PANJIM: The impact of temporary partial lockdown in the State to keep the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) at bay was felt as shopping marts were flooded with people stocking up on food items despite government emphasizing that malls would remain open.
However, the stores and pharmacies continued to face shortage of hand sanitisers and face masks till Sunday.
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The latest development comes following Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s decision on Saturday to put Goa under partial lockdown till March 31.
“The crowd suddenly increased post-lunch on Saturday and all through Sunday. People were buying huge quantity of vegetables and non-perishable food items from our outlets. The hand sanitisers also ran out of the stock even though we have increased the supply,” manager of a popular chain store, said.
As the number of COVID-19 cases is spiralling every day and three deaths already reported in the country, Goa government has stepped up measures to ensure Goa is safe from the deadly infection. Fortunately, no positive cases are detected so far and reports of two are awaited.
In a high-level meeting chaired by Sawant on Saturday, the decision for closure of classes of pre-primary, primary, middle, secondary, higher secondary and special schools was taken. The examinations will however continue.
In what could cost the travel and tourism industry, the committee also decided to shut down casinos, river cruises, spas, cinema halls, pubs, night clubs and swimming pools from March 15 midnight till March 31, 2020. The advisory also includes massage parlours and gymnasiums; but excludes restaurants and malls. Several casinos including the floating vessels recorded poor turnout of visitors on Sunday.
The shopping malls, particularly markets and stores saw huge rush apprehending shortage of food supply. “We purchased a good stock of vegetables and some non-perishable food items. The situation is getting tensed in the country and since we depend on neighbouring States for vegetables, this is what my family could think of. We are sufficient for at least 10 days,” Pravin Parab, Betki resident, said.
Velancio Vaz, another shopper said, he has purchased sufficient quantity of grocery items and frozen food. “We want to be on a safer side although we have full faith in the government taking precautionary measures. It is better to avoid crowded places as much as we can, and malls, markets fall in this category,” he said. Sources in the government said that supply of vegetables, milk and fruits, flowers will not be affected.
Goa’s neighbouring States – Karnataka and Maharashtra are witnessing increasing cases of coronavirus with the southern State also recording one death. While adequate measures are taken at airport, with large number of passengers entering Goa via railways, the State has decided to set up thermal scanner at each railway station.
Health Minister Viswajit Rane, who proposed the government for safety measures, will on Monday detail out the implementation of directions issued on Saturday.
