PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday announced additional Covid-related restrictions to combat the State’s high positivity rate.
Shops selling non-essential items have been ordered to remain closed from 7 am on Wednesday till 7 am May 10 while sit-in at restaurants has been prohibited.
Restaurant kitchens and takeaways have been allowed to continue functioning for home-delivery.
These restrictions will be enforced along with the restrictions announced previously by the government.
As per the order issued by District Magistrates of North and South Goa, standalone liquor shops, takeaway outlets have been allowed to function from 7 am to 7 pm while home delivery, except of liquor, has been permitted to function at all times.
While announcing these additional restrictions, CM Sawant questioned the decision of various municipalities and panchayats across the state to impose a lockdown within their jurisdiction.
“I request municipalities and panchayats to allow all essential services and goods supply to continue uninterrupted. Otherwise, people will resort to panic buying and this will create trouble,” he stated.
CM said that some panchayats, which have imposed lockdowns with the tacit support of some MLAs, are not allowing people to commute to work. “This will not work because many people work at government and private hospitals and in the pharmaceutical industry. Who will handle the pandemic if these people are forced to stay at home?” he questioned.
Urging these local self-government bodies to stick to the government order instead, CM said, “I request these panchayats and municipalities to stick to the orders issued by the government. If these restrictions are followed properly, the need for a separate lockdown will not arise.”
