In the wake of a sudden spike in coronavirus cases, Goa government on Monday decided to impose more restrictions in the state including a night curfew. Schools and colleges will remain shut till January 26, though online classes will continue.
A formal announcement on the night curfew is expected on either Monday or Tuesday. Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant chaired a task force committee meeting to discuss the plan of action to curb the surge in cases.
"It has been decided to close the physical sessions for classes 8 and 9 in schools from tomorrow till January 26," Shekhar Salkar, a member of the task force, told reporters in Panaji. Students of classes 11 and 12 would have to attend the school to take the vaccine against COVID-19. Once they are vaccinated, they need not attend the classes till January 26, Salkar said.
The official further said that the government would also enforce restrictions on indoor activities.
On Sunday, Goa reported 388 new COVID-19 cases, taking the infection tally in the state to 1,81,570, while one death raised the toll to 3,523, as per official data. The positivity rate reached 10.7 per cent.
The state has been witnessing a surge in new cases post New Year celebrations which saw hundreds of tourists thronging beaches, pubs and night clubs in the state, violating Covid norms.
State Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said out of the 2,000 samples tested onboard the Cordelia cruise ship that sailed from Mumbai to Goa, 66 passengers tested positive for COVID-19.
"Out of 2,000 samples tested from Cordelia cruise ship, 66 passengers tested positive for COVID19. Respective collectors and MPT staff have been informed of the same. The authorities will decide whether to allow disembarking of passengers from the ship,” the minister tweeted.
With PTI inputs