Despite a surge in Covid cases in Goa and a spike in the positivity rate, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant late on Tuesday said that he cannot impose a curfew or enforce strict restrictions because such measures would "disturb" Goa's tourism business, which has peaked during the Christmas and New Year festivities.
"There is a lot of business due to the tourist season leading up to December 31. We will have to take tough decisions after the meeting (of the task force) on January 3 (Monday), if cases increase like this," Sawant told a press conference late on Tuesday.
"The government is ready to take strict action from next Monday," Sawant said, adding that stringent measures could not be put in place because the state government did not want to "disturb the tourism business".
Also read: Maharashtra Covid-19 cases see a massive jump
Thousands of tourists have landed in Goa for Christmas and New Year celebrations in the state, which is known for its year-end festivities.
Over the last one week, the positivity rate has risen to 4.03 per cent and on Tuesday, Goa recorded its highest daily count of new Covid cases in months, with 112 persons testing positive for the virus. Only one case of Omicron has been detected in the coastal state so far.
The Chief Minister attributed the spike in Covid cases to two weddings where the guest-list included visitors from UK and Germany.
"Increase in cases have occurred due to a wedding, where guests had arrived from London and Germany. The case clusters have emerged following two such weddings. We will have to take precautions regarding weddings," Sawant said, urging the tourism industry stakeholders to desist from holding large events in air conditioned halls.
The Chief Minister also said that the government was mulling making it mandatory for persons who have taken the first Covid dose to opt for the second jab.
Watch the latest DH videos:
Deccan Herald News now on Telegram - Click here to subscribe
Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Dailymotion | YouTube
