Goa and the whole of India has entered into a total lockdown from midnight that will last for three weeks. We are facing an unprecedented situation, as COVID-19 threatens at the State’s doorstep, while it has already jolted various other States. There is no positive case in Goa, but as stated by Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, this does not in any way signify that the virus has not already entered the State. And it is for this reason that the lockdown has been imposed, as across India the number of cases is increasing and the possibility of infections being transmitted cannot completely be ruled out.
To deal with the threat of COVID-19 we require planned strategies and firm decisions from the government. We also require complete cooperation from the people. This is a time for government and citizenry to act in tandem and not at odds with each other. The 21-day lockdown across the country appears rather harsh as all movement has been restricted, but this could help halt the infections, but only if the people cooperate.
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The State’s decision of Tuesday morning, before Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the shutdown of three weeks, came about mainly due to the people who overcrowded the markets on Tuesday morning picking up supplies and keeping the shelves empty for others. Panic did set in, despite the various assurances from the government. There were clear instructions that social distancing be maintained at all times, but the jostling by people at the markets and stores forced the stringent action taken by the government.
Yet, once again the State government didn’t give the people time to plan for the days ahead when the stores will be closed. For the next seven days, or even 21 days, everything in the State will remain shut, the people should have been allowed some time – a day perhaps – to plan for the week ahead when they will be at home. This was not done. The government had rushed into extending the ‘janta curfew’ by another three days on Sunday but had to bring in some relaxations a day later. There was a lesson to be learnt, but apparently it was not. Hopefully, this time the people will not suffer too much.
It has been announced that essential supplies will be made available to the people by the government in two days time. The logistical issues involved in this are enormous for an administration that has no experience of this sort. Will the government and its vast machinery be able to rise to the occasion and deliver essentials at neighbourhoods? In this, there also arises the question of supplies from outside the State, as the opening of the markets for a few hours in the morning on Tuesday led to a buying spree. Unless the supplies come in from across the border, where from will there be commodities for sale or distribution to the people? Has the State ensured that the supply lines are open? It now becomes imperative that the government not fail on delivering the essentials to the people.
Precautions to avoid COVID-19 are absolutely necessary, there can be no debate on that, but so too is proper implementation of the plans that are made to tackle the situation. The days that the Goans remain in lockdown should not be made difficult by the lack of supplies. It makes sense to advise people to stay at home and not go out as the virus is claiming lives quickly across the world. It is better to take precautions in advance, rather than to rue later. Right now, Goa is safe, it is best to keep it that way and cooperate to keep the dreaded virus out of the State. We pray the Goa remains safe.
