PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has dismissed the possibility of a state-wide lockdown in the near future while also stating that insistence on a compulsory Covid-19 negative certificate from people entering Goa is not required right now.
He has, however, hinted that the government may rethink its decision to host Shigmo parades at Panaji, Mapusa and Ponda if the Covid cases and deaths in the state continue to spike.
Ironically, CM Sawant’s statements come on a day when the Health Department has recorded 133 new Covid cases and three deaths. The daily Covid positivity rate stood at 6.9 per cent while the Covid death toll has now touched 821.
Speaking to the media after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, CM Sawant stated, “A high number of cases is being reported every day in the state. We need to be very careful. Tourists who visit the state have to take precautions. We cannot bring all economic activities to a halt again. We have enhanced testing. I am in touch with the Health Minister on this matter.”
He later explained that making Covid-19 negative certificates compulsory for people entering the state is not required right now.
Sawant said that at this point, the government will continue to appeal to the people to report symptoms and to get tested and if they are eligible for vaccination, to get vaccinated.
Responding to a question about the government’s plans to go ahead with Shigmo festivities in the first week of April, CM said: “Shigmo was declared only in three places -- Ponda, Panaji and Mapusa. But still, if cases rise on a large scale, we will have to rethink even that decision.”
Meanwhile, DGP Mukesh Kumar Meena has informed that Goa Police staff has been directed to undertake regular rounds of the beaches, airports and market areas to create public awareness about wearing a face mask.
“Announcements would be made on the mike. Mask is very important. I have also asked restaurants and hotels to ensure a distance of six feet between tables. Police are becoming active again. We will ensure that everybody wears a mask,” DGP Meena said.
Interesting Chief Minister did not speak on the proposal which came for discussion in the cabinet regarding diversion of government land from Dharbandora, Sanguem and Salcete talukas to railways for line doubling.
There was a proposal in the agenda of the cabinet meeting regarding the diversion of 17,183 square meters of land from the talukas of Dharbandora, Saguem and Salcete for South Western Railways for line doubling of the Kulem-Madgaon section. The south Goa collector has already processed the request of South Western Railways.
