PANJIM: People largely remained indoors as Goa entered partial lockdown from Thursday night. However, quite a few commercial establishments, which did not come under the ‘essential services’ category remained open raising questions on government’s seriousness to tackle the COVID-19 second wave in Goa.
The streets wore a deserted look with restricted vehicular movement. The private buses nevertheless remained off the roads in complete compliance with the SOP.
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In Panjim, certain shops like liquor stores, electronic stores, etc had kept their shutters open besides the permitted essential services such grocery, banks, ATMs, pharmacy, petrol pumps, LPG, etc. The restaurants were also open with government permission to allow 50 percent capacity from 6am to 9pm.
To ensure strict compliance of the lockdown, huge number of police personnel is deployed across the State besides district administration also keeping a check. Public announcements are also being made urging people to remain indoors and step out only if necessary, and to follow COVID-19 safety norms.
Opposition leaders as well as leading medical experts have urged the government to implement another two weeks lockdown to break the chain of the virus. Several localities such as Calangute, Candolim, Parra-Arpora and parts of Mapusa and Panjim among others are already declared micro containment zone owing to surge in cases.
