MAPUSA
The three-day lockdown announced by the government received overwhelming response in Mapusa on the first day on Friday, with the entire municipal market remaining shut and people remaining inside their houses.
With vehicular traffic remaining thin, the roads wore a deserted look during most part of the day.
Private buses, taxis and motorcycle-pilots were inconspicuous in their absence as public transport was off the road.
A couple of KTC buses that were stationed at the Mapusa bus-stand had no takers.
The fish and the vegetable markets were open but saw very few footfalls. Some grocery stores that opened in the morning had to wind up within an hour as people did not turn up.
“People deciding not to come to the market indicate that they have taken the virus very seriously. People have taken the lockdown seriously and stayed at home,” said a shop owner in the municipal market.
The Mapusa Merchants Association President Ashish Shirodkar informed that the members had decided to voluntarily keep their shops closed for two days (Friday and Saturday) with the sole intention of breaking the Covid chain.
He said the government needs to enforce the lockdown for more days if it was serious to break the chain and arrest the mortality rate in the State.
“The chief minister will have to take some harsh decisions in the interest of the public. The condition in the Goa Medical College and Hospital is frightening and the Covid toll is a cause of concern. To break the Covid chain lockdown is the only solution. Instead of allowing the situation from going bad to worse, the government should go for a 15 day lockdown,” Shirodkar said.
Later in the evening, Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza visited the municipal market ostensibly to inspect the lockdown measures put in place.
He said the shop owners and the people have unanimously supported the lockdown in Mapusa.
“People have fully cooperated with the government and I hope this trend continues for the next three days,” D’Souza said.
He said the Covid situation was quite serious and people also have become aware of the circumstances.
“Certain areas of the town have been declared as micro-containment zones. We are monitoring the situation and reaching out to people in need. People who are in need can call up authorities and the new councillors of the area,” he said.
“Every Mapxexcar should take responsibility in these difficult times and ensure that nobody moves out unnecessarily. Try to stay home for the next three days so that there is less pressure on infrastructure and we can attend to people who need help,” he added.
