the goan I network
MAPUSA
A proactive Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) has decided to shut the municipal market on March 22 in keeping with the appeal made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to observe ‘janata curfew’ to fight the deadly COVID-19.
The civic body has also appealed to the public to refrain from visiting the market from March 23 to 31 in view of the novel coronavirus scare.
“All shopkeepers, vendors and hawkers operating in the Mapusa municipal market are requested to adhere to the PM’s appeal and not to operate in the market from 7 am to 9 pm on March 22,” MMC Chief Officer Clen Madeira said.
He said the decision has been taken to support the initiative taken by the Prime Minister.
In another appeal, the chief officer has requested the public to visit the market only if it is urgent from March 23 to 31 and further not to indulge in panic buying as the market will remain open during the period.
“In the wake of COVID-19 outbreak and to ensure that the spread of coronavirus is stopped in Goa, Mapusa Municipal Council appeals to public to visit the municipal market from March 23 to 31 only if it is urgent and necessary,” Madeira said.
“People are also requested not to indulge in panic buying since the municipal market shall remain open as usual during this time,” he added.
In his public address to the nation on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called for resolve and restraint and asked people to observe ‘janata curfew’ on March 22 to fight the novel coronavirus threat.
The MMC chief officer has been issuing a series of orders and notices to ostensibly pre-empt the spread of COVID-19 and on Friday it was the third day that such notices were issued.
On Thursday, the Chief Officer had directed the municipal inspectors to seize all unauthorized and illegal handcarts dispensing food items and to stop all illegal and authorized sale of pan masala, gutka and allied products within municipal limits.
Similarly, on Wednesday, he had issued a notice advising the public, litigants and lawyers to avoid coming to the municipality and if at all it was necessary to visit the office they should compulsorily wear masks.
He had also suspended public visiting hours and requested the public to submit their complaints and applications at the inward counter.
