09 Sep 2020  |   06:23am IST

Collector acts tough, says fish sales only if norms followed

Team Herald

PANJIM: Three days after the Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) Mayor complained about violation of social distancing norms at Caranzalem beach during fish sales, the North Goa collector has warned the fishermen that the fish sales would be allowed only if social distancing norms are followed.

The North Goa Collector R Menaka convened a joint meeting to discuss the situation after the violations of COVID-19 norms had gone viral on social media.

Panjim Mayor Uday Madkaikar said the Collector has informed them the district administration has taken strong cognizance of violations of social distancing norms.

“The Collector has said that selling of fish would be permitted only if social distancing is maintained,” Madkaikar revealed.

Herald was the first paper to carry the photograph of fish sales at Caranzalem wherein hundreds of people gathered to buy fresh fish.

At the meeting, the Office of North Goa Collectorate has issued directions to fishermen selling fish at Caranzalem beach to maintain social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

Mayor of the Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) Mayor Uday Madkaikar had last week written to Collector R Menaka seeking intervention after a photograph published in Herald exposed negligence at Caranzalem beach. The fishermen would be selling their catch whilst people in large numbers gathered for purchase throwing social distancing norms to the wind. 

“The photograph published in the Herald had gone viral. We too observed that fishermen and people at the beach did not observe social distancing. This could trigger more cases of COVID-19 in the present time when the number is already rising. I had thereafter written to the Collector (North) to issue directions,” the Mayor told Herald. 

The meeting, chaired by Collector was attended by the police, Deputy Collector, CCP Mayor, Commissioner, ward corporator, fishermen association, fisheries department, health officer among others wherein Menaka directed the fishermen to sell fish by maintaining social distancing. 

“The fishermen are allowed to do fishing but the sale will be permitted only if they maintain social distancing,” an official told Herald.