MAPUSA: Responding to local MLA Joshua D’Souza’s plea for voluntary lockdown, shopkeepers in the town kept their establishments shut on Monday.
Except for few shops dealing with essentials, Mapusa witnessed a total shutdown. However the fish and vegetable markets were open, whereas the municipal market remained shut as per the decision taken by the Mapusa Merchants’ Association to keep their establishments shut till May 10 to break the COVID chain.
MLA D’Souza had requested Mapusa Merchants’ Association, shopkeepers, vendors and the residents to continue with voluntarily lockdown.
“We have decided to keep all the shops except the ones dealing with essentials in the municipal market shut on voluntary basis”, said Ashish Shirodkar, president of Mapusa Merchants’ Association.
“Several innocent people have succumbed to COVID-19 and there is need to take strict action. I request the government to step in since to save our lives. The government has provided relaxation to save our lives, but should enforce a stricter lockdown”, Shirodkar demanded.
“Strong leadership is required like former chief minister Manohar Parrikar to control the prevailing situation in the State including a strict lockdown”, he added.
