the goan I network
PANAJI
Buoyed by its 'green zone' status Goa is set to commence its limp back to normal life as it opens up some key areas of trading activity on Monday but Chief Minister Pramod Sawant warned of the pitfalls of being lax and insists lockdown norms will have to be obeyed beyond sundown.
Liquor outlets, both wholesale and retail, barber shops and the more up-market hair-dressing shops, public transport forms including buses, taxis and rickshaws will all be allowed to operate from Monday, a government order said.
For privately owned two-wheelers and cars, the administration modified the previous norm and has now allowed pillion-riding and driver plus three passengers.
Nonetheless, all permitted activities will have to strictly adhere to physical distancing, compulsory wearing face masks and other Covid-19 preventive 'Do's and Don'ts' including public transport vehicles operating at 50 per-cent capacities.
Sawant, meanwhile, said people should not abuse the relaxations and insisted that Section 144 will continue to be in force. He also said commercial outlets dealing in non-essential goods will remain closed in the sundown hours between 7 pm and 7 am.
In those sundown hours restrictions on the movement of people and vehicles will also be in force, he added.
Private bus operators, meanwhile, will not have to obtain any additional nods from the authorities to begin operations. Officials however said they will have to strictly follow to the tee the guidelines issued by the MHA, particularly operating at half their capacities and making sure face-masks are used by all passengers and crew.
Meanwhile, restaurants and food outlets will continue to remain shut, except for takeaways and home delivery services across the State.
Also places where large number of people tend to gather like malls, gyms, swimming pools, sports complexes, night clubs, spa and massage parlours will also remain shut.
Also sales by liquor wholesalers and retailers will be permitted only in sealed bottles and will also face several other curbs, including having to down their shutters by 6 pm.
They will also have to ensure six-feet distance is maintained between clients and not more than five persons should be present at an outlet at any point of time.
