Curfew extended, CM allows few relaxations

The curfew in the state was extended till 19 July, the chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant informed on Sunday even as the country reported 41,506 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, slightly lower than yesterday, and 895 deaths. Goa saw 2 deaths and 131 new cases.

 The chief minister announced a few relaxations include gyms being allowed with 50% capacity, shop to remain open till 7 pm from the earlier 6 pm, religious places allowed to open with 15 people, sports complexes without spectators and restaurants and bars till till 9.p and marriages allowed with 100 persons.

  However, a top official of the government's Covid task force said the second wave is not over yet and people should not let their guard down while health experts have warned of the possibility of a third wave of if there is relaxation in following Covid norms after crowds were witnessed in many places.

WHO's chief scientist also said that infections are rising across most regions of the world as the Delta variant spreads, a clear evidence that the pandemic isn't retreating. However, in Goa itself at the Tika Utsav in Rumdamol, Davorlim panchayat no social distance was maintained, a clear sign that awareness has not permeated to the ground level.

 Over 37 lakh vaccine doses were administered in the last 24 hours. The total doses administered in the country has exceeded 37.6 crore so far, the health ministry said.

The government aims to vaccinate all adults by the end of this year. So far, four vaccines - Covishield, Covaxin, Russia's Sputnik V and Moderna - have been cleared for use in the country. In Margao vaccination for those without identity cards was held.