The Goa government has reportedly extended the ongoing Covid related curfew till July 12. The curfew was first imposed on May 9 this year and has been extended several times. It is understood that shops can remain open from 7am to 6 pm. Saloons and outdoor sports-complex/ stadiums may also open.
It must be said that most of the owners of bars and restaurants are Goans and have been running the business for decades. When wholesale wine shops are allowed to function, bars and restaurants could also be allowed to open by following the pandemic related protocol. These bars and restaurants could be allowed to function with fifty percent sitting capacity in order to maintain social distancing.
No restaurant can function in Goa without a bar being opened as people are used to visiting restaurants for food as well as for responsible drinking. Bars are also the backbone of the tourism industry. The government needs to look into the demands of the owners of bar and restaurant favourably and allow them to open up by following all the Covid related SOPs.
