<p>The Goa government is in touch with neighbouring governments in Karnataka and Maharashtra over taking back of a large number of labourers from the two states, who are caught in the lockdown in the coastal state, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Monday.</p>.<p>Speaking to reporters, Sawant also said that while he was looking at reviving economic activity in the state, in view of the relaxations recommended by the Central Government through a set of guidelines, the Chief Minister ruled out opening up of the state's boders with Karnataka and Maharashtra, two states between which Goa is wedged in.</p>.<p>"If Karnataka is swilling to take their labourers back, they can. We are in touch with Karnataka and Maharashtra too. We have begun a conversation at the official level over facilitation of their transfer back home," Sawant said.</p>.<p>Thousands of labourers native to Karnataka, especially from districts like Belgaum, Bijapur, Karwar and Hubli district are currently stuck in Goa, on account of the Covid-19 lockdown. </p>.<div>A large number of the labourers are housed in special camps set up by the state government across Goa. </div>.<div>Sawant also said, that while the state government was in the process of kickstarting economic actvity in Goa, opening up of Goa's borders soon was not likely.</div>.<div>"We also want border lockdown to continue because Maharashtra and Karnataka are seeing an increase in the number of cases," Sawant said.<br />Goa had seven active Covid-19 cases when the pandemic broke out globally, all of whom were later treated, making Goa the country's first Covid-19 free state.</div>
<p>The Goa government is in touch with neighbouring governments in Karnataka and Maharashtra over taking back of a large number of labourers from the two states, who are caught in the lockdown in the coastal state, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Monday.</p>.<p>Speaking to reporters, Sawant also said that while he was looking at reviving economic activity in the state, in view of the relaxations recommended by the Central Government through a set of guidelines, the Chief Minister ruled out opening up of the state's boders with Karnataka and Maharashtra, two states between which Goa is wedged in.</p>.<p>"If Karnataka is swilling to take their labourers back, they can. We are in touch with Karnataka and Maharashtra too. We have begun a conversation at the official level over facilitation of their transfer back home," Sawant said.</p>.<p>Thousands of labourers native to Karnataka, especially from districts like Belgaum, Bijapur, Karwar and Hubli district are currently stuck in Goa, on account of the Covid-19 lockdown. </p>.<div>A large number of the labourers are housed in special camps set up by the state government across Goa. </div>.<div>Sawant also said, that while the state government was in the process of kickstarting economic actvity in Goa, opening up of Goa's borders soon was not likely.</div>.<div>"We also want border lockdown to continue because Maharashtra and Karnataka are seeing an increase in the number of cases," Sawant said.<br />Goa had seven active Covid-19 cases when the pandemic broke out globally, all of whom were later treated, making Goa the country's first Covid-19 free state.</div>
