Panaji, May 27 (IANS): The Goa government needs to arrest the trend of persons who are travelling to Goa just because it is a safe zone and not because they are stranded elsewhere and are returning to a place they belong to, Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat said on Wednesday.

"I can understand the case of Goans who are stranded and want to return. But there are lots of other people who want to come to Goa for various reasons. And unless we screen them properly and make border checking stricter, I have a feeling the number of positive cases may increase," Kamat told reporters in Panaji.

"The trend is, since Goa is in a better situtation (compared to other states), many people from abroad or outside (the state) want to come to Goa to take rest. This kind of thing is going on. So we have to keep a check on this. Only Goans who are stranded abroad, those who are coming back from other parts of India should be welcome," Kamat added.

Goa currently has 39 active Covid-19 cases, according to the state Health Ministry. The coastal state had zero active cases earlier this month, but with relaxations in subsequent lockdowns facilitating more inter-state travel, Goa saw a surge in cases, most being persons who entered the state via Maharashtra.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has already appealed on several occasions that tourists and those who do not have a residence in the state, should not travel to Goa by taking advantage of the easing of inter-state travel restrictions.