PANJIM: In the absence of proper guidelines giving clarity on the three-day lockdown, North District Magistrate R Menaka imposed restrictions within the district banning several services except for ‘essentials’.
The order under Section 144 of the CrPC was circulated to the media a little before the night curfew on Thursday started, which will be followed the lockdown from Friday.
Confusion prevailed in various quarters as the ‘essentials’ were not specified, neither in Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s lockdown announcement nor in the order issued by the magistrate.
As per the order, all shops/establishments except essentials; officials including government excluding those pertaining to essential government functioning and private offices excluding those pertaining to essentials and market except for essentials will remain closed.
Restaurants, tea shops, pan shops, street food
vendors, other food shops/joints (dhabas, gaddas), beach shacks and all other types of eateries, public transport except taxis, sports complexes, shopping malls, wine and liquor shops and all the religious places will also remain shut till 6am on July 20.
“In order to contain the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic, certain measures are required to be taken. Public Health Department dated March 13, 2020 had declared the COVID-19 and H1N1 disease to be notifiable diseases for the purposes of Part II of Chapter VII of the Public Health Act, 1985 throughout the State of Goa. In view of this it is necessary to take exigent measures in this regards so as to prevent any danger to human life or safety, to thwart the spread of the virus, which may affect the overall security of the State and may create disturbance of larger public order and tranquility,” states the order.
It further said that the ban on the mentioned services is in addition to all other activities restricted/banned as per the order last month.
The North Collector also issued a separate order imposing restrictions on movement of people during the night curfew from 8pm to 6am till August 10. “Movement of all individuals for all non-essential activities between 8pm to 6am with immediate effect till August 10,” the order stated.
Goa Police has deployed its force to ensure strict implementation of the night curfew and the lockdown. Sources said several teams have been deployed across various points to ensure people do not step out unnecessarily. Those on the move were being asked to produce identity cards and/or documents related to the work they have moved out for.
