Amid renewed fears over a new Covid variant 'Omicron', the Goa government has issued new rules for international travellers arriving in Goa. These were announced following a high-level meeting held with officials of the health department, the Goa Airport, the Mormugoa Port Trust among others on Tuesday. November 30.
'All international passengers arriving in Goa will have to undergo mandatory testing,' Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said post the high-level meeting.
Passengers originating or transiting from 12 at-risk countries will have to undergo 14 days of isolation post-arrival testing. Travellers from countries excluding those countries at risk will be allowed to leave the airport and shall self-monitor their health for 14 days' post-arrival.
“International passengers arriving in Goa will have to undergo compulsory testing and those arriving from the 12 countries of concern flagged by the Centre, will have to remain in isolation for 14 days. Other international passengers will be asked to isolate at home,” Sawant said.
“We will follow this strict protocol and every precaution that needs to be taken against the new variant will be taken,” Sawant said.
The government will also issue a new circular about charter flights soon.
The decision comes at a time when the tourist season is seeing a revival time after being battered by the second wave of the pandemic.