Tourists will need COVID-19 certificate to enter Goa: Minister

Panaji, Apr 14 () Goa Health Minister VishwajitRane on Tuesday said air travellers will not be allowed toenter the coastal state without a health certificate, afterthe Centre opens up airports once the COVID-19 lockdown iseased or lifted.

Speaking to , Rane said he had already urged ChiefMinister Pramod Sawant to take up the issue with the UnionCivil Aviation ministry to not allow air travellers to enterthe state without a COVID-19 certificate.

The Civil Aviation Ministry can inform the airlinesabout this condition.

"Each state has powers to enforce its own rules tocontain the spread of COVID-19," he said.

Even if all COVID-19 patients in Goa are cured of theinfection, the authorities will not relax, he said, addingthat the state plans to ramp up its testing facilities intalukas to widen the scope.

As many as 10 rapid testing booths will be set up atindustrial estates and state borders, the health ministersaid.

"Even if the number of positive cases comes to zero inthe state, the challenge will not end. In keeping with theguidelines of the Epidemic Act, we will make masks compulsoryin public spaces," he said.

Goa may not detect new cases, but this lean periodwill be used to ramp up testing facilities, he said.

Rane further said that he had directed the healthsecretary to formulate a protocol for random testing.

"We have to ensure that the guidelines of the IndianCouncil of Medical Research are followed," he added. RPSARU ARU