Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday announced a series of restrictions in the state to curb the spread of fresh cases of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), including a night curfew which, Sawant said, will come into effect “immediately”.
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“Night curfew imposed in Goa from 10pm to 6am from today. Essential services to be allowed during night curfew,” CM Sawant announced at press conference on Wednesday evening, a day after he met Union home minister Amit Shah in Delhi to apprise him on the pandemic situation in the state. After the meeting, the chief minister said he will announce a “further action plan” to tackle the pandemic on Wednesday.
On the last day of the night curfew, Sawant did not give a specific date though he said that it would be in effect "tentatively" till April 30.
Other restrictions, as announced by Sawant, include functioning of casinos, bars and cinema hall at 50% capacity only. “Exams for standards 10th and 12th postponed but municipal elections will go ahead as planned,” he added. As announced by the Goa State Election Commission (SEC) on March 30, five municipalities will go to polls on April 23, with counting of votes to take place on April 26.
{{/usCountry}}Other restrictions, as announced by Sawant, include functioning of casinos, bars and cinema hall at 50% capacity only. “Exams for standards 10th and 12th postponed but municipal elections will go ahead as planned,” he added. As announced by the Goa State Election Commission (SEC) on March 30, five municipalities will go to polls on April 23, with counting of votes to take place on April 26.
{{/usCountry}}On Wednesday, Goa's Covid-19 tally increased by 1,502 new cases, its highest since the beginning of the pandemic, a health department bulletin showed. There were 17 related deaths as well, the bulletin further showed. The state's infection tally stands at 70,814 including 60,571 recoveries, 9300 active cases and 943 deaths.
On April 20, Goa saw more than 1,000 fresh infections for the first time, as the state’s Covid-19 tally rose by 1,160 new cases, while there were 26 related deaths as well, the highest single day toll thus far.