With Covid-19 cases piling up in the state, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday urged Goans to stay at home during the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festival and hoped the deity, who is symbolic of strength and intellect, would help Goa tide over the crisis.

Speaking at a Home department function here, Sawant said, "Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in a grand way, but wear masks, maintain social distancing and use sanitisers as much as you can. Ganesh will give us strength and intellect to overcome COVID-19."