Panaji: Goa government will involve its cabinet ministers from Monday onwards in ensuring stringent implementation of the guidelines laid down to curb spread of COVID-19.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told reporters that he held meeting with the concerned ministers delegating them the responsibility to ensure that the guidelines of social distancing and prevention laid down by COVID-19 are abided.
He said that each of the each of the minister would be designated respective talukas where they will be holding meetings with senior officials.
Sawant said that the law enforcement related COVID-19 control would be more stringent in the state from Monday.
“Despite seven deaths and rise in cases, I have noticed that people are violating norms of social distancing and don’t wear mask. I appeal people not to take things lightly,” he said.
Sawant said that state government will distribute homeopathic immunity booster to all the people in phased manner.
The chief minister said the current capacity of 1,000 beds in various covidcare centres would be increased by another 500 beds. “Families will be allowed to provide food to their covid positive persons in covid care centres,” he said adding that the family members can deliver food at the entrance of the centre which would be handed over to the respective patient by the staff.
The chief minister said that the state has a ratio of 50 per cent patients getting recovered after admission in the ESI hospital and covidcare facilities.
“ We have 250 beds in covid hospital in which 80 patients are admitted. Of which 30-35 patients are symptomatic,” he said.
The chief minister stated that if required, the state government is ready to take over another hospital to be designated as COVID-19 treatment facility.
Responding to a question, Sawant said that the tourism sector has been opened up bowing to the pressures of the industry players.
“There was a pressure from tourism industry and also we wanted to start the economic activity,” he added.
Sawant said that opening of the sector wont contribute to the COVID-19 outbreak as the tourists undergo test when they arrive.
He also said that tourists, not necessarily, should be visiting the state for tourism purpose, but they may even come as a business trip.
