By Rupesh Samant

Panaji, Jun 30: Even as more than 40 special flights have left from Goa Airport to various international destinations after the lockdown was announced in the country, there are still over 1,000 people who are either stranded or enjoying their vacation in the beach destination.

Superintendent of Police (FRRO) Bosco George on Tuesday said that there are more than 1,000 foreigners, mostly from Britain or Russia in the state. “There are some who are waiting for the Special Flight to carry them back to their country, while others are staying back,” he said.

Goa Airport director Gagan Malik said that 43 Special flights that have left from Goa to international destinations carrying more than 9,000 foreigners to their native.

On Tuesday, a flight, precisely 43rd in the series, left Goa International Airport to Russia with 318 Adults and eight infants through the chartered flight – Rossiya, he said.

The director said that all the COVID-19 protocols are meticulously followed at the airport during the entire process of boarding into the flight.

Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), an apex body representing the hotel and travel industry, has said that the foreigners are still holidaying on some of the beach villages across the state.

TTAG’s former chief Savio Messias said that the foreigners were seen on the beaches of Agonda (South Goa) and Keri (North Goa).

He said that there are many foreigners who would like to stay back as Goa remains to be a financially affordable destination for them.

“There are some foreigners who are waiting for the resumption of regular flights to travel internationally,” he said.

A representative of Russian Consulate of Mumbai in Goa, Vikram Varma, said that there are many (Russians) who are waiting to complete the formalities as their visa has expired.

“They were supposed to travel back in March, but there were no flights and their visa period has expired. They have already process to renew the visa so that they can fly back,” he said.