Team Herald
PANJIM: The government has decided to do away with the special transport permits issued, by the Collectors, for plying goods vehicles to smoothen the home delivery and supply chain network. The government has also asked Block Level Officers (BLOs) to become volunteers for home delivery.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant met Chief Secretary Parimal Rai and senior officers to discuss the prevailing situation on COVID-19 in the State.
It was noted that after the opening of grocery shops on Friday, some chaotic scenes were witnessed in various areas and citizens disregarded social distancing norms, as a result many grocery shops had to be closed down by the police.
It was also noted that if the situation is allowed to continue it would be difficult to prevent any further outbreak and transmission of coronavirus and hence it was decided to review the arrangements and to stress upon home delivery of essential items.
It was further decided to allow private goods vehicles, holding valid permits issued by Transport Department, to ply in Goa, to carry food supply and other essential/exempt items.
The requirement of special transport permits, issued by the Collectors’ office for plying such vehicles has been done away with. This will make available idle goods vehicles, which can be used to ferry groceries, food and other essential items. The driver and helpers on-board such vehicles will not require any special pass. However, the government has warned of serious action in case this provision is misused. Also, all health-related safeguards will be ensured by them such as masks, sanitisers etc.
Grocery stores and supermarkets could carry out home delivery of essential items and will prevent unnecessary crowding of the public on the streets and near grocery stores.
It was also decided to allow bakers to home deliver bread and pao. Bakery kitchens could function only for home delivery or through grocery stores and should not carry out retail.
A team of senior officials has been convened to look into complaints pertaining to quarantine and misuse of home quarantine facility by those who have been stamped. These officials will send reports to the Chief Minister’s Office for corrective action if any.
Around 2,000 volunteers are being appointed to deliver goods, groceries and supplies to the needy, especially senior citizens.
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8 more admitted to GMC isolation unit
Eight persons were admitted in the isolation ward of Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) for suspected coronavirus on Saturday. With this, there currently are 29 persons in isolation at GMC.
As per the Health Bulletin issued by the Directorate of Health Services (DHS), there are three persons in contact in North Goa district hospital, eight in sub district Hospital Ponda and 45 in Margao residency. Also, on Saturday, ten passengers were home quarantined.
Three persons, with a travel history, have tested positive for COVID-19 so far. The department is awaiting the blood sample report of 56 passengers.
Nodal officers appointed to streamline food supply
The State government on Saturday appointed two nodal officers, one each for North and South Goa, to manage and ensure the smooth supply of food grains during the lockdown period.
The State Executive Committee (SEC) appointed Commercial Taxes Commissioner Hemant and North Additional Collector Shashank Tripathi to manage the food supply and helpline for South and North Goa respectively.
“They shall coordinate and assess the total demand of people, who need food and source the same through Director Education Vandana Rao,” the order signed by SEC member secretary Sanjay Kumar, reads.
SEC has also directed Assistant Conservator of Forest Anand Jadhav to provide uniformed forest guards to support the nodal officers in distribution of food.
Police ensure social distancing at stores
A day after chaos near grocery shops, with people crowding to buy essential goods, the Police Department increased security measures to ensure the safety of the people. Police teams were evenly spread across various points to enforce social distancing and non-chaotic shopping of essential goods.
On the first day of the lockdown relaxation, several places saw people thronging to buy essential goods, throwing health norms and Section 144 CrPC to the wind. However, on day-2 the situation appeared better with social distancing practiced at many places in the presence of police.
Police personnel also did not spare violators as 838 violations have so far been reported in the State, with 784 in the South District. In all 106 individuals were arrested as per data released at 12-noon, Saturday. Likewise, 46 vehicles have been seized and 77 FIRs registered.
The department has also collected Rs 2.44 lakh approximately as fines from violators.
