VASCO: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant’s declaration of four-day lockdown, keeping essential services open, across Goa drew a mixed response from people of Mormugao.
Reacting on this lockdown decision, Nitin Phaldesai, president of Goa Suraksha Manch believes that decision to impose lockdown should have come much before when the cases just started spiking. “At this point the decision to impose lockdown will serve the purpose or not is questionable,” he said.
He argued that the decision of lockdown is much of a namesake, whereas several things such as tourism, restaurants, grocery shops, industries will continue to remain open. “I feel govt should have managed the COVID crises with much expertise during second wave considering the past experiences, but things have not changed for the better and we are still combating COVID crises,” he said.
Agnes Pinto, a youth from Vasco advocates a complete shut down over such strategic lockdown. “The recent announced lockdown seems to be done considering the views of the entire common people and the industrialists. There will be lockdown yet the industries will continue to run. I feel the lockdown means everything should have been shut for few days so that the COVID infection chain is broken,” he said.
Jennifer Levis, Mangor Hill resident felt that the decision to impose lockdown is good considering the rising COVID cases and mortality. “Government should use this lockdown period for speedy vaccination of the people against Coronavirus so that many lives could be saved from this infection. Our aim should be to bring down the COVID related deaths. It is also our duty to get vaccinated and obey SOPs strictly,” said Jennifer.
Chandu Lamani, Physical Education Officer of BITS Pilani Goa campus believes that this lockdown is much of eyewash. “Because I feel at this point the govt can’t afford to have complete lockdown as it will have huge negative impact on economy of the State. This lockdown is more of a nature to bring situation under control.”
He further said, “We should also appreciate the State government’s efforts, who is vaccinating people to save them from COVID19. It is equally our responsibility to abide by the COVID safety norms to cut down the spread of the infection,” he said.
