Goa Curbs expanded to include non-essential services

     Panaji, May 4 (PTI) The Goa government on Tuesday decided to bring non-essential services, including restaurants, under the ambit of the COVID-19 induced restrictions in the state which will remain in force till May 10.<br>                 Modifying the previous order issued by the state government on the extent of the restrictions, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told reporters that non-essential services will remain closed keeping in mind the "sentiments of the people". <br>            Given the alarming rise in cases and alarmingly high positivity rate, the state government had imposed a four-day lockdown in the state, which was lifted on Monday morning but decided to continue the restrictions till May 10. <br>               Several panchayats and municipal areas are voluntarily observing a lockdown in their respective areas even as the government came under fire from Opposition parties led by Congress for lifting the shutdown despite a surge in cases. <br>                 Sawant on Tuesday warned the panchayats and municipalities against shutting down the essential services in the name of a lockdown.<br>                 “If you shut down essential services, it will cause panic among the people. No panchayat or municipality should shut down the shops selling essential products,” he said.<br>                Sawant further said that some panchayats were stopping people from joining their duties.<br>                  “Many people are working in hospitals and pharma companies who need to report to their duties," he added. <br>                 Goa, a popular tourist hotspot, had reported an extremely high test positivity rate of over 50 per cent on Thursday.<br>                Sawnt had announced on Sunday that various commercial establishments will remain closed while political and social gatherings will be banned till May 10.<br>               Various establishments including casinos, bars, sports complexes, auditoriums, community halls etc remain closed along with river cruises, water parks, entertainment parks, gyms, spas, massage parlours, saloons in the state.<br>                 Schools, colleges, and educational institutes also remain closed except for the examination purpose. Religious places in the state are also closed for the public.<br>                 Goa's coronavirus caseload stood at 98,088 as of Monday while the death toll is 1,320, a health official had said. PTI RPS<br>NSK   NSK

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