'Open all of Goa's hotels, restaurants & bars; reduce curfew': Goa hoteliers to CM Sawant

As Goa's tourism industry is versely affected due to Coronavirus situation,  state's hoteliers' committee met Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday. committee members submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister and requested to re-open all restaurants, bars and hotels by July 1 with a minimum Standard operating procedure (SOPs). current SOPs put in place by government are practically 'impossible', Gaurish Dhond, President of All Goa Hoteliers Association said.

"Goa is preferred destination for most Indians and y would love to come here," Dhond said.

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Demands by hoteliers

Some of key demands put forth by hoteliers to Chief Minister include; resumption of bars attached to restaurants, extending 9 PM curfew by two hours and opening of all restaurants by July 1. As liquor outlets h been opened as per SOP, allow restaurants to open ir attached bars too as most restaurants in Goa couldn't function without a bar, Dhond said.

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COVID-19 situation in Goa

number of coronavirus positive cases in Goa went up to 951 on Wednesday with 42 more people testing positive for infection, a health official said. However, number of active COVID-19 cases in state is 660, he said.

A total of 84 people were discharged from Covid Care facilities after recovery on Wednesday. So far, 289 people have been discharged, official said. Of 1,991 samples tested so far, 1,274 were found negative, while reports of 672 are still awaited.

So far, two persons have died due to infection in Goa, official said. As per data, COVID-19 cases were found in different parts of state, including rural areas like Sankhali, Morlem and suburban areas, including few pockets in Vasco city in South Goa.

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(With inputs from ncy) (Im PTI)