Goa caps gatherings to 200 in open spaces, 100 indoors as cases shoot up

Chief minister Pramod Sawant said that Covid care centres in the state had been activated again and the government was augmenting its capacity by adding beds and acquiring stadia in Fatorda and Taleigaon.

The decision was taken in a meeting of the State Disaster Management Committee led by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday evening.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that Covid care centres in the state have been activated again and the government is augmenting capacity by adding beds and acquiring stadiums in Fatorda and Taleigaon.

On Tuesday, Goa had 2,471 active Covid-19 cases with the addition of 387 new cases. The Urban Health Centres in Margao, Panaji and the Primary Health Centre in Candolim reported the highest number of active Covid-19 cases, above 200 in each.

State Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said, “There are directions to have less than 200 people in open spaces and less than 100 for weddings, functions etc. The Chief Minister has given directions to the Home Ministry and the police to strictly implement (these).”

On the shortage of beds at the Goa Medical College, which forced some patients to be treated on stretchers, Rane said that 300 beds will be added to the South Goa district hospital. “There are 10 Covid-19 patients on stretchers (at the Goa Medical College and Hospital). We have no beds. We have directed them to be shifted to the South Goa district hospital,” he said.

Rane said that the government will requisition the stadium in Taleigao and the ESI Hospital in South Goa will become a Covid Care Centre.

“People also need to follow safety protocols. Despite imposing fines, people still crowd at several places,” the minister added.