PANJIM: Come Monday, Goa will lift restrictions on movement of people provided social distancing is maintained as per guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs. However, Section 144 will continue to be in place and gathering of four or more persons is not allowed.
Goa has been under a lockdown beginning March 21 and till date has just seven COVID-19 positive cases, of which six have already recovered. Effectively, the State has just one active case.
Addressing mediapersons, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant announced that the State will partially relax the lockdown in the State from April 20.
“From April 20, industries in IDC can start operations provided they take permission from the functioning officer of the industrial estate and maintain sanitisation and social distancing at work place,” Sawant said, adding, “Employees from neighbouring States will not be allowed and industries have to manage with whatsoever manpower they have in the State.”
The Chief Minister also said that the people will be given relaxations for house repairs and small construction activity. “They (people) will have to take fresh permission from panchayat and municipalities. The same fresh panchayat/municipality approvals can be used by vehicles for transportation of construction material,” he added.
He, however, said that markets, malls, restaurants and casinos will continue to remain shut. Grocery shops, vegetables and other essential outlets will continue to remain open.
From Monday government offices will also start and all measures have been taken by the administration for sanitisation and social distancing. “The State departments will procure around 1,000 thermal guns and sanitisers,” he said.
The CM also disclosed, that wearing of masks at all public places, including offices, is compulsory.
Stating that the Health Survey received a tremendous response, the CM said that nearly 30,000 patients with respiratory illness were found. “A committee under Dr Jagdish Kakodkar will assess all the health survey records and SARI/ILI illness patients will be tested,” he added.
When pointed out that the situation in neighbouring Belgavi district is grim, considering a spike in COVID-19 cases, the CM said that the government is checking trucks and sanitising the drivers and cleaners before allowing them into the State.
“No home quarantine from now on, anyone who comes from outside will be quarantined in govt facility as government does not want to take any risk,” he said.
Sawant also said that the discussion on the seafarers issue is in the final stage and the decision will be coming soon. “We have already made arrangements for quarantining the seafarers, if they come back,” he said.
