MARGAO
With Goa under a lockdown and prospects of an early solution to the Covid crisis appears dim, tourisms stakeholders at the world famous Colva beach seemed to have been left with no option than to shut down.
Day one of the lockdown on Friday saw the Colva beach square road wearing a deserted look, once bustling with tourists and tourism-related activity. Some of the restaurants, including the popular Kentucky restaurant has pulled down shutters.
A visit to the beach belt showed empty beach beds, while water sports boats were being anchored on the beach in view of the four days lockdown.
Many a stakeholder pointed out that it’s better to wind up the business with no tourists visiting the beach in view of the Covid crisis gripping the entire country and the rising cost on the manpower.
Kentucky Proprietor, Mathew Diniz was more forthright in saying he has closed down the restaurant from Thursday in the wake of the lockdown. And, he intends to keep the restaurant shut for a month, adding that he may go for a long shutdown before resuming the operations before the new tourism season. “I have closed down my restaurant from Thursday. There’s been no business for the last several days. My workers will get full payment for this month. Let’s see how the situation unfolds in May,” Mathew said, adding that he has made provisions to provide breakfast, lunch and dinner for his staff.
On the iconic beach, one could find empty beach shacks and beds. The water sports operators too had anchored their vessels on the beach in view of the lockdown.
It was pointed that hardly any tourists had visited Colva in the last few days, adding that those who are staying in the hotels, have hardly come out since Covid cases have spread like fire in the State.
