Amid COVID-19 pandemic, Goa has re-opened for tourists after a long wai. However, the government has only allowed tourists who are fully vaccinated or have a negative RTPCR report, as COVID cases have decreased in the state.
As soon as the state opened for tourism, tourists have made their way for vacations. One of the tourists said, "Goa govt is very alert. They are asking for masks everywhere and aren't allowing anyone to enter without negative RTPCR report."
The government of Goa amid the pandemic had extended the statewide curfew till August 2. The Goa government on July 19 had issued an order extending the COVID induced curfew in the state till July 26, 7 am which was pulled further again.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant however on Friday said, the rising number of Covid cases in Kerala is a cause for concern. The Chief Minister also advised the general population to adopt precautions during the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festivities, while stating that the state government would devise special SOPs for the festive season ahead after taking stakeholders into confidence. Travellers going to Goa in the upcoming festive season will have to produce proof that they are safe from Covid-19.
"At present I can say only one thing, Covid is still on. Even today the positivity rate in Goa is 1.9 to two per cent. There are one to two deaths. We need to take precautions," the Chief Minister told reporters in Panaji.
With the addition of 97 fresh cases of COVID-19, tally of infections in Goa rose to 1,71,705 on Friday, an official from the state health department said.
At least 133 patients were discharged from hospitals, while one died of the infection during the day, taking the count of recoveries to 1,67,556 and toll to 3,157, the official said. With this, the coastal state is now left with 992 active cases, he said.