Team Herald
PANJIM: With the number of new COVID-19 infections rising in the country on a daily basis, the State government has imposed a complete lockdown in the State, sealing the borders, shutting shops and prohibiting public movement except in cases of emergency as a precautionary measure, till March 31. The State has not reported any positive case of Coronavirus so far.
The lockdown has been imposed under The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, from midnight Tuesday and will be in effect till March 31. Police have been given powers under the Act, to take necessary action against those violating the curfew.
The government will be putting in place a mechanism to ensure that essential commodities are made available to the people during the time of the lockdown in a phased manner. Except for pharmacies, hospitals, police and other essential government services and Goa Dairy, nothing else will be operational.
The decision was taken during the Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday, chaired by Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant. This was followed by a meeting with all parties including BJP, Congress, Goa Forward Party, Nationalist Congress Party, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and Independents, wherein all were taken into confidence by the Chief Minister.
The government has constituted a High-Level Monitoring Committee under the Chief Minister to assess the situation and take all decisions with regard to measures to fight COVID-19. The Cabinet has empowered the committee to take necessary decisions.
Addressing media persons post the meeting, the Chief Minister, with folded hands, requested people to adhere to the directions and not to move out of their houses during the lockdown period as a safety measure.
“There is not a single positive case of COVID-19 infection in the State but that does not mean there is no Coronavirus in Goa. Coronavirus does exist in Goa but its infection has not been reported or it may not have been transmitted to any person due to some or the other reason,” he said.
“That is why we need to take utmost precautions. I request everyone to stay indoors and abide by the instructions of the government. We have to ensure safety of all. Health and life of every individual is very important and it becomes everyone’s responsibility to ensure the same,” he added.
“Everyone should support the lockdown. If we abide by it by March 31 then we will be safe,” Sawant added.
He said that the decision of a complete lockdown was taken after reviewing the situation and considering the fact that markets were overcrowded on Tuesday, during the time when a relaxation was granted.
“People have failed to maintain social distancing, people have not understood the seriousness of the issue only because Goa has not reported any cases. But the fact is, in India, on a daily basis there are average 30-40 new cases reported. It is our duty to ensure that India don’t face similar situation like that of Italy or China,” the Chief Minister said.
Sawant, reiterated that those who have arrived in Goa from neighbouring States or other countries, should screen themselves and be home quarantined for 14 days. “People violating the same, would be forced to shift to government set up quarantine centres,” he warned.
He said that 1,000 messages were received on the whatsapp No. informing about people, who have come to Goa off late but were not screened. “Of these 50 per cent cases were related to COVID,” the Chief Minister said.
Responding to a question, Sawant said there are few pharmaceutical companies that have been allowed to function but are banned from allowing employees from Maharashtra and Karnataka to work.
The State has shut down transport facilities completely while nationalised banks with ATMs are permitted to function. The government has also suspended OPDs of primary health centres, while urging people not to visit clinics for regular checkups but only in case of emergencies.
“In case any information has to be given about COVID-19, the CM’s office is working 24 by 7. We have formed a team of 12 people. Everything would be monitored,” he added.
“Government is thinking about supply of essential commodities. In next two days, a plan would be worked out how to supply essential commodities,” he said.
As far as homeless are concerned, they will be kept in shelter homes under the disaster management scheme, he said.
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Guv reviews situation
As State goes in for a lockdown, Goa Governor Satya Pal Malik reviewed the measures to be adopted by the government against the COVID-19 outbreak.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant briefed the Governor about the steps taken by the government so far.
The Governor was also informed that the State has not reported any coronavirus case so far, however, over 100 suspects were kept in isolation in the last three months, with nearly 700 being quarantined at home.
Sawant informed the Governor about the formation of a high-level monitoring committee under his chairmanship. The committee will review the situation every day and take necessary decisions in the interest of the State.
The governor said that all measures must be undertaken to ensure that essential supplies were made available to the people during the lockdown.
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane and Chief Secretary Parimal Rai were also present.
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Virology lab set up in Goa
PANJIM: Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Tuesday announced the setting up of a virology lab at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC), Bambolim.
In a statement, Rane said that the move was possible with the help of the Central Government. “We have procured the PCR machine through the Malaria Control Center, through which real-time testing for COVID-19 will be introduced in a couple of days using PCR technology,” he said.
“This involves the first step of the extraction of the viral RNA in a level 2 biosafety cabinet to ensure complete safety to the processing technical staff. Further course of treatment will be decided based on the result,” Rane added.