Team Herald
VASCO: Some industries manufacturing and supplying essential services and commodities such as pharmaceuticals from Goa would likely be allowed to begin operations shortly, after screening the workers for COVID-19.
“This is necessary so that economic activities can continue and the workers can earn something,” Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho said.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Godinho said, “daily wage workers cannot be neglected and though the government has supplied them with ration.”
“After discussion in the Cabinet meeting, we have decided that with boundaries sealed, we will allow the industries to function internally restricted to Goa,” he said.
“We will request the major industries to buy COVID-19 test kits and after screening their workers, they can commence work,” Godinho explained.
When asked how long it would take to screen the workers, he said that it would take around two days. “By April 14, this will be enforced, because economic activity also has to continue and it is also important to maintain social distancing,” he said.
When asked, in the absence of public transport, how the labourers would reach their work destination, the minister said that the factories can take care of their transport.
“Some factories have their own transport. They can ferry workers by maintaining social distancing. And the companies that don’t have their own vehicles can be supplied with Kadamba buses as and when required,” Godinho said.
