PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday announced that the state will not go for lockdown or night curfew and added that the state has already withdrawn Section 144 of CrPC.
With the rise in the number of Covid-positive patients in the state, the government has decided to implement stricter social-distancing norms with restrictions on large gatherings. It has also decided to promote vaccination at a faster pace and ruled out lockdown or night curfew options.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has appealed to people to avoid public gatherings, functions and crowds to curb the spread of Covid-19 in
the state.
“Gathering of more than 200 people in open spaces and 100 in closed spaces will be banned,” said the Chief Minister while speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting of the State Disaster Management Committee. He said wearing masks at public places such as bus stands, markets and even beaches will be made compulsory.
The CM also warned that a drive to penalize people for not wearing masks was on and henceforth it will be implemented very strictly.
“I have directed the police to see that social-distancing and wearing of masks are enforced. People will be fined if they are found violating any of the Covid health norms,” the CM said.
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane and State Chief Secretary Parimal Rai also attended the State Disaster Management Committee meeting. The meet took a review of the Covid-19 situation in the state amidst a rising number of
positive cases.
It was announced that the State police and district administration officials will intensify their drive against those roaming without masks.
Sawant said that the state will not insist for Covid-19 negative certificates from people arriving in the state. “We advise people to avoid the gatherings and also get themselves tested and vaccinated,” he said.
The state has 25 private and 37 government centres where Covid-19 vaccines are available, he said adding that there are still 1.5 lakhs of these in stock with the state government.
It was disclosed that to date, 1.13 lakh have received their first dose, approximately 4.5 to five lakh Goans are above the age of 45. CM said that Goa currently has around 1.25 lakh vaccine doses.
He said vaccine awareness drives will be launched at the district collectorate and police level.
The Chief Minister has appealed to MLAs, sarpanchas and panchas to make arrangements for vaccine promotion. “Political leaders should encourage people to come forward and take the vaccine,” he said.
