PANJIM: As Goa has not reported any new positive COVID-19 case since April 5, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said the State could be categorised as a Green Zone by April 17, if there are no new patients infected by the virus.
Addressing media persons, Sawant said the South Goa district has been declared a Green Zone by the Union Ministry for Health and Family Welfare. “However, North Goa is under Red Zone,” he said.
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All seven COVID-19 positive cases detected in Goa were from North Goa. Five of them have recovered from the viral infection, while two are undergoing treatment. The last positive case was reported on April 4.
“If there are no more positive detections, then North District will also become a Green Zone by April 17. With this, Goa will be under safe zone, that is Green Zone,” the Chief Minister said.
With the extension of the nationwide lockdown till May 3, the Chief Minister said that strict measures would be put in place to strengthen checking at the State borders, in view of neighbouring Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri district in Maharashtra being classified as Orange Zones and Belgavi in Karnataka also reporting coronavirus positive patients.
“Goa has already sealed its borders except for medical emergencies and transportation of essential goods. We will further strengthen the vigil. We need to take all precautions to ensure safety of the people,” he said.
Sawant said that drivers and assistants of vehicles entering the State with essential goods, will have to go through a dedicated ‘sanitisation channel’ installed at the border before entering the State. “Also, Transport Department, in coordination with Traffic Police, is working to ensure that vehicles entering the State leave their respective places on the same day without staying,” he added.
He said the Health Department has received 2,000 RNA extraction kits from Delhi and added that this stock is sufficient to meet the State’s requirement for the time being. “Also, we have made arrangements of around 20,000 beds to quarantine the seafarers on their return,” he explained.
Sawant urged Goans to continue cooperating with the government during the extended lockdown period till May 3 and appealed to ensure that when moving out in public places, to wear a mask.
