2,023 foreign tourists evacuated from Goa amid COVID-19 crisis, say officials

The total number of international passengers evacuated from India rose to 2,023 after the 10th relief flight ferrying 192 stranded foreign tourists departed Goa's Dabolim international airport on Thursday. Taking to Twitter, the Goa airport authority said that a special charter flight ferried 192 passengers to Germany. 

READ | '1,600 Foreign Tourists In Goa To Be Airlifted By April 3,4': CM Pramod Sawant

On Wednesday, 246 passengers departed for Paris, as part of the rescue efforts coordinated by the Airport Authority of India, Union Ministry of External Affairs, respective diplomatic missions and the State government agencies.

The evacuation process was undertaken since several foreign tourists stranded in Goa were facing hardships due to lack of money and food amid nationwide lockdown in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

The Goa Foreigners' Regional Registration Office, in association with the state Tourism Industry has assured safe passage to the foreigners to their homes. Goa is one of India's most preferred holiday destinations for European tourists.

READ | New Economic Package Will Help Fight COVID-19 Crisis: Sawant

COVID-19 Patients In Goa Stable: Govt

All the five patients, who tested positive for COVID-19 in Goa, and currently undergoing treatment at a hospital, are in a stable condition. State Health Minister Vishwajit Rane gave this information on Wednesday. "All five patients are stable. They are getting proper treatment and responding well," he said.

READ | Two Coronavirus Patients In Goa Test Negative After Treatment

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that all the fair price shops would be open from Thursday, which will help the people to get the essential commodities. The state government will also start "needs-on-wheels" system, wherein the essential items would be transported to the village through state-run Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd, he said.

Sawant said the government has taken up sanitation drive at various public places, while all the state-run vehicles would be sanitised from April 2 to April 22. The state government has already started applying stickers on the homes of those who are 'home quarantined', he said.

READ | Cash Reserve Sufficient For Next Six Months: Banks To Goa Govt

(with inputs from agencies)