Questions on Goa lockdown’s efficacy

NT NETWORK

Panaji

Though the 81-hour lockdown began in Goa from 9 pm on Thursday, questions are being raised as to whether it would effectively help to break the chain of coronavirus infection in the state, as many activities have been allowed during the lockdown period.

While announcing the four-day lockdown till 6 am on Monday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had on Wednesday categorically stated that the measure was being taken in order to break the chain of spread of the dreaded virus.

However, as per the order issued by both the District Collectors, shops and establishments will remain operational except between 9 pm and 6 am. It also said the restaurants will be allowed to remain open with up to 50 per cent capacity from 6 am to 9 pm during the lockdown period. The government has also exempted fish markets and municipal/ panchayat markets from the lockdown and allowed them to function with proper arrangements for enforcement of COVID-appropriate behaviour like social distancing, use of face mask etc.

Questions are now being raised on whether the lockdown will serve the purpose of breaking the chain of virus transmission.

Many parts of the state witnessed a huge rush of public in the markets on Thursday evening for buying the necessary food and other items. The standard operating procedures and health norms were thrown to the wind.

Though almost everybody is in agreement with the government on exempting the essential services and industrial activities from the lockdown, many are questioning the government’s wisdom of allowing the state’s borders to remain open.

Even Cabinet Minister Michael Lobo has expressed displeasure over the order issued by the District Collectors imposing the lockdown. He said it has no clarity over execution of the guidelines.

Lobo, who is the Calangute MLA, said he has already spoken to the North Goa Collector, the Chief Minister and BJP state president Sadanand Shet Tanawade over the unclear order and urged the government to redraft it making things clear for the public. He questioned how businesses and shops can be allowed to function during the lockdown period except for the essential services.

The Chief Minister had announced that the weekly markets, public transport, casinos, hotels and pubs will remain closed during the lockdown, which is important to keep people away from large gatherings. However, allowing the shops and establishments to remain open could lead to people coming out of their homes to buy commodities.

The state government has sought support from the police to ensure strict adherence to COVID-appropriate behaviour. The government has also given a free hand to the police to act against violators of the order issued for compliance of guidelines during the lockdown period. The cops have been also asked not to hesitate in removing wedding guests from venues if the guest count crosses the allowed limit of 50.

However, lack of clarity on certain things in the order issued for imposing the lockdown may act as hurdles in the effective execution of the guidelines.

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