PANJIM: From the evidence available, the three days of ‘complete lockdown’ in Goa amidst a significant rise in daily COVID-19 cases was not meant for tourists. The State borders were open, welcoming travellers, and this is evident courtesy the daily media bulletin on the COVID-19 status issued by the Directorate of Health Services.
Although not in large numbers, the State recorded the entry and exit of travellers during the lockdown period from July 17 to 19, 2020. Passengers who traveled into the State till July 17 were 131, which rose to a cumulative figure of 140 on July 19, which means that nine persons entered the State during the three days Goa was locked down.
But there were more as the airport was functional. Airport Director Gagan Malik said the airport functioned as usual as it is a part of essential services. Besides relief flights, all other flights were also functional.
Leader of the Opposition Digambar Kamat questioned the effective enforcement of the lockdown. “The health of the locals must be top priority and focus of the government. When Goans are told to remain inside, naturally the directions must be made applicable to all. There should not be any exceptions,” Kamat told Herald.
Goa Forward Party (GFP) president Vijai Sardesai mocked the manner in which the lockdown was enforced for Goans only while inter-State travel continued. “#Lockdown in #Goa only for #Goans! Not for tourists, those ‘visiting’ their second homes or industries! And of course essential commodities which mainly include coal & ore & its transportation,” the former Deputy CM tweeted.
Responding to a photograph of a tourist van plying on day-1 of the lockdown, Twitter user Saineel Dharwatkar commented, “Goa lockdown but tourism open.”
The short lockdown was also ridden with confusion when Goans panicked and went on a shopping spree during the day’s buffer period between the CM’s announcement of a lockdown and night curfew, and its enforcement.
Lack of clarity on what would remain open and what would be closed, led to confusion with BJP’s own leaders taking potshots at the government. To everynone’s relief, grocery shops, milk booths besides medical facilities remained operational.
Ahead of the lockdown implementation, another Twitter user expressed how safe he felt with the lockdown, a view shared by most of Goans. “3 days lockdown in Goa from tomorrow. Never felt safer than this before,” user Raish Naik said, hoping the curve flattens during the three lockdown days.
“Confused Goa govt to go for complete lockdown as govt failed to control covid cases,” Sandeep Phadke said in a tweet also posted before the implementation.
Congress again demanded that the government release a plan of action and white paper on COVID-19, claiming that a lockdown was no solution to curb rising cases. “Lockdown announced by government was haphazard reaction to our demand of plan of action and white paper on COVID and definitely not a solution to control spike in COVID cases in Goa. The cases are still on the rise,” Kamat said, adding, “The government needs to take everyone into confidence, seek expert advice and accordingly take steps.”
Several people also sought an extension of the lockdown across the State claiming the three days would not have any major effect on reducing cases.
Herald contacted nodal officer for COVID-19 at Directorate of Health Services, Dr Utkarsh Betodkar, seeking to know if the extension would help flatten the curve. He said, “Right now it is on the rise. Nobody can 100 per cent say whether cases have decreased but we all know that due to lockdown there is less interaction. Definitely there will be some effect which will not show in the numbers. Some actions which are taken, we may not know its effect but we know it is done for good,” he said.
In a recent news report from Delhi, AIIMS said short term lockdowns do not help in arresting the transmission of the virus.