PANAJI: With the COVID-19 positivity rate still hovering at 21 per cent, the Goa government on Saturday decided to extend the ongoing "corona curfew", which was supposed to be lifted on May 31, by another week till June 7.
"Government of Goa has decided to extend the curfew till 7 am of 7th June 2021.
The orders regarding the same shall be issued by respective District Collectors," the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) tweeted.
The pandemic-induced curfew was initially imposed in Goa on May 9.
It was supposed to be lifted on May 24 but the state government extended it till May 31 given the surge in fresh coronavirus positive cases.
The COVID-19 positivity rate- the percentage of positive tests- was hovering around 21 per cent in the state.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday told reporters that though the case positive rate dropped to 21 per cent, efforts are on to bring it down further.
Moreover, the state is also preparing itself to tackle the projected third wave of COVID-19 and creating health infrastructure for children.
In the orders issued on Saturday night, collectors of North Goa and South Goa districts said a surge in COVID-19 cases is being witnessed in Goa and other parts of the country, and the situation might further aggravate due to public gatherings and active interactions along with high positivity rate.
"In order contain the spread of the pandemic, certain measures were undertaken and more are required to prevent the further spread of the disease," the orders said.
Currently, all shops except those selling essential items are closed in Goa.
The shops selling essential items can conduct business from 7 am to 1 pm.
Restaurant kitchens are allowed to operate between 7 am and 7 pm.
Medical stores and health-related facilities are kept out of the purview of the current curfew order.
As of Saturday, Goa's COVID-19 tally stood at 1,54,419 while the overall death toll is 2,597, a health official said.