Panaji, Mar 31 (IANS): Doctors in Goa above the age of 60 years have been urged not to treat patients in private out-patient departments (OPD), the Goa chapter of the Indian Medical Association has urged on Tuesday, even as the state government urged private practitioners to resume practice and start operating clinics and hospitals to prevent stress on government health infrastructure.

"We request our IMA Goa members to adhere to following guidelines. Those doctors above the age of 60 years to avoid OPD services as far as possible," an advisory issued by state IMA chapter president Dr S. Samuel Arawattigi said in a statement late on Tuesday.

"As far as possible, avoid routine surgeries, emergency surgeries to be performed with all proper care," the advisory said.

Private medical practitioners had stopped attending to patients following the COVID-19 outbreak.

On Tuesday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant urged them to resume practice because of the overload on the government infrastructure.

Doctors have also been advised social distancing in the waiting halls of the respective clinics and hospitals and equip themselves and their staff with proper preventive gear, while treating patients.

According to the advisory, any person suspected to be a COVID-19 patient would be sent to the state's top government facility, the Goa Medical College, via officials of the local public health centre.