VASCO: With rising COVID-19 cases in the State, Goencho Avaaz Party on Saturday demanded that the government should seal all the borders, shut down casinos, rave parties and postpone Goa Board exams during the second wave of pandemic.
In its press release, Goencho Avaaz Party stated that as Goa hit an unprecedented record of over 900 fresh COVID-19 positive cases in one day on Friday, the party hit out at the government and requested them to stop playing with the lives of Goans.
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In a succinct message to the government, President Swapnesh Sherlekar said, “Our message to the government is very clear – close the borders, shut down casinos and rave parties and postpone Goa Board exams during the second wave. Do it now. The longer the government takes to do this, the more misery they are going to heap on the Goan populace. The government is lacking a well thought-out strategy that is able to straddle both saving lives and economic well-being together.’’
‘’At a time, when so many of our Goan brothers and sisters are suffering, it is of utmost priority for the government to seal the borders temporarily in a bid to contain the spread. Our neighbouring States are witnessing rising numbers. Therefore, now is not the time to be encouraging inter-State travel. However, our government is demonstrating incredible callousness by refusing to shut the borders and is wilfully endangering the lives of its own people in the guise of economic well-being,” Sherlekar opined.
He said, “It is somewhat ironic that the government can conveniently cite COVID-19 as an excuse to suit their narrative when it appeals to them, but refuse to cancel or indefinitely postpone Goa Board exams to keep our children safe. These are basic protocols that will really help alleviate the suffering of Goans, but this government repeatedly proves that they don’t care for the wellbeing of its people.”
Ninio Correia, general secretary said, “Last year, tourism and related industries took a massive hit, with lakhs of people losing their jobs and businesses. The government has had one year to prepare for the second wave. A fund should have been put in place to provide relief to casualties of the tourism industry this year – but this uncaring and directionless government refuses to come to the aid of its people during a global pandemic.”
“Yet, very conveniently the government seems to have all the resources for a one year Liberation Day celebration. Shouldn’t that money be used to help Goans who are struggling financially as a result of this second wave? This is a government of optics and meaningless public relations gestures that seems to have bitten off more than they can chew.’’
Roshan Mathias, vice president said, “Particularly since we had experience of dealing with the pandemic last year, COVID-19 isn’t that big an issue to handle as it only requires a plan and clear thinking.
