VELIM: More Salcete panchayats such as Velim, Ambelim, Davorlim-Dicarpale and Navelim village panchayats have now announced a voluntary partial lockdown in their respective villages following the daily COVID-19 fatalities and positive cases spiralling beyond control
Velim sarpanch Savio D’Silva said, “The Velim village panchayat has commenced its 10-days lockdown from today (Thursday, May 6) till Saturday, May 15 with shops selling essential commodities being kept open from 6 am to 12 noon and later shut. However, pharmacies are exempted. As the Velim sarpanch, I have to safeguard the health and lives of my villagers. Moreover, one’s health cannot be compromised. The Velim village panchayat has still not received any intimation from the health authorities regarding our request for a vaccination camp. Today, being the first day, we have received a good response from the shopkeepers and villagers. The Velim village panchayat has also written to the police as well as the Salcete Block Development Officer (BDO) in this regard and will now write to the Deputy Collector requesting her to instruct the Fire and Emergency Services to conduct a sanitisation drive in the village.”
Ambelim sarpanch Denica Correia said, “The Ambelim village panchayat summoned the panch members and had a meeting wherein it was decided to request the shop owners to keep their stores open from 6 am to 12 noon from tomorrow (Friday, May 7) till Saturday, May 15. Pharmacies are exempted and will remain open as per their regular timings. Ambelim village panchayat has also written to the police regarding this decision requesting their strict vigilance over any possible violations. Also, a public announcement urging people not to unnecessarily step out of their homes has also been made as the daily COVID-19 deaths and positive cases are rapidly increasing. Ambelim village doesn’t have a market but has few shops so we have imposed restrictions similar to the neighbouring Velim village. Due to the high COVID-19 cases, residents are afraid and very cautious so no one is undertaking their annual pre monsoon house repairs this year in our village.”
Former Davorlim-Dicarpale sarpanch and sitting panch member Bina Kulkarni said, “A lockdown has been announced from today (Thursday, May 6) to Wednesday, May 12 in the village with shops selling vegetables, groceries and other essential items permitted to remain open till 11 am in the morning and then down their shutters. People are supporting our decision.”
Former Navelim sarpanch and sitting panch member Frank Fernandes said, “The Navelim village panchayat has decided that all the shops selling groceries except for pharmacies remain open from 6 am to 12 noon and then stay closed from today (Thursday, May 6) to Monday, May 10. However, pharmacies, post office and banks are exempted and will remain open after 12 noon. The Navelim village panchayat has engaged a vehicle that is presently moving throughout Navelim village with announcements being made from a loudspeaker cautioning Navelkars (Navelim residents) not to move out of their homes unnecessarily as the daily COVID-19 deaths and positive cases are increasing.”
