Team Herald
PANJIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday ruled out extension of lockdown but announced eight days COVID-19 restrictions from May 3 to 10, to be strictly implemented and adhered to.
The COVID restrictions will be imposed soon after the end of the four-day partial lockdown at 6 pm on Monday, May3.
In a video address to the people of Goa, Sawant said that there will be no further extension of lockdown but the present COVID-19 related restrictions will continue from 6 am of Monday, May 3 to 6 am of May 10. He said Section 144 CrPC was still in force and warned that stern action will be taken against those found violating COVID-19 norms.
However, essential commodities will be available, the Chief Minister said.
Sawant said that casinos, bars, sports complexes, auditoriums community halls or similar places, river cruises, water parks, entertainment parks, gymnasium, spa, massage parlours, salon, cinema halls, theatres, multiplexes, entertainment zones within shopping malls, weekly market, swimming pools, schools, colleges, educational and coaching institution, except for examinations of college students will be shut.
Similarly, religious places will remain closed for the public except for custodian of such establishments may carry out regular activities.
Also social/political/ sports/entertainment/academic/cultural functions and other congregations will be prohibited except for events with the permission of the government, marriages with 50 or less people with permission from the District Magistrate/Sub-Divisional Magistrate and cremation with less than 20 people will be allowed.
There will be no gathering of five or more persons at public places except for official function or with permission from the District Magistrate/Sub-Divisional Magistrate. Use of buses will not be allowed except for people going for duty purpose and medical emergencies, with a maximum capacity of 50%.
The government has allowed opening of restaurants up to 50% capacity from 7 am to 7 pm after which restaurant kitchens will be allowed to provide home delivery/takeaways at anytime; fish market and municipal/panchayat markets will be allowed to function only with proper arrangements for enforcement of COVID appropriate behaviour like social distancing, use of face masks etc.
Shops and establishments will remain operational except from 7 pm to 7 am. However industries/ factories and other essential offices/utilities such as government offices and PSUs, local bodies, medical and health facilities, agricultural related activities, constructions related activities, chemists, groceries/eatables, hotels, the print and electronic media, telecommunication and internet services, banks, insurance, ATMs, petrol pumps, LPG cylinder services will be functional.
All non-government employers are advised to actively plan for and promote work from home for employees working in their shops/establishments/factories and to start physical presence only if essential; All employers should enforce staggered timings for arrival and departure of their employees;
All employees are advised to ensure that employees with symptoms like cough, cold, fever for if they are short of breath etc to remain home and to take appropriate medical care.
Crowding in lifts, staircases, corridors, common areas including refreshment kiosks and parking areas to be strictly avoided and Divyangs and parents with children having special needs are advised to work from home.
The Chief Minister said that COVID-19 restrictions will be strictly followed in the State and violators will be booked under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Sections 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
Sawant thanked the people of Goa for extending their support to the four-day lockdown and with folded hands appealed to them, not to step out of their homes unnecessarily and to support COVID restrictions for proper COVID management.
