Goa has finally reopened for tourists after remaining shut for months due to a second wave of Coronavirus cases across the country, and rise in COVID cases in the state.
As per reports, this popular beach destination will now allow entry of travellers who are fully-vaccinated at least 14 days before the date of entry, as well as those who are able to provide a negative COVID-19 test report, accredited by ICMR labs (except those coming from Kerala who would required to present a negative RT-PCR report. The said decision was taken after that state registered a consistent decline in the number of COVID-19 cases.
Earlier, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant also added that new SOPs for travellers, mandating full vaccination or negative RT-PCR test results will be laid down in view of upcoming festivals.
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Revealing more on the updated travel update, Nilesh Shah, President of Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) added that now Goa is ready to welcome tourists with open hearts. He added that the government has put in place strict measures to follow, whereas guidelines have been laid down for tourism business. He further added that a majority of the Goan population has been vaccinated with at least one dose of COVID vaccine, and that in the next 90 days, the entire population will likely be vaccinated with both doses.
Meanwhile, Goa Airport Director Gagan Malik expressed delight that Goa is once again reopening to visitors, and that it is a ‘good sign,’ and reiterated, “Aviation industry has suffered huge losses (due to COVID). In Goa, we had an average of 77 flight operations per day, which stands at 30 now. All airlines barring one have restarted their operations.”
