According to the order by the Goa state DC, all passengers visiting Goa now must carry an RT-PCR COVID negative report. The report should not be older than 72 hours before entry to the state. Alternatively, travellers can carry a full vaccination certificate received after two doses of vaccination. The rules will be applicable to people coming to Goa by train as well. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant revealed on June 17 that Goa will only resume tourism after the entire population is vaccinated. Everyone above the age of 18 years must be administered the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. Only on achieving this target, Goa will resume tourism. The Chief Minister further revealed that their target is to achieve this goal by July 31.
Tika Utsav 3.0. pic.twitter.com/xGbzudjBWU
— Dr. Pramod Sawant (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrPramodPSawant) June 17, 2021
Goa Will Not Allow Nightlife
While Goa is shut for tourism right now, it will open in a phased manner. The government will open only those activities which won’t trigger transmission of coronavirus. Guests at hotels will be asked to carry a Covid-19 negative certificate and they should abide by all the protocols. Besides, nightlife in Goa will not be allowed to resume till the Covid-19 situation in India comes under control, said Ports Minister Michael Lobo as he stressed the need to protect the lives of people.
RT-PCR Negative Report Or Full Vaccination Certificate Mandatory For Entering Goa
Following Goa state DC’s order, the Railway Ministry has mandated RT-PCR negative test reports for people entering Goa via train. Travellers coming to Vasco Da Gama, Kulem, Madgaon, Sanverdam Church and other railway stations in Goa from other states need to carry a negative RT-PCR report with them or a full vaccination certificate. Certain categories of people, like Goa residents with proof of residence, people coming to Goa for medical emergency with proof, people coming in ambulance for medical emergency, people entering Goa for work purpose with work ID or proof of letter of the employer, will be exempted from the requirement.
Curfew In Goa Till May 23
Taking into account the sudden spike in coronavirus cases, the Goa government has imposed stricter restrictions to combat the infection spread. Taking preventive measures, the Goa government had announced a complete lockdown in the state from April 29 till May 3. Now the government has announced a fresh curfew till May 23. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said during the lockdown period, only essential services and industrial activities will be allowed. Guests can check in to hotels but will not be allowed to leave the premises. All tourists activities will also remain shut.
Apart from that, public transport will remain shut. Hotels and pubs will also remain closed during the lockdown but restaurants can operate for home delivery services only. However, the state’s borders will remain open for essential service transportation.
Earlier, the government had announced night curfew will be in force in Goa. The curfew started on April 21, after the state reported over 9,300 active cases and around 43 fatalities in a span of two days, including the death of a 27-year-old male comorbid patient. The state has imposed fresh curbs on public gatherings as well as tourist activities. Read on to know more.
Revised Rules For Tourists
Goa has imposed new restrictions amid the alarming spike in COVID cases, along with the imposition of a night curfew till April 30. The rules are as follows:
1. Restaurants, bars, casinos, river cruise, entertainment parks, water parks, cinema halls, multiplexes will remain closed.
2. Swimming pools will remain shut.
3. No social, sports, entertainment, cultural or political gatherings can take place.
4. The authority has asked sports clubs in Goa to cancel the tournaments scheduled in this period.
5. Religious places like temples, churches, mosques and mutts will not allow entry of visitors. The collective prayers should take place at homes or virtually. These places of worship can carry out their daily rituals with the priest or the custodian of the establishment.
Violation of the protocols might lead to simple imprisonment of up to one month or a fine of ₹200 or both, under Section 188 of the IPC . Travelling To Maharashtra? COVID Negative Test Report Mandatory From Delhi, Goa & 4 Other States
General Rules
1. Weddings can take place with a maximum of 50 people.
2. Funerals with a maximum of 20 attendees won’t require any permission from the district administration.
3. Schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions will remain shut. This will exclude offline examinations of college students.
4. Class XII and Class X examinations, which were supposed to take place from April 24, have been postponed. The new dates will be announced at least 15 days prior to the examinations.
5. The authority has advised government as well as private offices to encourage work from home.
Meanwhile, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said, “As the second wave is affecting people below 50 years, everyone must take anti-Covid 19 vaccines after May 1.” Vaccine For All Start From May 1: Dos & Donts Of Travel After Vaccination