Panaji, 14th April’ 2023: The Directorate of Health Services has decided to start antigen testing at both the airports, Goa International Airport, Dabolim, and the Manohar International Airport, Mopa. Although it will not be made mandatory, it has been done as a precautionary step for the delegates coming for G20 summit.
Only the delegates with symptoms will be tested, as authorities have adopted a ‘no symptom, no testing’ policy.
“At both the airports we have started with swab testing centre wherein the doctors, nurses will be stationed along with paramedics and ambulance service. Testing facility has already commenced and will continue to till the last day that is 20th April.” says Dr. Kedar Raikar, OSD (Health), G20. He further adds that a swab testing will also be operational at Grand Hyatt Goa.
Antigen testing facilities have been initiated at the resort where the second working group meeting on health will be held on from Monday to Wednesday.
“Testing centres will be operational right from the day of arrival, all through. Respective teams will be working round the clock at the airport and at the hotel at all times” says Sanjit Rodrigues, Protocol Secretary and Nodal Officer, G20.
As hotel Grand Hyatt will be addressing the first meeting on the digital health in Goa the venue will have an emergency room for any eventuality with a doctor from Goa Medical College and doctors from DHS. In case of any emergency, an ambulance with a team of doctors, nurses, and paramedics deployed by DHS will be on duty at various sites for the delegates too. “Those with symptoms of COVID-19 can get themselves checked at any given time” says Raikar.
Most of the international delegates will be arriving at the Dabolim airport since direct flights from Mopaare yet to commence. Authorities are also in contact with Goa Police to generate a dedicated green corridor and if necessary shift the delegates to GMC if they fall ill. “Should there be any positive cases detected the persons will be kept in isolation at the hotel. If the symptoms are severe they will be shifted to the special ward arranged for G20 where they will be treated and monitored in isolation,” informs Raikar.
The Group of Twenty or G20, is the premier forum for international cooperation comprising of the world’s most-powerful 19 economies and the EU. The G20 group was established with the goal to solve major global issues which are related to the stability of International Finance, the international economy, migration due to changes in climatic conditions, and sustainable development. Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Republic of South Africa, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States of America, and the European Union (EU) form the G20 group. Representatives from guest countries and international organisations have also been invited to attend the Summit.
