PANJIM: The lockdown in Goa, with relaxations, may continue for another 15 days, as Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant suggested to the Centre an extension till June 15, 2020. The current phase of Lockdown 4.0 is slated to end on May 31, 2020.
“I have suggested (to Union Home Minister Amit Shah) that the lockdown in the State should be extended for another 15 days till June 15 but certain relaxations should be granted during that period,” he said on Friday.
Shah, on Thursday, spoke to the CMs seeking their views on the lockdown and many States suggested extending it either till mid-June or June-end.
The CM pitched in for relaxations on the functioning of malls, restaurants and gyms during the extended lockdown period. He suggested that these premises open at 50 per cent capacity and obeying all social distancing norms.
“We are waiting for fresh guidelines from the Ministry of Home Affairs, which will be announced on Saturday. Only after understanding those guidelines, we will come to know whether Goa is allowed to give certain relaxations,” he added.
Reacting to the tourism scenario, the CM maintained that Goa will be the most preferred holiday destination post-COVID-19 compared to other tourist hubs. Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar proposed reopening of tourism, subject to the guidelines from the ministry. The State will declare a SOP for tourism after May 31.
Asked if people entering Goa from other States would be banned, the CM replied in the negative stating, “Since we are testing 100 per cent people arriving in the State there is no need to ban anyone.”
Goa has been getting travellers from different States, including those from Red Zones. Karnataka, on Thursday, issued orders restricting the entry of people from five highly infected states.
