Team Herald
PANJIM: Goa has been put under a temporary partial lockdown as the government on Saturday announced closure of schools colleges, pubs, discos and casinos till March 31.
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After the high-powered committee meeting, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, along with Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, however, clarified that exams will go on as per schedule.
The decisions have been taken even as Goa reported no positive cases and two of the three quarantined patients have tested negative for the virus.
“All the educational institutes in the State will be closed from Monday till March 31, 2020, however all the exams, including the SSC Board will be held as scheduled. From midnight of March 15, 2020 to March 31, 2020,” the Chief Minister said. Aganwadis will also be shut.
Sawant also said that public swimming pools, gymnasiums, casinos, spas, cinema halls, cruises, pubs/discotheques will be closed from March 15 to March 31. Malls will, however, remain open.
To restrict the entry of persons infected with Coronavirus in the State, the government will place thermal scanners, initially one each at the airport, Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) and railway stations, the Chief Minister said.
“The scanners will be purchased by the government on priority to screen every individual entering Goa. Also, a fully equipped virology laboratory will be set up at the Goa Medical College (GMC) so the State will not have to seek help from neighbouring States for early detection and tests regarding COVID-19,” the Chief Minister said, adding it would take 30 days to set-up the virology laboratory.
He said that the decision regarding the holding of Shigmo float parades, which are yet to take place in few talukas, will be taken by the local Shigmotsav Committees. The government, however, appealed to the people to be safe, make use of sanitizers and avoid public meetings.
He also directed the Collectors of both districts not to permit any public meetings or gatherings pertaining to the upcoming ZP elections.
“To maintain the hygiene at the election booth, voters will be provided with hand sanitizers and staff on election duty will be provided face masks. Hence, people need not panic. Do come to cast your vote,” the Chief Minister said.
He further said that hotels and resort owners must inform the Health Department through the helpline numbers if any individual or tourist is found with COVID symptoms.
“If any person suspects an infection of coronavirus in the vicinity, they may call 104 helpline of the government,” the Chief Minister said.
He urged the people to adhere to all the guidelines and advisories issued by the government from time to time for the safety of individual as well as the State.
Sawant also appealed to Goans to avoid mass gathering as a precautionary measure from spreading of the COVID-19. “Temples and churches must also follow the advisory and not allow large gatherings,” he said.
He said that all international flights to Goa will be stopped and urged people not to undertake unnecessary travel.
Sawant further urged shop and pharmacy owners to stop stocking sanitizers or selling them at high price as malpractices like such will be viewed as a punishable offence as per the advisory.
“Action would be taken against those who are duping the people,” he said. He said the government will also take strict action if anybody is found spreading fake messages on social media and creating panic.
He said the State will make available the required number of masks and sanitizers in the State.
“As of now there is no need to move around with mask but as a precautionary measure people can use them,” he said.
To avoid the spread of coronavirus, the ‘Raj Bhavan Darshan’ will remain closed with immediate effect until further notice.
