PANAJI
Confusion prevailed among shop owners dealing in essential services as many panchayats, using police force, have started implementing a total lockdown after 1 pm.
The panchayats and municipal bodies have issued orders to operate essential services in the morning from 8 am to 1 pm. However, some shop owners are still confused with the regulations as the government has ordered to keep essential services open.
"We are confused with the panchayat's stand but lockdown is needed so we have decided to keep our shops shut after 1 pm", said a shopkeeper.
Even some fair price shop operators are keeping their stores closed after 1 pm.
Some shopkeepers feel that the stores should be kept open following strict social distancing norms.
"They just got the order out and made everyone shut shops. The order was not even circulated," complained a citizen from Taleigao.
Another citizen said that keeping shops open for a short time create crowds which is counter-productive in breaking the chain of Covid.
Some citizen supported the lockdown and said we can do the purchases in the morning itself, appealing to citizens to cooperate with the panchayats.
