These are increasingly trying times for the citizens of the country. The seriousness of the situation is understandable, the tough measures taken are appreciated, and in these times of confusion it is best to keep the lines of communication open. The 21-day lockdown in the face of the COVID-19 situation, begun with a large number of people wondering where they will get their essential items from. Goa is one State that has closed down even grocery stores, though most other States have decided to keep these open for the benefit of the people, acting in line with the guidelines of the Central government on what should remain open during the lockdown period. People in Goa have been asked to stay home and have been promised that their essential needs would be met, the goods delivered to them by the government or by local grocery stores. As yet it has not happened.
On the first day of the 21-day shutdown, as Goa closed itself absolutely, it was clear that there were many households that had not been prepared for the three long weeks ahead of them. They got little time to prepare. The government has now promised that the supplies to the homes will begin from Thursday, but there is yet no firm plan that has been announced of how this will be done. Local groceries stores have been permitted to supply in neighbourhoods, but only after getting a clearance from the government. The administration has also sought for volunteers who can distribute the essential items to the people. Some local bodies and local MLAs have begun to arrange for the groceries to be delivered to the people. But just how the government machinery gets its act together will be seen form now on. The question is will the government deliver?
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Volunteers and local stores may be part of the answer, but there are others who can help the government meet the demands of home delivery of essentials. All business establishments have been shut down, so it is reasonable to conclude that there are many people who are currently at home who are not entirely productive. The State has private enterprises that specialise in the quick home delivery of foods and also the delivey of other non-food parcels. Since the companies are closed, the staff employed by these could be roped in as couriers of the essentials to the people. There are also a number of taxi drivers and motorcycle pilots who are currently unable to ply their trade. Their services too could be utilised to reach out to the people with their requirements. The main aim should be to ensure that people who are unable to leave their homes are not made to suffer for their wants.
That is a solution if the stores remain closed. This is the very beginning of the shutdown. There are 20 more days to go before the State returns to normalcy. There will be many issues that will arise in the coming days that will demand the government’s attention. As it grapples with these new problems – some perhaps not yet imagined – it is necessary that the food supply chain is kept running smoothly. If there is an improvement in the situation, the government has to open up the markets and the stores, as this will create confidence in the people that the shutdown will get lifted soon. It is easy for the morale of a people to drop when they are cooped up in their homes for a certain period. This should not be allowed to happen in Goa. Let there be police presence in the markets and around the groceries, but the fact that the shutters are open will brighten the mood of the people to a certain extent.
