SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2024
Team Herald
MAPUSA: Port Minister and Calangute MLA Michael Lobo on Monday warned that FIR will be registered against those shop owners and vendors found without face masks and for failing to abiding by COVID norms.
Addressing at a meeting, he said, “Fine will also be imposed on the violators. Warning will be given twice to shopkeepers and if any shop owner or vendor fails to abide by COVID norms even after two warnings then the Deputy Collector will have the authority to seal the shop”.
The meeting convened with MLAs of constituencies in Bardez taluka, DySP, PIs, Deputy Collectors, Mamlatdar, Joint Mamlatdar, MMC Chief Officer, Health Officials to discuss the precautionary measures that need to be taken to stop the spread of COVID in the taluka.
The meeting was attended by Siolim MLA Vinod Palyekar, Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza, Thivim MLA Nilkhant Halarnkar, DySP Gajanan Prabhudesai, Bardez Deputy Collector Akshay Potekar, Joint Mamlatdar Mamu Hage, health officials and others.
The Minister said, “This meeting has been conveyed on the orders of Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant to discuss the precautionary measures that need to be taken to stop further spread of COVID in Bardez. Such meetings will be held every week.”
Lobo said, “COVID cases are rising in the State. However, lockdown is not solution to it. Strict following of COVID norms is the only solution to stop the spread of virus. People will have to follow the social distancing norms, wear masks and avoid physical touch.”
“Awareness will be created by the panchayat in coordination with local police and health department officials on COVID norms similar to the one done during lockdown in March. Similarly, police in coordination with Deputy Collector, health officials will create awareness at the market, bus stand, administrative building jurisdiction where large number of people move and police will also take strict action against those, who fail to wear face masks and do not practice social distancing,” he added.
