Team Herald
PANJIM: Five months after having been asked to close due to rising COVID-19 cases, casinos, cruises, spas and nightclubs – the prime attractions of the State tourism – are likely to recommence operations from Monday, as the Task Force on COVID-19 management has granted its green signal to this.
The Task Force at its meeting held on Saturday recommended re-opening of casinos from Monday, with 50 per cent capacity. It also suggested that only fully-vaccinated tourists, or those with RTPCR COVID-19 negative certificate should be allowed to enter the casinos, which have been shut since late April this year.
The experts were of the clear opinion that the government can go ahead with resumption of tourism activities. The recommendation comes on a day that new COVID-19 cases saw a spurt with 123 new infections reported.
Speaking to media persons, Task Force member Dr Shekhar Salkar said that experts have suggested that the government can recommence tourism activities taking all the required precautions. “Casinos can start operations from Monday with 50 per cent capacity. Government will lay down specific Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for casinos. Entry with full vaccination certificate or COVID-19 negative certificate should be made mandatory,” Salkar said.
He said that along with casinos, cruises, spas, night clubs can also start operations.
Though the government has lifted restrictions in a phased manner, allowing several activities to commence from June, casinos, cruises, pubs and spas continued to remain shut.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant had said that the State has written to the Union Ministries of Home Affairs and External Affairs to give special permission to allow landings of charter flights as the State is ready to welcome tourists.
The State currently has over 700 active COVID-19 cases.
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Task Force to decide on classes for high, higher secondary schools
The task force has suggested that physical classes for Classes VIII to XII can commence in October, but only after assessing the situation.
Task Force member Dr Shekhar Salkar said that they will meet again to decide on resuming physical classes for students of Class VIII to XII. “We will assess the situation. In the current situation, physical classes can resume in the first week of October. But still, we will take a decision later,” he said.
A decision on recommencing physical classes from V to VII in physical mode will be taken after Diwali, he said.
The State government has permitted colleges to conduct classes in physical manner, since all the students are above the age of 18 and hence vaccinated.
