With an unprecedented surge in the number of Covid-19 cases in the country, several States are mulling imposing partial if not total lockdown.
If any State government, including the Goa government, is left with no alternative but to impose a lockdown, then this lockdown should be announced well in advance from the date it comes into force.
This will allow the migrant labourers to go back to their home States. It may be recalled that last year during the first phase of the pandemic, there was absolutely chaos as migrants were left stranded.
People were seen walking hundreds of miles back to their homes. Many lost their lives on the way. Such episodes should not be repeated.
We need to learn from experience. The day from which the lockdown comes into force is important. Migrants should be given sufficient time and the various modes available so that they can travel back to their native villages/towns.
The State governments need to be mindful of the plight of the migrant population and the miseries they have to undergo if and when a lockdown is imminent.
