In response to an increase in COVID-19 cases in Goa, the government issued an order on Wednesday limiting casinos to 50 percent capacity.
Goa Brings in Restrictions again on Casinos amid Increasing Covid Cases
In response to an increase in COVID-19 cases in Goa, the government issued an order on Wednesday limiting casinos to 50 percent capacity, with entry restricted to people who are fully vaccinated or have a negative RTPCR test report. Similar curbs and conditions can be found in some other establishments, such as cinemas and amusement parks. Only those who have been fully vaccinated and have a certificate of both doses with a 15-day gap since the administration of the second dose will be permitted to enter casinos, according to an order from the State Revenue Secretary.
This year’s casino industry has seen a complete washout of two quarters. Casinos that closed during the second wave in March-April 2021 reopened in September. Goa has seen a sudden increase in COVID-19 cases in the last few days, with 170 cases reported on December 29. This is a seven-fold increase from the previous day, December 26, when the state reported 25 cases.
State Revenue Secretary Sanjay Kumar stated stricter rules
In the order, State Revenue Secretary Sanjay Kumar stated that casinos, cinema halls, auditoriums, community halls, river cruises, water parks, and entertainment parks could not operate at more than 50% of their seating capacity. People who do not have a vaccination certificate must provide a negative RTPCR test report that is no more than 24 hours old from the time of entry, according to the order.
Spas, massage parlours, restaurants, pubs, bar halls, auditoriums, gyms, marriage venues, cinema halls, river cruises, water parks, and entertainment parks, among others, were also ordered to follow all COVID-19 safety protocols, including the use of masks, hand sanitizers, and thermal screening.
The state government has made owners, managers, licensees, and organisers responsible for enforcing the guidelines, which includes making arrangements for the verification of vaccination certificates and test results. Schools may reopen “subject to the separate SOPs to be issued on behalf of the Education Department,” according to the order. In fact, the text of today’s order is similar to one issued on September 19th, which allowed casinos to reopen.
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