India reopens for tourists, Goa can play big role: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with healthcare workers in Goa. Pic/ PTI

The Central government is taking steps to reopen India to foreign tourists, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday, adding that Goa, with its 100 per cent coverage of the first Covid-19 vaccine dose, could play a big part in the revival of the country's tourism industry.

"The Central government is taking steps to welcome foreign tourists back. The government has taken a decision to give five lakh tourists free visas. Travel and tourism stakeholders will be given loans up to Rs 10 lakh with a 100 per cent guarantee by the government. Tourist guides are being given the facility of taking a loan of up to R1 lakh... In the future too, the central government will be ready to help those who take the tourism sector forward," Modi said during a virtual interaction with health workers, ruling politicians, administrative officials and a cross section of people from Goa.

Meanwhile, in the last 24 hours, India reported 35,662 fresh Covid-19 cases and 281 fatalities, according to the latest update by the Health Ministry on Saturday. According to the Ministry, the new fatalities increased the overall death toll to 4,44,529, while the number of recoveries/discharged rose to 3,26,32,222. The Covid recovery rate was reported at 97.65 per cent, the Ministry data showed.

3,34,17,390
Total no. of cases in the country as of Saturday

4,44,529
Total no. of deaths due to the virus in India

3,26,32,222
Patients recovered and discharged in India as of Saturday

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