Team Herald
PANJIM: The State of Goa went in for a total shutdown for the second day in succession on Monday even as some citizens broke the lockdown orders and ventured outside only to be sent back by the police.
Following demands and State-wide criticism over the sudden shutdown announcement, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant said the restrictions would be relaxed for a few hours on Tuesday and Wednesday for people to purchase essentials.
(For list of relaxations,
see pg2)
After a last minute announcement of a shutdown in Goa, shops and grocery stores, opened briefly Monday morning – mainly for milk – at 6am in Panjim, Margao and few other places only to be shut after some time.
The police nakabandi was seen at major junctions throughout the State, some questioning the people over reasons for moving out. They allowed vehicles to move only after valid reasons were provided by motorists and scooterists.
CM WARNS OF STRICT ACTION
Stating that the coming eight days are going to be very critical, Sawant on Monday appealed all those who have arrived in Goa, from infected countries or States in India, to get themselves screened for COVID-19 and be in home quarantine for 14 days. The government has warned to act against those, who flout rules or evade the test, by putting them in special quarantine centers, which are set up across the State.
Addressing media persons, Sawant also said that there should be no stigma attached to those in home quarantine and hence people should not hesitate from getting stamped for being quarantined.
As the State government decided to extend the Janta Curfew till March 25, the Chief Minister chaired a cabinet meeting to discuss the impending situation in the State.
“After Prime Minister’s video conferencing last week, we understood the seriousness of the matter, before that we had taken the matter a little lightly since Goa had no positive cases,” Sawant admitted to the media.
“Though, Goa has not reported any positive case of coronavirus so far, it becomes very crucial for us to maintain the situation. Considering that the coming eight days are going to be very risky and critical, the government decided to adopt a slew of measures including a partial lockdown,” he said.
Stating that over 800 people have been home quarantined in the last two months, Sawant said there are some Goans who have returned from outside the State and are yet to get themselves checked.
“Not necessarily the ones who have come from foreign countries but also from various States of India, more specifically, those infected States,” he said.
“We appeal to them to approach the local Primary Health Centres (PHC) or Goa Medical College for testing and get quarantined for the safety of other people and your own family members,” the Chief Minister said.
“If they escape doing it, we will be getting them for checking and they will be home quarantined for 14 days,” he said, adding that all stringent measures are being taken to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
Urging people to provide self declared travel history to medical officers, the Chief Minister explored the possibility that those who have travelled, may transmit the virus to people in Goa, and hence it is necessary to take all precautions.
Sawant has urged people in large towns, village panchayats and residential colonies, to approach the government on toll free No 104, 100 or whatsapp No. 9607909559 and provide details of persons, who have arrived in Goa from another country or State. “The informer’s name would be kept secret, so also the patient name,” he said.
GUDI PADWA CANCELLED
Sawant also said that all functions related to ‘Gudi Padwa’ stand cancelled, while Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed in the state. “I will request public to support the government and police in imposing the measures. Anyone found violating Section 144, police are given full powers, to take strict action. Violations will not be permitted,” he said.
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BORDERS TOTALLY SEALED
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Monday said that since Saturday midnight, the State has sealed the borders for inter-State travellers.
“No tourist taxi/yellow black taxi will be allowed to ply inter-state except for medical emergency till March 31. Private cars with Goa registration carrying up to four persons would be permitted. Also, we are not going to allow any private vehicles to move out of Goa,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that on Sunday night, he visited the border checkpost at Keri from where he sent back a bus carrying passengers from Karnataka. “We alighted all the Goan passengers and rest were sent back. We have sealed the borders completely, except for essential commodities,” he said.
Sawant said that police teams led by an officer to the rank of Police Inspector have been posted round the clock on the border.