PANAJI: There is good news for tourists who want to visit Goa during a pandemic, because the state government has allowed the opening of tourism related activities such as casinos, spas, massage parlors and river cruises from Monday.
All of this will be limited to 50% of their capacity.
However, the state has decided not to allow festivals and electronic nightclubs and nightclubs.
CM Pramod Sawant told TOI that the state-level curfew will be extended, with this relaxation.
Tourism related activities have been closed in Goa because the country was hit by a brutal second wave of Covid-19.
Sawant led the Covid task unit meeting and discussed the recommendations of the expert committee, which suggested the opening of tourism and economic activities.
“The state government will enable economic and tourism related activities including the reopening of casinos, spas, massage parlors and river cruises with a capacity of 50% from Monday, with strict standard operating procedures (SOP),” said Chairman of the Minister.
Sawant said that those who entered the casino must be fully vaccinated or have a negative RT-PCR certificate.
Toi reported on Saturday that the government had written to the Ministry of Union and external affairs to provide special permits to allow charter flights to tourism countries.
“Goa is ready to start tourism and open to welcome tourists.
I think we are the first country to welcome tourists during a pandemic,” Sawant said.
In connection with the opening of the school, the main minister said that the task force had requested an expert committee to make decisions and send it to the task force.
Sawant said that at the meeting, the level of participation was three to four weeks compared to, and remained under 2%.
Members of the Task Duty Committee Dr.
Shekhar Salkar said that the decision would be taken on October 15 whether it would allow EDM festivals in the state.
Salkar said that the Expert Committee will hold a meeting on September 24 or 25 to decide on school opening.
“Most likely, schools can be reopened on October 4 with respect to class IX, X, XI and XII,” Salkar said.
Salkar said that the expert committee has recommended to the state government to vaccinate all school staff.
About 98% of school staff have been vaccinated.
Salkar also said that the Expert Committee will review the situation from time to time and provide advice to the government.
Salkar said that “scientifically, the third wave will come, but this virus must look for goans to infect because of 98% vaccinated”.
“People who are vaccinated get Covid, but the possibility of their death is very low,” Salkar said.