PANJIM: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Monday ruled out imposing a lockdown in Goa despite the State reeling under one of the worst crisis owing to a surge in COVID-19 cases.
His decision came despite Health Minister Vishwajit Rane insisting on a lockdown, at least for a month, to break the chain.
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“Second wave is very dangerous. The State government has created necessary medical infrastructure to cater to the infected patients. We will not impose lockdown for now but if the situation worsens, we will think about it,” Sawant said after chairing a meeting with Rane and other officials to review the current COVID-19 situation.
He has strictly advised that a person with even the slightest symptom should get admitted without delay. “No one should stay at home but get admitted to hospital once they develop even slightest symptoms. We have created necessary infrastructure and increased the number of beds across all hospitals. At least till now we have not taken a decision on lockdown but strictly we will be taking action on violations of COVID-19 protocol in weddings and other events,” he said.
Goa Police and the district administrations have been asked to implement appropriate behaviour among people such as violation at functions like wedding.
The Health Minister has advocated an urgent need for lockdown owing to rising cases. Quoting experts he expressed fear that the death toll might increase in the next 10 days if stringent measures are not undertaken.
In a series of tweets, Rane said he supports the lockdown for at least one month, on lines with Maharashtra and Karnataka.
“In view of the surge in deaths due to COVID-19, we shall be holding an emergency meeting with the CM to deliberate on what stringent measures can be put in place. In addition to the measures, Goa definitely needs to go under lockdown on lines of the other States like Maharashtra & Karnataka for a particular period. More than economic activities, the lives of the people matter to us,” he tweeted before leaving for an emergency meeting with the CM.
“I am confident that CM will support us on this and we are able to save precious lives. I will be discussing the same on top priority. The government is doing its best, but it is up to the citizens also to follow all the SOPs,” he said, adding, “As much as economic activities are important, it is also important to save lives with stricter measures. Perhaps a lockdown may solve in breaking the chain. We need strict measures and SOPs along with a lockdown for 30 days.”
