Goa: Four more villages opt for self-lockdown

By: Denver D’Souza
SALIGAO: With Covid-19 establishing a foothold in more pockets in the state, four more village panchayats —Agarwada, Merces, Nachinola and Aldona — announced lockdowns as a preventive measure. While Agarwada, Merces and Nachinola will be locked down for eight days, Aldona has announced a threeday lockdown.
Agarwada panchayat in Pernem has warned shopkeepers and others that a fine of Rs 5,000 would be levied on those who violate the lockdown. Only pharmacies, banks, government offices, clinics and dairy stores will be allowed to remain open.
Meanwhile, the Merces panchayat, which abuts Chimbel, has also imposed a lockdown till June 21 due to the rising number of cases in Chimbel. The health department has pointedly refused to declare a containment zone in Chimbel, even though socio-economically, it is near-identical to Mangor Hill.
Aldona, the largest village of Bardez taluka, decided on Saturday to observe a three-day lockdown from June 14 to 16 after a resident tested positive for Covid-19.
Later, the panchayat of the neighbouring village of Nachinola also issued a public notice to close down all shops, outlets, businesses, etc, from June 15 to 21 on account of the coronavirus case detected in Aldona.
“In light of one person in Aldona having tested positive for Covid-19, the decision to implement a complete lockdown across the village was taken at an emergency panchayat meeting. We have also informed the deputy collector, our MLA Glen Ticlo and all relevant authorities about the same. Essential services such as grocery shops will be allowed to operate from 6.30am to 10.30am, while medical stores and banks will operate as per their regular timing,” deputy sarpanch Shukradini Vallabh Polle told TOI.
“As per our information, the person who tested positive, has roamed around extensively in the village the day before he received his test report. Hence, we needed to take this emergency measure,” Polle added.
However, not all residents agreed with the decision for a lockdown in Aldona.
“This is disgusting. Another imported case shutting down law abiding citizens. While Covid-free people were asked to self-quarantine, the affected ones move around freely. We need to implement the rules seriously or we are heading for disaster. Also, panchayats should not be granted powers of declaring lockdowns. They aren’t experts. It should be done only by government authorities to ensure proper implementation. Or else we will have lockdown each time cases surface due to failure in border checks and home quarantine,” Jonas Correia, an Aldona resident said,
Meanwhile, in Nachinola, stores selling essential commodities will remain open from 8am to 10am on June 16, 18 and 20 for the benefit of villagers in view of the lockdown.