Team Herald
PANJIM: The State Government on Sunday issued an order extending the restrictions till February 15, in view of rising number of COVID cases in the State. The restrictions were earlier imposed on December 29.
Sanjay Kumar, Secretary (Revenue) said, “As the number of COVID-19 cases being reported in Goa are high, and the situation might further aggravate if public gatherings and active interactions are permitted unrestricted, the government has extended the restrictions till February 15.”
As per the order, casinos, cinema halls, river cruises, water parks and entertainment parks have been asked to operate with 50 per cent of the seating capacity.
Furthermore, places of public amusement, including spas, massage parlours, restaurants, pubs, bars, halls, auditoriums, gyms, marriage venues, cinema halls, river cruises, water parks and entertainment parks have all been asked to adhere to all COVID safety protocols, including use of masks, sanitisers, thermal screening, etc.
It is to be noted that entry to all of the aforementioned public places is restricted to visitors who are either fully vaccinated or possess valid COVID negative certificate.
The order also stated that the owner, manager, licensee or organiser of such premises or functions shall be responsible for the enforcement of the above restrictions, including making necessary arrangements for the verification.
“Only those persons who are fully vaccinated or having 72-hours valid COVID negative certificate have been permitted entry in the State”, the order adds.
Finally, the order has explained that in case of indoor halls, auditoriums, community halls, mandaps, open spaces, etc, shall be restricted to a maximum of 50 per cent of the seating or venue capacity or as per the limit imposed by the Election Commission of India (ECI), whichever is less.
