PANAJI: Chief minister Pramod Sawant said on Monday that the state government would start the process of “unlock” in Goa after June 15 and not before that, and added that the state can only think of restarting tourism “after vaccinating the (eligible) population the state”.
Sawant had earlier set July 31 as his target to administer the first dose to the 18-44 age group.
“We will also administer the second (vaccine) dose as soon as possible,” Sawant said.
When asked how the state would speed up vaccination, the chief minister said that through the Tika Utsav, 80% of the 45+ population has already been administered the first dose of the vaccine.
“We are starting Tika Utsav for the 18-44 age group from June 21, and we will complete administering the vaccine for that age group,” he said.
“We have to take precautions for two more months till we complete vaccinating 100% of the eligible population.” Sawant said that the recovery rate is now over 92%, and that the mortality rate has also come down.
He also said that the positivity rate is high in Goa because the state tests all persons who have Covid symptoms.
Sawant also thanked PM Narendra Modi on behalf of the people of the state for taking a decision to provide free vaccines for those in the 18-44 age group.
The CM also lauded the decision to provide the second dose of the vaccine within 28 days for seafarers and students and those travelling abroad.
The state government recently extended the state-level curfew till June 14.
He also said that the state has already started preparation for the third wave.