Goa ports minister speaks against imposing stricter measures for tourists in the state

 Thursday, April 1, 2021 

Although photos of tourism are at full swing with unashamed violation of Covid norms going viral on social media, grabbing angry reactions from citizens, Goa ports minister Michael Lobo said that enforcing health protocols would discourage tourists from coming to Goa.

The minister said that Section 144 didn’t apply to tourists. “If you make SOPs stricter and you harass tourists, which tourist will come to Goa? We have to take precautionary measures, but at the same time, you cannot stop business because Covid-19 cases are increasing,” said Mr. Lobo.

Mr. Lobo said this when he was asked why Goa is not cracking down on tourists, mainly customers outside offshore casinos who are not wearing masks and coming in large groups.

To quote Mr. Lobo, “We cannot put stricter SOPs or curtail them from coming to Goa. If the state is getting GST today, it is because tourists are in Goa. If we get stricter than this, you will see the decline in the tourism belt. Tourists coming to Goa will decline.”

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