Panaji, Mar 27 (IANS): Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said he foresaw a "huge scary scenario" in Goa over the ongoing COVID-19 crisis amid chaos and panic in the state over delivery of essential supplies.

Sawant also assured the people that his government was working to establish a home-delivery network and urged people to stay at home as much as possible and follow social distancing norms when they visit grocery stores, which since Friday have been opened 24x7.

"In America more than 80,000 people have contracted this disease. So, do not think that in Goa there are only three patients and that it will remain that way. I forsee a huge scary scenario. I know what is going to happen. Godwilling it will not happen," Sawant said.

On Thursday, Sawant following immense pressure from the public, opposition, a well as from within his own party, was forced to make a U-turn and order the opening of the grocery stores which had been closed since March 22, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a one-day 'Janata curfew'.

The curfew was extended by three more days by the BJP-led coalition government in Goa.

As of Friday, Goa has recorded three COVID-19 positive patients.

On account of the closure of grocery stores for five days, Goa woke up to panic buying for several hours on Friday morning, with no regard for the social distancing guidelines issued by the authorities.

The Chief Minister also took stock of the issue involving supply of food to foreigners and migrant labourers in Goa instructing hotels to get their restaurant facilities operational, so that cooked food could be delivered to those who are stranded in in the state.