While cautiously noting that Goa has yet to witness community transmission of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), the state executive committee (SEC) asked officials to remain vigilant and ensure that all preventive sanitation and containment measures are followed strictly.
The committee, headed by Chief Secretary Parimal Rai, met to take stock of the efforts being made by the state during the lockdown, and its fight against the pandemic.
While five of the positive cases have a travel history, one case is of infection in Goa, with the patient contracting the virus from his brother who had tested positive.
The SEC directed all private-sector establishments, including shops and traders, to adhere to the Government’s advisory issued by the chairman of the national executive committee (NEC). All organisations have been asked to ensure timely release of salaries to their workers without any deduction for the lockdown period when the offices were closed.
The committee also directed landlords, wherever workers, including migrants, are living to not demand payment of rent for a period of one month.
“Any disregard to the above guidelines issued under the Disaster Management Act is a criminal offence and violators shall be prosecuted under the relevant provisions,” the SEC said.
“Any person violating containment measures or not complying with the above directions shall be liable to be proceeded against as per the provisions of Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, , 2005, besides legal action u/s 188 of the IPC,” it said.
