Panaji: Amidst rising COVID-19 cases, tourism department is all set to open its doors for domestic travellers, but with certain conditions.
Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar on Wednesday announced that the tourism industry in the state would open for the travelers from tomorrow July 02, with opening of 250 hotels in the state.
Ajgaonkar said that his department has already allowed 250 hotels to operate after following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
“We have decided to allow the domestic travelers to come to Goa from tomorrow onwards after they comply with certain decisions,” the minister said.
He said that the decision to open the state for domestic travelers was taken during the state cabinet meeting held on Wednesday.
Ajgaonkar said that the tourists who are arriving should compulsorily have pre-booking of any of the hotels which are approved by the tourism department. He said that home stays and those who don’t register with the department will not be allowed to entertain the guests or offer online bookings.
The minister said that the tourists will have to carry COVID-19 negative certificate along with them while entering Goa. “If they don’t have the certificate, then they will have to get themselves tested at the border, and wait in state run quarantine facility till their results are conveyed to them,” he said.
“If anyone who tests positive, will be given an option to return back to his state or get admitted in the state,” he said.
Ajgaonkar said that tourist without COVID-19 negative certificate will not be allowed to roam in the state.
The minister said that the states like Maharashtra and Hyderbad has already opened its doors for tourists.
“Why should we seat back and wait. We are also allowing the industry to resume. There are so many travelers who want to come to Goa,” he said.
Sir, I have a query. As far as I know that the ICMR Covid-19 certificate is valid for only
48 hours, and what happens after that, the tourist has to go back or do another test.
Great. But leave testing to the option of the tourist. People coming for specific work should be allowed to do their work.
Corona virus came to Goa from outside its borders by some persons (unoficially) entering from Maharashtra and Karnataka.
A few weeks ago we were at zero cases, now we are in excess of 1300.
Yes it’s a great idea, open the borders and double the problem.
GOA DOES NOT NEED THIS NOW
The holiday season is finished, only the big hotel business will benefit and the people will suffer the virus spread.
Come on Sawant, THINK ABOUT IT
Goa cases are on the rise and here we have a stupid minister opening up tourism for him to make a few bucks,, he should get infected first
How do I register my Homestay Villa which is listed on Airbnb kindly let us know the formalities