Amida rising Covid surge, Goa will undergo a lockdown from Thursday night to Mondaymorning, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said here on Wednesday. Essentialservices and industries will be open, Sawant also said.
Thestep has been taken in the wake of a surge in Covid-19 cases in the state,Sawant said, while urging people not to panic-buy. "The lockdown will belifted on Monday," the Chief Minister said.
Thelockdown will be imposed from 10 p.m. on Thursday to 7 a.m. on Monday.
Sawanthas also urged tourists not to travel within the state during the lockdown,saying tourism activities in the state, including casinos, will be shut down.
"Touristsshould stay put where they are. They cannot travel during the lockdown. Tourismactivity will stop for four days. Casinos will also be shut," Sawant said.
TheChief Minister has also urged migrant workers not to leave the state, assuringthem that the lockdown would be lifted on Monday.
"Thelockdown has been imposed in order to break the Covid-19 chain," the ChiefMinister said, adding that the district administration would be issuing aformal notification in this regard later on Wednesday.
"Essentialservices, like grocery stores, pharmacies, hotel and restaurant kitchens,industries will continue to remain open. Public transport will bestopped," the Chief Minister said.
Goahas seen a surge in Covid-19 mortality rates over the last few days with anaverage of more than 30 persons dying every day from Covid-19 relatedcomplications.
Thestate currently has 16,591 active cases, while 1,086 persons have died fromCovid-19, since the outbreak of the pandemic.