dedicated ¡®sanitisation channel¡¯ installed at the Goa border before entering the state.
The Health Minister has declared that air travellers will not be allowed to enter the coastal state without a health certificate, after the Centre opens up airports once the COVID-19 lockdown is eased or lifted.
Talking to PTI, Rane said he had ¡®already urged Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to take up the issue with the Union Civil Aviation ministry to not allow air travellers to enter the state without a COVID-19 certificate¡¯.
Clearly, the state is not leaving any stone unturned in its fight against coronavirus.?It is because of this farsightedness, strict measures and cooperation from locals that the state has been able to successfully contain the virus.?