MAPUSA
Due to the lockdown, Mapusa will miss its weekly market this Friday but the normal market including the fish and vegetable market will remain open for the public.
Although all business establishments are allowed to operate despite the lockdown, most of the Mapusa Merchants are expected to keep their shops closed in the market for three days.
“As per the Section 144 of the CrPC imposed by the North Goa Collector, the weekly Friday market is not allowed but the normal market will remain open. The administration including police will strictly monitor the situation on the ground to ensure that everyone follows the Covid norms,” said Deputy Collector Kapil Phadte.
In order to create awareness among all stakeholders in the market, the deputy collector convened a meeting with Mapusa merchants, members of the jewellery association, taxi owners, motorcycle pilots and explained to them the provision of the Section 144 order.
“We have told all stakeholders the provision of Section 144 and how police can take action and book the violators for disobeying Covid norms,” Phadte said.
He said the police and the municipal staff will jointly monitor the market area and they will take action and book anyone who is found violating the order.
The Mapusa Merchants Association President Ashish Shirodkar said the general perception among the shop owners was that if everything would remain open then the whole purpose of lockdown was defeated.
“If everything is going to function normally, then how will we break the Covid chain? We will request all members to keep the shops closed for three days during the lockdown. In any case, the third day is a Sunday when everything is closed,” Shirodkar said.
He said all other shop owners should also voluntarily keep their businesses closed for three days to break the Covid chain.
