Panaji, March 23 Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday expressed displeasure at public prayer services in some of Goa's mosques in the wake of the extended 'Janata curfew', warning of forced quarantine of those participating public gatherings in violation of prohibitory orders.
Sawant, who on Sunday extended the one-day janata curfew for three more days (ending midnight March 25), also announced a relaxation period of a few hours on Tuesday morning in order to allow members of the public to buy essential goods such as milk, bread, vegetables and fruits.
"Section 144 has been imposed, more than three persons should not stay together. There should be no functions in temples, including for Gudi Padwa. I know that masses have been stopped in Churches, but there should be no other functions too. Also, at mosques there should be no community prayers. I heard some mosques were still holding community prayers," Sawant told a press conference at the State Secretariat on Monday.
"Similar action will be taken and they will have to be quarantined for 14 days," he also said.
The Chief Minister also said the government has had to take some tough steps in the past few days, including closing down of the state's road borders and urged people who have returned home from domestic and international travels to get themselves tested and get home quarantined.
The Chief Minister said only three persons are currently admitted to the state government isolation wards.
"We have three suspected patients whose results are awaited. The rest who are home-quarantined are not showing any symptoms," Sawant said.
( With inputs from IANS )