VASCO: The Verna Village Panchayat unanimously decided to go for voluntary lockdown from May 4 to 11. However, essential shops will remain open from 6 am till 10 am.
The Cortalim Panchayat imposed restrictions on the shops and outlets to break the COVID chain till May 9. Nagoa Panchayat also imposed strict measures barring the shops to remain closed until May 10.
Speaking to Herald, Verna Sarpanch Loren Fernandes said, The Verna Panchayat has decided to go for strict lockdown as COVID cases have spiked in the State and some people from Verna too are suffering due to the infection. To break the chain, the decision was necessary.”
She said that the essential shops such as grocery shops etc will remain open from morning 6 to 10 during lockdown period. People should co-operate and should stay safe. The sarpanch added that further course of action will be taken after assessment of the situation once the eight-day lockdown is completed.
Meanwhile, Cortalim Village Panchayat issued a public notice stating, “With the surge in COVID-19 cases witnessed in the village panchayat jurisdiction and in the State, the situation might further aggravate due to public gathering and active interactions and in order to contain the spread of infection, the panchayat has taken certain measures to prevent further spread of the disease.”
All restaurants, hotels, bars, coffee shops, canteens, eateries, mobile carts, gaddas, garments, mobile are requested to remain closed until Sunday, May 9.
“All hotels and restaurants shall opt for take away services instead of in house dining. All are requested to co-operate with panchayat decision and comply with the instructions,” the order further stated.
Cortalim Sarpanch Senia Pereira said, “They were not going for a lockdown but some strict restrictions have been imposed in the village to cut down the spread of COVID infection for people’s safety.”
She informed that the essential services such as meat shops, vegetable shops, grocery shops and hardware shops will remain open. This is being done to avoid any inconvenience to the people who go for work which are open.
“We will take action if we see rush on these shops too,” Pereira added. Further, Nagoa Panchayat also issued public notice that the village panchayat will take strict measures till May 10, 6 am.
