“Better safe than sorry” has never been more important than it is today

I hail from Goa, the smallest state (by area), in the second most populated country in the world. During this pandemic when India started categorizing parts of the country into zones, district wise, Goa was declared a green zone, which meant both our districts had no active COVID-19 cases and there was and till day there is no community transmission within the state. However over the past few days, the government of Goa led by our chief minister Dr.Pramod Savant has opened the borders to our neighbouring states, Maharashtra and Karnataka. Both of these states have more red and orange zones than their respective green zones with Maharastra being the most affected state in the country having over 37,000 cases and over 1,000 deaths.

Ever since Goa opened up its borders which now allows people to travel by road, train and sea into the state (all with some level of restriction) there has been a spike in the number of positive cases entering Goa. The count of active cases currently stands at 43. The only reason Goa still remains a green zone is apparently because we have detected these people at point of entry and hence there is no community transmission. These cases are considered “import” and are taken straight to the COVID hospital. As a precaution Health Secretary Nila Mohanan announced that arrangements are being made to increase the bed capacity of the COVID hospital to 220 (currently 170 beds).

Which means approx 20% of the enhanced capacity is already occupied with the current active cases.

Keeping in mind that there are still quite a number of test results pending, I for one am a very worried citizen.

I would like to clarify that, in terms of entering Goa, you have to be from the state to be able to return home.

The government website seems to have a detailed procedure to register for the same.Having said that, I'm not too certain about something. From whatever I’ve read in the news these past couple of days, it seems to me that there is a simple fundamental thing being left out.

If all the positive cases that are currently reported in Goa are “Import” why were they allowed to leave the state/district of origin in the first place? I’ve read that the people enter the state and have to do a rapid test. If positive, that's then sent for the normal test to confirm.

The rapid test will cost the person Rs.2,000 and I believe the normal test is free. 

Wouldn’t it be more advisable to have a test done at the place of origin first? I’m not saying the state should not conduct the rapid test or stop any of the procedures that they are currently doing. However they need to add to and tighten the registration process. The person seeking the travel permit should undergo a test at the point of origin and the same report should be attached in his/her application. This in itself should reduce the chances of any positive cases even reaching the border. 

In today’s news the Civil Aviation Minister has announced that domestic flights will resume from May 25th. As of now from whatever I have read it seems like anyone who hasn’t already tested positive and who isn’t from a containment zone will be able to book a flight. The checking only starts at the airport via the Aarogya Setu app.“The passengers are expected to certify the status of their health through the Aarogya Setu app or a self-declaration form”.  This seems ridiculous to me. The process has to be made strict till the number of cases in the country reduces drastically. Which is not the case in India.

If people are going to be allowed to travel using the easiest and fastest mode of transport that also means the virus can travel the same way!

The solution, although inconvenient, is simple. Any mode of travel which involves crossing borders needs to be authorized by a competent body which should insist on a test and medical report declaring the person may travel via whichever means of transport is allowed. Once the permit is granted the same must be submitted to the airline/railway/bus or any other transport issuing the ticket to board the mode of transport and travel. Without which travel or issue of ticket should not be allowed. Even after doing this the entry point of the borders and ports must continue to be strict and tests must be conducted again just to be sure.

The good old saying “Better safe than sorry” has never been more important than it is today in these trying times.

I only hope our country and the men and women that lead it, who have been entrusted in positions of power by us, the people, do the what is right and not what is easy.