It’s a big relief for the Goans and the State government as Goa becomes the first zero COVID-19 State in the country, as the seven positive cases result negative in the test. This turns Goa to be the first green State in India as no case of COVID-19 is reported since April 3. Among the total seven positive cases in the coastal State, six had travel history and one was the brother of a positive patient.

Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant says though it’s a happy moment for all and especially the frontline workers but cautions that it is not the time for relaxing. Dr. Sawant says that from April 20 the Government will scrutinize its three-day door-to-door citizen survey and decide upon continuing testing people for COVID-19, wherever felt necessary.

However, the risk looms as around 7000 seafarers are yet to return to Goa. CM Sawant says that the Centre would announce the expulsion mechanism soon. According to the CM, it will take three to four days to let the first lot of seafarers to return, once the mechanism is made official. Those already at Indian ports or closest to the coast will get the first priority. Goa has already made 8000 rooms available for Goan seafarers and all will be put in government quarantine before keeping them in home quarantine.