Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has asked all tourists to strictly follow COVID-19 norms
Panaji:
Predicting a spike in COVID-19 cases in January, state Health Minister Vishwajit Rane today appealed to tourists to take precautions, as Goa is not a banana republic .
Addressing the media after chairing a high-level meeting, the minister said despite repeated appeals to wear masks and practise social distancing, people have not been taking precautions.
Mr Rane predicted a spike in infections in January due to the recently held New Year celebrations and influx of tourists in the coastal state. Tourists should realise that although they are here to enjoy, they must follow safety measures. I saw that 60 per cent of the people at the airport were not wearing masks, the minister said.
» No Pandemic? : It was New Year s Eve as Usual in Goa as People Partied Without Masks
4-MIN READ No Pandemic? : It was New Year s Eve as Usual in Goa as People Partied Without Masks
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India ushered in the new year on December 31 even as the coronavirus pandemic cast a shadow over the celebrations across the country.
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India ushered in the new year on December 31 even as the coronavirus pandemic cast a shadow over the celebrations across the country.
Restrictions such as night curfew was imposed in several cities, including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, with many people preferring to stay in their homes on the occasion. However, as the celebrations around the country remained subdued, visuals of parties at Goa paint a different picture altogether.
Night Curfew to Stop Covid-19 Spread Likely in Goa, Says Minister
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Panaji: The Goa government is likely to impose night curfew in the state on the lines of Delhi to prevent the spread of COVID-19, a state minister said on Thursday. Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, however, did not specify when its implementation is likely to start. He said that he has discussed the issue with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. I have spoken to the chief minister on imposing night curfew in the state on lines of the state of Delhi and Karnataka. The file is already in the process, Rane said in a statement.
Goa considering night curfew in view of tourist surge daijiworld.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from daijiworld.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Spoke to the Hon’ble CM @DrPramodPSawant on imposing night curfew in the state on lines of the state of Delhi & Kar… https://t.co/PCsMXT400V VishwajitRane (@visrane) 1609394824000 Strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) is the need of the hour as Goa is a tourist state, he added.
The minister said that he received a letter from the Union Health Secretary, which asked each state government to ensure that SOPs and strict protocols are laid down considering the coronavirus situation at the local level. Since Goa is a tourist state, it is imperative to have strict SOPs in place, so that we are able to sustain the tourism activities as per the COVID-19 guidelines, he said.