Concern over crowding at shops in Mapusa

Mapusa: With monsoon fast approaching, people are rushing to buy plastic or tarpaulin sheets and as a result crowding is witnessed at shops in Mapusa.

Similar scenes are also being witnessed at shops, banks and other places wherein the queue system is followed but without social distancing.

Despite increasing COVID cases in the state, norm of social distancing is still not being followed seriously by people visiting markets to do their shopping.  Following pre-monsoon showers on Thursday, a huge rush was witnessed at the shops dealing with tarpaulin which is used for covering roofs, open terraces, sheds etc. Shop owners had to face a tough time in managing the rush of customers.

Raising concern about the situation, former councillor Deepak Mahadeshri said that despite cases in Vasco people were still not serious about maintaining social distancing in public places.

“Crowding is taking place at the shops selling plastic sheets, however, there is no social distancing followed,” said Mahadeshri.

While shop owners, expressing helplessness, said that despite repeated requests people do not maintain distancing.

Meanwhile, few other shops also continue to violate norms of social distancing whether it is supermarkets or small stalls which have space constraints. People are seen standing in queues, however, distancing norm is not followed.