<p>Fearing the spread of COVID-19 in rural areas of Goa, several villages in Sattari and Bicholim talukas have decided to remain under lockdown for at least four days as a precautionary measure.</p>.<p>Keri village in Sattari, which borders with Karnataka, called for a lockdown on Tuesday and it was followed by Morlem where a bandh was observed, said Laxman Gawas, a member of the Keri village panchayat.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/coronavirus-live-news-covid-19-latest-updates.html" target="_blank">CORONAVIRUS SPECIAL COVERAGE ONLY ON DH</a></strong></p>.<p>Shops were closed in Pale village in Bicholim taluka and Sankhalim Assembly constituency as well.</p>.<p>Incidentally, Sankhalim constituency is represented by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.</p>.<p>Lockdowns will be observed in Keri and few other villages for at least four days, Gawas said.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, state health secretary Neela Mohanan on Wednesday said although there was no need for such self- imposed lockdowns, the government had reports that some villages were imposing restrictions.</p>.<p>State Health Minister Vishwajit Rane had on Tuesday said that a few cases of COVID-19 were detected in Sattari taluka and testing has been initated in villages to reduce the risk of community transmission.</p>.<p>In a press statement, Rane said, "As requested by Sattari MLA Pratapsingh Rane, COVID-19 tests will be conducted in certain areas of Morlem panchayat, including Shiroli and Guleli."</p>.<p>The minister said the situation in Sattari and Usgao was being monitored and all possible measures were being taken to contain the spread.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, a few local public transport unions have also suspended their services fearing the spread in the interiors of the state.</p>.<p>Usgao Bus Owners Association, an organisation representing private buses, has decided not to operate their fleet for a few days.</p>.<p>"The decision was taken after we realised that coronavirus has reached as far as Usgao, a village near Ponda town," said Santosh Manjrekar, executive committee member of the association.</p>.<p>Buses originating from Ponda and plying via Usgao will not be operated for a few days to curb spread of COVID- 19.</p>
<p>Fearing the spread of COVID-19 in rural areas of Goa, several villages in Sattari and Bicholim talukas have decided to remain under lockdown for at least four days as a precautionary measure.</p>.<p>Keri village in Sattari, which borders with Karnataka, called for a lockdown on Tuesday and it was followed by Morlem where a bandh was observed, said Laxman Gawas, a member of the Keri village panchayat.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/coronavirus-live-news-covid-19-latest-updates.html" target="_blank">CORONAVIRUS SPECIAL COVERAGE ONLY ON DH</a></strong></p>.<p>Shops were closed in Pale village in Bicholim taluka and Sankhalim Assembly constituency as well.</p>.<p>Incidentally, Sankhalim constituency is represented by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.</p>.<p>Lockdowns will be observed in Keri and few other villages for at least four days, Gawas said.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, state health secretary Neela Mohanan on Wednesday said although there was no need for such self- imposed lockdowns, the government had reports that some villages were imposing restrictions.</p>.<p>State Health Minister Vishwajit Rane had on Tuesday said that a few cases of COVID-19 were detected in Sattari taluka and testing has been initated in villages to reduce the risk of community transmission.</p>.<p>In a press statement, Rane said, "As requested by Sattari MLA Pratapsingh Rane, COVID-19 tests will be conducted in certain areas of Morlem panchayat, including Shiroli and Guleli."</p>.<p>The minister said the situation in Sattari and Usgao was being monitored and all possible measures were being taken to contain the spread.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, a few local public transport unions have also suspended their services fearing the spread in the interiors of the state.</p>.<p>Usgao Bus Owners Association, an organisation representing private buses, has decided not to operate their fleet for a few days.</p>.<p>"The decision was taken after we realised that coronavirus has reached as far as Usgao, a village near Ponda town," said Santosh Manjrekar, executive committee member of the association.</p>.<p>Buses originating from Ponda and plying via Usgao will not be operated for a few days to curb spread of COVID- 19.</p>