PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday imposed a slew of restrictions on public gatherings in light of the continuous steep rise in new Covid cases as well as the worrying mortality rate in the state.
Among the major restrictions imposed by the state government with immediate effect are night curfew from 10 pm to 6 am, imposition of Section 144 banning the gathering of four or more persons in public spaces, closing down of certain activities and reduction of capacity to 50 per cent at several business establishments. All the restrictions will continue to remain in force till April 30 and will be reviewed thereafter for further action.
CM Sawant stressed that utmost care has been taken to ensure that economic activities are not hampered and laid emphasis on the need to encourage ‘Work From Home’ at government as well as private offices wherever possible.
He also said that establishments such as petrol pumps, pharmacies and other emergency and essential goods transport services will be exempted from the rules of the night curfew.
He categorically declared that the government has no intention of imposing a lockdown and appealed to the general public not to undertake panic buying with all essential services and shops continuing to function as usual.
The government, however, announced that Municipal elections in five towns across the state will continue as per schedule and that the State Election Commission will take utmost care to abide by Covid safety protocols at polling and counting booths.
CM Sawant was addressing the media following a meeting of the high-level committee comprising all top officials involved in Covid management.
The Chief Minister has appealed for all social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural congregations to be suspended and has requested all sports clubs and associations to cancel their tournaments.
