Team Herald
PANJIM: With standalone and residential shops allowed to run its business as per the Central government’s revised guidelines, Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) has directed the shop owners to apply for grant of prior permission in order to ensure safety measures are adhered to.
“The shop owners have to adhere to social distancing, engaging 50 per cent of workers and compulsory wearing of masks. They should mark circles or squares outside their shops to ensure social distance, and then apply for permission. Our inspectors will inspect these places and accordingly permission will be granted,” City Mayor Uday Madkaikar said while addressing a press conference on Saturday. The Mayor warned of action against the violating shop owners.
The CCP, he said, will also decide about granting permission to shops which are lined up along the commercial zones such as 18 June Road.
“Let the shops apply for permission first. We will thereafter decide,” he added while replying to a query.
Stand-alone shops in buildings will be allowed to open immediately after obtaining prior permission. “Shops in residential complex or a building with shops lined up, then maybe we will allow five of them to operate on alternate days. If all shops are open on the same day there will be a crowd and we can’t allow that,” Madkaikar explained.
The CCP is also contemplating to occupy the INOX courtyard for allowing vegetable and fruit vendors until; the lockdown period.
“Our local vendors have been facing difficult time as the markets are closed. We are contemplating to occupy the INOX courtyard to sell vegetables and fruits, by following all guidelines of lockdown. The council will decide by Monday,” he said adding that the initiative will largely curtail illegal sale of vegetables and fruits.
The CCP is also mooting increasing fine against those caught selling and using tobacco products. Madkaikar further suggested increasing fine for spitting.
