Panjim: For stricter implementation of the rule whereby all persons have to compulsorily wear masks in public places, the State Executive Committee (SEC) has decided to take some stringent measures such as deciding that people, who don’t wear masks, do not get petrol or ration.
The SEC, headed by Chief Secretary Parimal Rai, has decided that the State needs to enforce the use of face cover or masks.
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“To enable this, the State should start a campaign, such as ‘no mask – no petrol’, ‘no mask no ration’, or on the similar lines,” the SEC said.
The SEC asked the Secretary, Civil Supply and DIP to work on an action plan. It also conveyed to all concerned that as per MHA orders, any person violating these containment measures or not complying with the above directions will be liable to be proceeded against as per the provisions of Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides legal action u/s 188 of the IPC.
The Inspector General of Police informed that the police have fined about 1,000 people for not wearing masks. The SEC asked the IGP to provide these figures on a daily basis including the details of spitting violations.
Further, Secretary Health Nila Mohanan informed that no new Covid-l9 case has been detected after April 3, 2020.
“As on date, Goa has had seven positive cases of Covid-19, and all seven patients have recovered. After recovery, these patients were shifted to a Quarantine facility outside the Covid Hospital. 123 tests for Covid-19 (this includes tests done on the samples collected so far of those who were surveyed during the House-to-House survey) were done during the last 24 hours, on SARI/ILI patients, all of which were negative. The SEC noted with caution that Goa had not yet faced any community transmission,” she said.
Secretary, Health informed that as many kiosks have been set up, the department will make a priority list for those who are to be tested at borders. Necessary protocol for the same is being worked out.
After deliberation, the SEC decided that test samples from the border be sent not more than twice or thrice a day to the testing centres, to limit the number of trips to be made by the ambulance. The people whose samples have been taken at the borders should wait at the border till the test results are received.
The SEC discussed the mechanism to deal with the permits to be issued for inter-state movement under medical emergency category and for other cases of compelling circumstances.
The SEC advised the Collectors and Secretary, IT to work out a mechanism that ensures proper examination of application before a final decision is taken.
Secretary, Ports also informed that he has received some queries from barge owners associations who want to come to Goa, and are prepared for being tested at their own cost. However, after testing, they want to remain on the barge. The SEC asked him to work on it for more clarity, on the purpose and modalities.
Nodal Officer (Foreigners) informed that a total of about 58,000 foreigners have left the country out of which 6,447 flew from the Goa Airport. The UK (about 42%) and three other countries viz. Russia, Germany and Finland constitute over 80% of those who took off from the Goa Airport.
Commissioner (Excise) informed that the department has sealed 193 Retail liquor shops/Bars in addition to the wholesalers, and that maximum sealing has been done in Pernem taluka followed by Salcete, Sattari and Bardez. He further informed that the liquor manufacturers have produced about 3.91 lakh liters of hand sanitizers.
