COVID-19: Curfew in Goa extended till June 21, positivity rate stands at 14 per cent

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Panaji: The coronavirus-induced curfew in Goa has been extended till June 21 as the positivity rate in the state stood at 14 per cent. The curfew was first imposed on May 9 and has been extended several times since then, as the state witnessed its positivity rate reaching a high of 51 per cent before dipping gradually to the level now, a Goa government official said.

While essential services are exempted from the curfew, casinos, bars, restaurants, shops, river cruises, schools, colleges, educational institutions etc will remain shut, and social, sports, cultural and academic functions would be prohibited.

Marriage functions have an attendance cap of 50 and they can be held after permission is taken from the district magistrate or sub-divisional magistrate, the official added.

"The inter-state movement of persons is allowed for those carrying COVID-19 negative report for a test done a maximum of 72 hours prior to entering Goa. 

Those entering Goa for medical emergencies are allowed after producing proof of the same. Buses are allowed to operate with 50 per cent seating capacity, but occupants must be those engaged in essential services or traveling for medical purposes," the official said.

Meanwhile, the government on Sunday began a 'Tika Utsav 3.0' vaccination programme in the state.

"I thank the people of Goa for the overwhelming response to #TikaUtsav 3.0. I also congratulate the Doctors, Nurses and Healthcare workers for making a successful beginning to this drive by vaccinating 18,662 in a single day. Let's continue this momentum to achieve 100 percent vaccination," Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said in a tweet.