Panaji, April 14 (PTI) Delegates arriving in Goa for a G20 summit next week will be tested for COVID-19 if they show symptoms of coronavirus infection, an official said Friday.
The state Directorate of Health Services (DHS) will start antigen testing at Goa International Airport, Dabolim, and Manohar International Airport, Mopa, for G20 delegates arriving in the state, it said.
India recently held the presidency of the G20, or Group of Twenty, an intergovernmental forum of the world’s top 20 evolved and emerging economies. The first of 8 G20s planned in Goa will take place from April 17 to 20.
Dr. Kedar Raikar, Special Service (Health) Officer, told reporters that COVID-19 testing is not mandatory, it will be done as a precautionary measure for delegates attending the G20 summit.
“Only delegates with symptoms will be assessed, as the government has followed a ‘no symptoms, no testing’ policy,” he said.
Raikar said DHS has opened swab centers at any of the airports.
“The verification installation has already been done and will continue until the last day, April 20,” he said, adding that a swab checkpoint will also be opened at the gathering place in Bambolim.
Sanjith Rodrigues, G20 Nodal Officer, said the centers will be operational from the day of their arrival. “The respective groups will work 24 hours a day at the airport and the hotel (hosting the delegates) at all times,” he said.
Raikar said an emergency room will be set up where doctors from Goa Medical College (GMC) and DHS will come.
“In case of emergency, an ambulance with a team of doctors, nurses and paramedics deployed through DHS will also be on duty at other sites for delegates,” Raikar said.
He said the maximum number of foreign delegates will arrive at Dabolim Airport as direct flights from Manohar International Airport have not yet begun.
“The authorities are also in contact with the Goa police to set up a room and, if necessary, transfer delegates to the GMC if any of them get sick,” he said.
India recorded 11,109 new coronavirus infections, the highest in 236 days, while active cases rose to 49,622, according to Union Health Ministry data through Friday. The death toll rose to 531,064 with 29 deaths. PTI RPS NR NR
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