MARGAO
The implementation of Covid-safety norms in the SGPDA’s wholesale fish market has been one sticky issue for which the authorities concerned have always been found wanting.
Now, to add insult to injury, a lone policeman attached to the Fatorda police station was drafted for the job of issuing challans to violators on Tuesday morning. This, however, hardly had any impact on the situation in the bustling fish market where thousands, including customers and traders, throng.
A visit to the market on Tuesday morning revealed how social distancing and other Covid-safety norms were thrown to the winds. Take note, there were several who were doing business by wearing face masks, but hundreds were seen without these and throwing social distancing to the winds.
Yet again, questions have been raised whether the wholesale fish market business can take place by observing social distancing, given that the activity, which starts in the wee hours of the day and ends around 9 am, involves hundreds of buyers and sellers.
At the height of the pandemic last year, the wholesale market was shut down by the SGPDA after detection of Covid cases. Later, the activity was regulated by allowing only a fixed number of trucks inside the market in a bid to ensure social distancing.
Fatorda PI Kapil Nayak informed that the police were deployed in the wholesale fish market to ensure compliance with the Covid-safety norms.
Saying that the police are spreading awareness in the market to comply with the Covid norms, PI Kapil warned that they will come down heavily on the violators.
