Goa: Coronavirus hits industrial estates, three units shut

MARGAO: After Covid-19 cases were detected in some units in the Verna and Cuncolim industrial estates, South Goa collector Ajit Roy on Thursday ordered closure of three industrial units – one at Verna, and two at Cuncolim – for 14 days in three separate orders.
The closure orders have been issued to Tulip Diagnostics located in the Verna industrial estate, and Global Ispat Pvt Ltd and Indo Spirit Beverages Pvt Ltd, both located in the Cuncolim industrial estate, under provisions of the Disaster Management Act 2005. “In order to contain the spread of the virus among other employees at the employment/work place and at the time of travel from home to industry premises, it is expedient to order closure of the (industrial unit) for a period of 14 days,” the orders read.
All officials and employees of the three units have been directed to compulsorily remain under home quarantine for the two-week period. In case of contravention, action would be taken under Section 57 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the order stated.
TOI had earlier reported that as several of the cases detected positive from South Goa during the last few days had links with the Verna industrial estate — as the patients were either employed at the industrial units or suspected to have had some association with the industrial area — there was possibility of a widespread outbreak if not contained in time.
Both the persons detected positive in Rassaim on Saturday, and subsequently two found in Nuvem, were also employed in the Verna industrial estate.
The Loutolim primary health centre collected throat swab samples of 123 people during the contact tracing of the index patients in Rassaim, out of which 26 people have tested positive for the virus.