Goa’s state government on Monday extended lockdown measures for another seven days, from 3 to 10 May, as part of efforts to halt a massive outbreak of COVID-19 currently sweeping the country.
India reported another 328,147 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, taking the national tally since the start of the pandemic to almost 20 million. Goa recorded 2,703 cases on Monday.
The extended lockdown follows an initial four-day lockdown announced last week which saw all non-essential services including casinos, hotels, bars, restaurants and tourism facilities ordered closed.
Under revised conditions in place for the next seven days, those same businesses must remain closed while shops selling food must shorten their hours of operation from 15 hours a day to 12.
An order issued by the North Goa District Magistrate said, “A surge in COVID-19 cases is being witnessed in Goa and other parts of the country, and the situation might further aggravate due to public gatherings and active interactions among high positivity rate.”
Before going into lockdown last week, the Goa government had imposed a night curfew from 10pm to 6am with casinos, restaurants, bars and cinemas allowed to operate at 50% capacity during opening hours.
