PANJIM: Walking on a tight rope to balance between surging Covid cases and its cash-strapped economy and has opted not to impose any strict restrictions in the State.
The decision was taken even as the single-day COVID-19 cases crossed 100 mark on Tuesday and also reported 1 death case
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The Chief Minister, Dr. Pramod Sawant, said that the Task Force will meet on January 3, next week, to review the recommendations made by the Expert Committee, including imposing night curfew.
Sawant said that even if an expert committee has recommended night curfew immediately it is not possible to implement it as Goa is a tourist state and it will disturb the industry and economy.
“If we impose quick strict decisions in Goa it will turn into a tense situation. We have to understand Goa is a tourist state, however everyone should follow the health guidelines,” he said.
He said that the festive season is till December 31 and lots of tourists are still in the State. It is an opportunity for revival of tourism and economy.
Admitting that daily cases are witnessing rise, Sawant said that any strict restrictions are to be imposed will be only after January 3. “Considering current Covid situation we might be forced to implement strict restrictions after January, 3, next week,” he said adding that government is currently monitoring the situation.
The Chief Minister has urged people and hotels to avoid crowding at wedding and AC hall gatherings. He has also asked hotels to ensure that Covid norms are followed by the visitors.
Stating that currently, 3500 foreign tourists are in Goa, Sawant appealed hotel industry to ensure that their retesting is done.
Further, Sawant informed that State’s second dose coverage is 94 percent while the balance 6 percent is hesitant to take. He said if required government might consider making it compulsory.
Sawant said that the portal for registration of children in the age group of 15-18 years will open on January 1. He also informed that Genome sequencing facility will be made available at GMC and DHS. US-based agencies have agreed to give machines free of cost for a period of one year.
“Omicron is a mild virus with not much hospitalization or complications but transmission is fast,” he said adding vaccination is the only solution to fight virus,” he said.
