Team Herald
PANJIM: Amid challenges to attract tourists owing to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and Assembly elections process, Tourism Department has announced hosting Goa’s annual Carnival festival from February 26 to March 1.
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The State is going for elections of Goa Legislative Assembly on February 14 with counting of all the poll-bound States to be held on March 10. These States including Goa are currently following Model Code of Conduct till the conclusion of the election process.
As per government information, the department will organise the Carnival parades in collaboration with local municipal bodies across four locations.
The float parade will be flagged off in Panjim on February 26 while in Margao the parade is scheduled on February 27, followed by Vasco and Mapusa on February 28 and March 1 respectively.
“Parades will be flagged off at 3:30 pm following COVID protocols and Model Code of Conduct for General Assembly elections. There will be no commercial floats or floats on political theme,” reads a statement issued by the Department of Information and Publicity.
The department claims it has obtained permission from the Chief Electoral Officer for the programme and advertisement.
Sources in the department told Herald that while all permissions are in place to advertise the festival, its main challenge will be attracting tourists.
The process of applying for the event including King Momo is expected to begin in the next couple of days.
