Two from Dubai Vande Bharat flight test positive in Goa

Panaji, June 3 (IANS) Two persons who arrived in Goa on Tuesday, as part of the state's first Vande Bharat Mission repatriation flight from Dubai, have tested positive for Covid-19, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said here on Wednesday.

"Out of the 155 passengers who were on the flight, two have tested positive," Sawant said. The total tally of active Covid-19 cases in the state is currently 69.

Several passengers arriving by the flight from Dubai on Tuesday, had initially raised a ruckus on landing at Goa's Dabolim international airport, refusing to submit themselves to institutional qurantine and insisted on heading home.

The processing of passengers arriving by the flight, including their swab collection for testing purposes, was delayed due to the stand-off between the passengers and the officials on duty.

After hours of arguments with the officials, the passengers eventually relented and were transported to paid quarantine facilities.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told reporters in Panaji on Wednesday, that such behaviour on the part of passengers travelling from abroad was unacceptable and posed a risk to local residents of the state.

"Imagine if the two persons who have now tested positive were allowed to go home from the airport, instead of institutional quarantine facilities. They would have spread the infection to their family," Sawant said.

"In future, those who are repatriating from abroad should not raise such a ruckus and just follow the SOP laid down for international passengers," Sawant said.