Team Herald
PANJIM: As Goa sees end of third-wave of COVID-19 pandemic, the State government allows Cinema halls, casinos, gyms, swimming pools, educational institutions, restaurants, pubs, spas and all other commercial establishments to operate at full capacity. The restrictions are eased after nearly two months.
The travelers or visitors can now enter Goa via a road, rail or air transport without any testing at the State borders, railway stations and airport, on produce of fully vaccinated or RT-PCR COVID-19 negative certificate.
“The Expert Committee, has reviewed the COVID- 1 9 situation in the State and observed that the current new COVID-19 cases and test positivity rate are consistently showing a declining trend along with considerable decrease in active case load in the State,” order issued by Secretary Revenue Ramesh Verma on Monday stated.
As per the existing State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) order, which was issued on January 4 and later on February 15, all commercial establishments have to function with 50 per cent of its capacity.
As per the order issued on Monday, the Casinos are permitted to operate in full capacity subject to adherence to all Covid safety protocols, including use of masks, sanitizers, thermal screening etc. However, entry shall be permitted for the asymptomatic guests or staffs who are fully vaccinated, with 15 days elapsed since the last dose and possessing a vaccination certificate or on produce of COVID-19 RTPCR negative certificate.
Cinema halls/multiplexes/theatres/auditoriums/large closed business establishments are permitted to function with 100 per cent of its seating capacity strictly adhering to CoVlD appropriate behavior.
Place of public amusement, including Spa, Massage parlor, restaurant, Pub, Bar, Hall, Auditoriums, Gyms and Yoga centres, Marriage venue, river cruises, water parks, entertainment parks, swimming pools are permitted to
function to its full capacity.
Local competent authorities are directed to make surprise visit to the premises to ensure compliance of the conditions.
Government stops testing at the State borders, airports, railway stations. “Entry will be allowed to only Covid vaccination eligible persons with two doses of COVID 19 vaccination/fully vaccinated persons or with covid negative test report for a test done a maximum of 72 hours prior to entry in Goa and persons entering in Goa for medical emergencies on production of proof,” the order stated.
Schools are permitted to conduct physical classes for all levels across all working days to its full seating capacity subject to the separate SOPs to be issued by Education Department. While schools resumed physical classes from February 21, colleges begun offline studies from Monday, March 7.