<p>The Bombay High Court's Goa bench on Tuesday ordered that no person will be allowed to enter the coastal state without a negative Covid-19 test report, except in cases of medical emergency.</p>.<p>The court slammed the administration for not implementing its earlier interim order fully and instead carving out an exception for local residents.</p>.<p>Following the court's May 6 directive, administration of North Goa and South Goa districts issued orders last week making it mandatory for visitors to carry negative Covid-19 test reports while arriving.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/oxygen-shortage-kills-26-in-goa-hospital-in-four-hours-cm-health-minister-bicker-984807.html" target="_blank">Read | Oxygen shortage kills 26 in Goa hospital in four hours; CM, Health Minister bicker</a></strong></p>.<p>But a bench of Justices Nitin Sambre and Mahesh Sonak, hearing a PIL on coronavirus situation, pointed out that the order applied to every person arriving in Goa, whether a visitor or local resident.</p>.<p>Despite the unambiguous order, the two District Magistrates carved out exceptions in favor of local residents, those entering Goa for work and those carrying vaccination certificates, the judges noted.</p>.<p>"The District Magistrates...could not have by themselves modified our order," the HC said.</p>.<p>Advocate General Devidas Pangam assured the court that by evening the orders would be amended.</p>.<p>The HC said an exception can be made only for persons entering Goa for medical emergency on production of proof or those who are coming in an ambulance.</p>.<p>Otherwise, from Tuesday midnight the administration shall ensure that no person who does not possess a Covid negativity certificate based on a test done not more than 72 hours before enters the state, the court said.</p>.<p>It will hear the parties about the supply of medical oxygen on Wednesday and affidavits on "the actual position at the hospitals" will be necessary to understand the issue, it added.</p>.<p>The Dean of Goa Medical College and Director of Health Services will file affidavits, the advocate general said.</p>.<p>The affidavits should indicate "whether lack of oxygen supply continues to be the cause for any casualties", said the judges. </p>
<p>The Bombay High Court's Goa bench on Tuesday ordered that no person will be allowed to enter the coastal state without a negative Covid-19 test report, except in cases of medical emergency.</p>.<p>The court slammed the administration for not implementing its earlier interim order fully and instead carving out an exception for local residents.</p>.<p>Following the court's May 6 directive, administration of North Goa and South Goa districts issued orders last week making it mandatory for visitors to carry negative Covid-19 test reports while arriving.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/oxygen-shortage-kills-26-in-goa-hospital-in-four-hours-cm-health-minister-bicker-984807.html" target="_blank">Read | Oxygen shortage kills 26 in Goa hospital in four hours; CM, Health Minister bicker</a></strong></p>.<p>But a bench of Justices Nitin Sambre and Mahesh Sonak, hearing a PIL on coronavirus situation, pointed out that the order applied to every person arriving in Goa, whether a visitor or local resident.</p>.<p>Despite the unambiguous order, the two District Magistrates carved out exceptions in favor of local residents, those entering Goa for work and those carrying vaccination certificates, the judges noted.</p>.<p>"The District Magistrates...could not have by themselves modified our order," the HC said.</p>.<p>Advocate General Devidas Pangam assured the court that by evening the orders would be amended.</p>.<p>The HC said an exception can be made only for persons entering Goa for medical emergency on production of proof or those who are coming in an ambulance.</p>.<p>Otherwise, from Tuesday midnight the administration shall ensure that no person who does not possess a Covid negativity certificate based on a test done not more than 72 hours before enters the state, the court said.</p>.<p>It will hear the parties about the supply of medical oxygen on Wednesday and affidavits on "the actual position at the hospitals" will be necessary to understand the issue, it added.</p>.<p>The Dean of Goa Medical College and Director of Health Services will file affidavits, the advocate general said.</p>.<p>The affidavits should indicate "whether lack of oxygen supply continues to be the cause for any casualties", said the judges. </p>