Why can’t action be taken against irresponsible party-goers too?

Goa has been partying like there is no tomorrow. Pubs and night clubs have been packed with tourists especially on weekends. Many of them did not mind partying on the pavements.  This paper carried articles highlighting this rather sad state of affairs. Now the Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has decided to approach the CM Pramod Sawant for the suspension of licenses of four nightclubs for violating the mandatory norms put in place to curb the rising case of infections in the state. David De Souza owner of one of Goa’s most iconic nightclubs said “We follow all the sops, we are very clear and it is made clear to everyone entering our club. The employees follow the sops too. If you want you are welcome to come and check for yourself. That’s all I am willing to say.” However ordinary Goans made plain their disgust at the behaviour of people who partied and seemed to ignore the realities of the situation as well as the modalities that had to be observed at such times. Vinod Vernekar an employee in a local construction company strongly felt the government ought to initiate action against such people because they did not seem to understand the seriousness of the issue. He said “The night clubs having their licenses suspended is fine but the people who party and behave in this thoughtless manner should be made to pay. Maybe a stiff fine or perhaps even isolated at home for a certain period of time”. Kevin Fernandes an employee in a large company laughed and said it was difficult to maintain social distancing in a night club. He said “I party but I will say this it was a wrong move to open the night clubs. Remember if the government did not want this to happen they should not have opened these nightspots. Now that they are open they cannot initiate any action against these people”. Niles Shah the President of the TTAG felt this was not the way to go forward. He said “I agree there have to be protocols which have to be followed. The clubs have just opened after months of inactivity. Issue them a strong warning. The clubs could perhaps restrict the number of guests to ensure safety is ensured. You have to understand that in a club it is difficult to ensure social distancing so they will have to take the necessary steps to ensure patrons are not possibly exposed to danger”. Vincent Baracho a businessman based in Panjim felt the actions initiated by the government lost its bite once they decided to open all the services. He said “Partying is not an essential activity but these people seem to think only about themselves. They should realize their elderly relatives could be at the receiving end of their thoughtless behaviour. I think the government should initiate appropriate actions against such people.” Lewin Dsouza the GM of a property in Bardez said if the outlets were found to have flouted the law then they ought to be penalised. He said “I don’t believe in warnings, they ought to be suspended. Everyone knows the situation on the ground. The number of cases are increasing and we have to be tough.” Savio Messias past president of the TTAG felt it would be unfair to suspend licenses. He said “They have just opened and we are now doing this to them. They have been without business for so long. Ministers have been inaugurating places without following the sops, have they been suspended. I have seen this happen in other states on the digital media where night clubs are packed. I absolutely agree that sops have to be followed but can you first give them a warning before going in for the kill. This is really sad.” The message is clear. Send a warning but don’t suspend licenses yet. That would be akin to throwing the baby out with the bathwater