The industry bodies have sought certain changes after the health department had requested industrial units in the state to adhere to certain standard operating procedures, including suggestions to conduct random sero testing.
In a joint representation, industry bodies have stated that industries, especially small SMEs, lack the ability to carry out sero surveillance in industrial estates and want the department to drop it from the SOP.
Industry leaders have stated that the state government had also made thermal screening and the Arogya Setu app mandatory, which is not only impractical but also dangerous.
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Goa State Industries Association (GSIA) and Verna Industries Association has submitted a joint representation to chief minister Pramod Sawant and health minister Vishwajit Rane.
Sero surveillance provides estimates of antibody levels against infectious diseases and is considered the gold standard for measuring population immunity due to past infections. Currently, sero surveillance is being utilized by the health department to assess the spread of COVID-19.
The SOP issued by the health department last month had made it compulsory for each industrial unit to conduct thermal screening for all staff thrice a day, including at the workplace after lunch. In addition to this, the Arogya Setu app has to be monitored. Industry representatives stated that thermal screening in the office areas is not an issue but similar screening in the manufacturing area is unsafe and could lead to accidents.
The industry associations have stated that many contract staff cannot afford smartphones and since N-95 masks are not available in adequate quantities, organizations should be allowed to use FFP2 masks for persons working in critical and packing areas.
