Team Herald
MARGAO: Congress’ Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco on Thursday called upon the State government to impose a 14-day strict lockdown in Goa on account of the increasing number of COVID cases.
Reginaldo reminded the Government that coronavirus cases are increasing at a rapid rate, till August 12, 2020, Goa accounted for 9924 confirmed cases of which 89 people have lost their lives.
“The pandemic is threatening the government offices across the State. There is fear and anxiety in the minds of the government servants and public at large visiting these offices that they too may contract the infection,” he said.
“It is high time every government staff should be checked for the infection to ensure the safety of the staff and the public visiting these offices. All procedures mandated by the government need to be adopted in all government offices and if COVID cases are detected then these offices should be closed for a few days,” Reginaldo advised.
“I request the government to get the rapid testing done of all Goans. All government offices and departments along with public and private transport buses must be sanitised once within two days and the room door handles should be sanitised twice a day” he demanded.
“It is sad to see that the long wait for test results is costing both jobless foreign returnees and resident Goans dearly,” he added.
The COVID hospital in South Goa has inadequate doctor-patient ratio. Lot more needs to be done in this direction to reduce fatalities,” he urged.
“The lockdown between July 17 and 20, 2020 failed to combat the rise in COVID cases as it was too short. To stock up essentials, the public must be informed by the government at least five days in advance before the actual lockdown is imposed or a joint meeting should be called of all Opposition MLAs to find a viable practical solution,” he added.
