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Goa to reopen casinos, night clubs next week: CM Pramod Sawant

The decision follows a recommendation by the State Expert Committee consisting of doctors and experts in the field, who said that it would be safe to reopen casinos and other closed spaces with a limited capacity and with strict protocols being followed.

Updated on: Sep 18, 2021, 23:01:35 IST
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Goa will further relax the Covid-19 curfew and allow the reopening of casinos, spas, nightclubs and other tourism avenues from Monday onwards, Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant announced on Saturday, but said they will open only for those who are fully vaccinated or those who have tested negative for the viral infection.

Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant announced on Saturday that the state will reopen casinos and night clubs with proper safety protocols next week. (HT FILE PHOTO.)
Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant announced on Saturday that the state will reopen casinos and night clubs with proper safety protocols next week. (HT FILE PHOTO.)

A detailed order is expected to be issued by the administration later.

“Casinos can open from Monday at 50 per cent capacity,” Sawant said.

The decision follows a recommendation by the State Expert Committee consisting of doctors and experts in the field, who said that it would be safe to reopen casinos and other closed spaces with a limited capacity and with strict protocols being followed.

“The economy needs to be revived, it should start. It is not just the casino industry, but the hotel industry too. Tourism related activities need to start,” Sawant said.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister while interacting with state leaders and healthcare workers called for resumption in tourism activity now that the state has given the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to more than 11.66 lakh people for a population of 15.5 lakh.

“Our target of vaccinating 11.66 lakh people with the first dose has been completed. We have administered 102% of the initial target with the first dose. We have also completed vaccinating around 5-lakh people which is around 42% of our target with both doses,” Sawant said.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gerard de Souza

Gerard de Souza is a Special Correspondent based in Goa and has been reporting on and about issues concerning the state and the wider western coast of India for over 18 years. His wide range of stories covers politics, crime, environment and tourism-related concerns emerging from India’s smallest state. Born and brought up in Goa, he has a deep understanding of the former Portuguese enclave’s evolution from a laidback collection of idyllic villages that first drew flower power generation of counter culture enthusiasts to its shores to one that has become synonymous in Indian popular culture with an aspirational holiday, seeing the best (and worst) that holidayers have to offer. He also keenly follows criminal trials. Most notably, he covered the trial surrounding the killing of Scarlett Keeling, a British teenager found dead on Anjuna beach, and that of Danielle McLaughlin similarly killed in south Goa, among others. He authored the book ‘Crimes of Passion: When Desire Turns Deadly,’ chronicling cases of romance turning to rage and murder. A graduate of Goa University, he learnt the trade on the job and has experience on both the reporting and editorial sides of the profession. When not sniffing around for a worthy headline, he likes to spend time outdoors to help ensure his heart is always in the right place.

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