Panaji: Reading out advisory of union ministry asking people to avoid mass gatherings in the wake of Coronavirus scare, Goa health minister Vishwajit Rane said that the tourism industry in the state has already started feeling the heat of the medical emergency kind of situation due to spread of this virus.
Rane said that adequate measures are taken in Goa by Health department as per the union ministry’s guidelines. But he said that more authority should be given to the local government at Port and airports for more stricter implementation of screening for Coronavirus carriers.
The health minister on Friday addressed a press conference in Panaji to brief about the union Health ministry’s guidelines on Coronavirus.
Rane said that as far as tourism sector is concerned, the people have already started cancelling their events and holidays.
He said that emergence of Coronavirus is an “unfortunate thing” which will have impact on economy and tourism.
Reading out the guidelines of the union ministry, Rane said that the experts across the world has adviced to avoid mass gatherings.
“My appeal is to strictly adhere to what has been adviced.. It is better two-three months don’t see any movie or don’t attend any function,” he said.
The minister also suggested to go for Indian traditional style of ‘Namaste’ rather than shake hands.
When asked whether state government would cancel upcoming Shigmo festival parade or ISL matches, Rane said that Goans are wise enough to take the decisions of not going for mass gathering for the sake of their own health and of their family.
Rane also said that those Goans who are working in the Arab countries specially Kuwait are facing difficulty in the wake of Coronavirus spread.
He said that those goans who have come back to Goa and want to return back in Kuwait to join their duty are facing difficulty as Kuwait embassy has asked for the certificate from them.
“The Embassy has empanelled three private laboratories who are also reluctant to give the certificates,” he said.
Rane said that he would be speaking to Union health ministry to take up the issue with India’s external affairs ministry and empanel state run Goa medical college labouratory as the recognised one to give the certificates.
