Goa Govt. to invoke Epidemic Act after tourist season begins

Panaji, Aug 5 (ANI): The Goa Government will invoke the Epidemic Act only after the tourist season commences at the end of September.

"We do not intend to invoke the Epidemic Act at this point of time. But once the tourist season starts, we will put into effect this Act," said Vishwajeet Rane, State Health Minister.

"Maharashtra has invoked the Act because there are thousands of international guests arriving at its airport. We don't feel it is required for Goa at this moment," he said. The Minister said the State Government has asked to install additional equipment at the airport.

"The tourist season will bring in guests from across the world, many of whom can be from flu-affected countries," he added.

Goa receives around four lakh foreign tourists annually, mostly from European countries.

A day after 14-year-old Pune school girl died of the deadly swine flu, the Maharashtra Government on Tuesday invoked the Epidemic Act in Pune and Satara districts to check the spread of swine flu. (ANI)