SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: As the State marches towards becoming the first in the country to be declared a ‘Green Zone’ in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Goa government on Thursday announced that wearing of masks in public places would be compulsory.
The State, that had reported seven COVID-19 positive cases, now has only one active case, as six of the other patients have recovered.
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Thursday announced on social media the government decision to make wearing of masks in public places mandatory. “Goa is setting the right example, with being the first State to announce the compulsion of wearing masks in public places. It is a moment of great pride that other States are also following the same,” Rane tweeted.
The Minister also said that the government will soon commission setting up kiosks for either swab collection or anti-body testing. “A protocol will be outlined to ensure Goa sets an example,” he said.
Rane also said that the government is hopeful that the State’s active cases will be nil by next week. The numbers of daily suspects of coronavirus are also on the decline in the State, and no new positive case has been reported in the State after April 4.
Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national general secretary B L Santhosh said that Goa may be the first ‘Green’ State as on April 20, if everything goes well. “If everything moves according to plan and activities on ground, Goa may be first Green State as on April 20. As of now well done. Keep the eyes and ears to ground,” he tweeted.
The North Goa district, which reported all the positive cases, is currently in the Red Zone, while South Goa is in the Green Zone.
