PANJIM: While several States have announced face masks, which was made mandatory two years ago to protect oneself from COVID-19, is no longer mandatory; Goa is soon to follow the suit.
On Wednesday, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant announced that Goa would soon be a mask-free State. Replying to a media question if Goa will declare itself as a mask-free State in view of the steep decline in COVID-19 cases in Goa and across the country, CM said that the Collector will issue a notification in this regard.
The State has quite a few times reported zero new COVID-19 cases while the active cases have dropped to below 50. The only spurt in COVID-19 cases since the decline in the trend was reported last week in an educational institution where over 40 students were found having mild or no COVID-19 symptoms.
Several big States have granted complete relaxation of COVID-19 norms and as such, Goa is preparing to withdraw the penalty against non-wearing of masks.
