PANJIM: In an order issued by the District Collectors extending the State curfew up to 7 am of July 12, the State government has now allowed bars and restaurants with 50% seating from 7 am to 9 pm from Monday onwards.
On Saturday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had hinted that this would be announced soon, following a request from the affected business community on account of the losses that they had suffered during the span of the prolonged curfew period.
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The orders notified on Sunday night, mentioned all the details as to what is prohibited and what is allowed starting from July 5, Monday until the 7 am of the next Monday, July 12.
Shops including in municipal and panchayat market areas and shopping malls are allowed to remain open from 7 am to 6 pm (home delivery of all these items, except liqueur), will be allowed anytime.
As per the latest curfew order, functions with the approval of the District Magistrate (DM) or Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) are now allowed to have 100 people or 50 per cent of the hall capacity, whichever is less. It may be recalled that in the earlier curfew orders, only 50 people were allowed for marriage functions. This new rule applies not just to marriage functions, but to social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural functions and other congregations, which without permissions from the DM/SDM are otherwise still prohibited.
The crowd capacity for cremation and funerals however remain the same with up to 20 persons permitted without the need for permission.
Canteens and restaurants on the premise of the permitted establishments catering to only in-house staff/residents may remain functional.
While gathering of five or more persons at public places, except for the official functions or with permissions from DM/SDM are prohibited; the public consultation for the draft Coastal Management Plan scheduled for July 8, 2021 shall be permitted till completion of the hearing at the venue authorised subject to compliance of Covid appropriate behaviour.
Casinos in the State will continue to remain shut till July 12 as per the notification, which has also banned indoor sports complex, auditoriums, community halls or similar places, river cruises, watermarks, entertainment parks, gym, spa, massage parlours, cinema halls, theatres, weekly markets etc.
Schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutes will remain shut for the students except for holding competitive examinations after taking prior permission from the authorities.
The order also has an advisory which covers the need for everyone above the age of 18 to get themselves vaccinated, for non-government employers to actively plan for work from home, for all employers to enforce staggered timings for arrival and departure of employees and to ensure that employees with Covid symptoms to remain at home and take appropriate medical care.
They have also advised that crowding in lifts, staircases, corridors, common areas including refreshment kiosks and parking areas to be avoided and for ‘divangs’ and parents with children having special needs to work from home
Amongst the many services that are allowed to be open, there’s banks, medical institutions, cold storage & warehousing etc, all facilities in the supply chain of goods, industries/factories, construction/repairs, public utilities, agricultural activities etc.
Religious places for the public shall also continue to remain closed, however the custodian of such establishments may carry out regular activities.
The rules for inter-state movement and use of buses also remain the same.
Hotels and the hospitality sector are allowed for in-house guests/ residents/ staff.
Additional restrictions imposed in Covid containment zones shall remain in force.
