Heena Sharma Blog

  Anticipating a surge in tourists during and after New Year , the Goa government is considering imposing a night curfew on the lines of the one imposed in the national capital and in Karnataka, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said on Thursday. "Spoke to the Hon'ble CM on imposing night curfew in the state on lines of the state of Delhi & Karnataka. The file is already in process. Strict SOPs is the need of the hour as Goa is a tourist state," Rane said via his official Facebook account. Goa has witnessed a surge in the tourist arrivals over the last few weeks, which peaked during the festive season of Christmas celebrations in the state. Tourist authorities in the state are expecting another surge in the arrivals during the New Celebrations which stretch into the upcoming weekend. Read More

The Goa tourism industry can resume only after the lockdown is lifted and the coronavirus situation is completely under control in the country, state Ports Minister Michael Lobo said. Mass gatherings should be discouraged in the state for the next few months to contain the spread of the deadly viral infection, he told PTI on Wednesday. Tourism is one of the major sources of revenue for the coastal state, which is popular for its picturesque beaches among both domestic and foreign tourists. "Even after the lockdown is lifted, we cannot immediately think of opening our borders. We have to make sure the tourism industry resumes only after health protocols are followed," Lobo said. Read More

The Goa government has decided to charge fines between Rs 2,000 and Rs 10,000 from people for drinking and cooking in the open, state Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar said Thursday. The Tourist Trade Act will be amended suitably during the Goa Assembly session beginning on January 29 for this purpose, he informed. "People found creating nuisance like drinking in public or cooking in the open will be fined up to Rs 10,000. While an individual will be fined Rs 2,000, a group indulging in such an offence will be charged Rs 10,000," Ajgaonkar told reporters. In case the fine is not paid, the offender can face imprisonment of up to three months, he added. Business Standard