Party venues told to welcome only fully vaccinated and Covid-negative guests
PANAJI
A day after dithering from imposing any restrictions fearing disruption of the festive tourism peak despite a surge in cases and the threat from the Omicron variant, the State government stepped in on Wednesday and announced a slew of restrictions ahead of the New Year festivities.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said parties and events will only be allowed if guests are either 100 per cent vaccinated or hold Covid-negative certificates.
To this effect, the state government on Wednesday issued an order making full-vaccination certificate or RT-PCR negative report mandatory for entry of asymptomatic persons into various commercial establishments where large gatherings tend to be the norm.
“The number of Covid-19 cases being reported in Goa is increasing and the situation might further aggravate if public gatherings and active interactions are permitted unrestricted,” the order states through which the government has imposed a slew of restrictions and emergency measures to prevent and contain the spread of Covid-19.
According to the order, casinos may now operate only up to 50 per cent capacity, subject to adherence to all Covid safety protocols including the use of face masks, sanitizers, thermal screening and so on. However, entry shall be permitted for the asymptomatic guests or staff who are fully vaccinated and possessing a vaccination certificate of both doses of Covid-19 vaccine issued through Co-WIN portal provided 15 days have elapsed since administration of the second dose of the vaccine.
The guests and staff can also produce an RT-PCR negative certificate for a test conducted not more than 24 hours from the time of entry.
The same rules have been applied to places of public amusement including spas, massage parlours, restaurants, pubs, bars, halls, auditoriums, gyms, marriage venues, cinema halls, river cruises, water parks and entertainment parks. Cinema halls, auditoriums, community halls, river cruises, water parks and entertainment parks have been ordered not to operate beyond 50 per cent of the seating capacity.
Owner, manager, licensee, organiser of such premises or functions will be held responsible for the enforcement of these restrictions including making necessary arrangements for the verification of the documents.
The order further states that the Education Department will issue separate SOPs concerning the opening of schools.
The interstate movement of persons has also been restricted considerably. Asymptomatic persons who are fully vaccinated and possess a certificate to this effect provided 15 days have elapsed since the administration of the second dose, people entering the state for medical emergencies on production of proof, goods vehicles with one driver and one helper and those carrying a Covid negative test report for a test done not more than 72 hours prior to entering Goa have been exempted from restrictions subject to adherence to Covid safety protocols.
In case of goods vehicles, police and other authorities have been directed to scan the drivers and helpers with thermal guns to see whether they display any symptoms and to deny access within the state in case of any symptoms.
Lastly, the order states that any person contravening these directives will be penalised under Indian Penal Code and the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
