MAPUSA
The government has once again extended the ongoing curfew in the State by another week, up to June 14 but with few relaxations.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant informed that his government has decided to extend the curfew by one week even as those dealing with essential goods will be allowed to do business till 3 pm.
They were earlier allowed to operate till 1 pm.
“Our government has decided to extend the State level curfew till 7 am, on June 14. Timings for essential shops as defined will be increased from 7 am to 3 am,” Sawant stated in a tweet late Saturday evening.
He also said that shops dealing with house/building repairs and monsoon essentials and stationery will also be permitted to open from Monday.
“Shops/stores related to house/building repairs, monsoon preparedness or rain protection and stationery items will be allowed to open,” he said.
The decision was on expected lines even as the positivity cases have shown a declining trend in the State. The death rate has also come down but was still hovering around the two digit figure.
The chief minister had said that the government would review the ongoing curfew restrictions in the State and accordingly take a decision.
Facing a severe public backlash over deaths and rise in positive cases in the State and the PILs that were lined up in the High Court, an initially hesitant government went on an overdrive imposing the curfew and several curbs on the borders.
The government imposed its first four-day lockdown from April 29 to May 3 which was later extended till May 8.
The longest 15-day statewide curfew was imposed from May 6 to May 23 and later extended till May 31. It was once again extended till the morning of June 7.
