[Covid 19] Stipulate Stricter Time Schedules For Shops; Minimize Conglomeration: Allahabad HC Seeks Road Map From UP Govt To Restrict Public Movement [Read Order]
The Allahabad High Court on Friday granted two days time to the UP Government to come up with a "complete road map" to minimize public movement and prevent the spread of Covid infection in the state. The Division Bench comprising Justices Siddhartha Varma and Ajit Kumar expressed hope that the Government will take valuable steps to check the incumbent crisis. "We expect...
The Allahabad High Court on Friday granted two days time to the UP Government to come up with a "complete road map" to minimize public movement and prevent the spread of Covid infection in the state.
The Division Bench comprising Justices Siddhartha Varma and Ajit Kumar expressed hope that the Government will take valuable steps to check the incumbent crisis.
"We expect stricter time schedules for shops would be there and also every effort would be made to minimize conglomeration of people in public places and in public vehicles. Here it may be mentioned that even though timings of various commercial activities may be substantially reduced but medical shops and dispensaries might be an exception," the Court suggested.
The observations were made during hearing of suo moto case dealing with the conditions of Quarantine centers in the state, and other Covid related issues.
On the previous hearing, the Court had expressed its concerns over the spike in Covid cases in the State and had remarked that re-imposing a Lockdown may be the only plausible measure to curb the spread of Covid-19.
During the course of hearing today, the Court observed that "no orders of this Court for maintaining social distancing and for enforcing people to wear masks were being implemented."
Significantly, the High Court has kept a contempt application, filed as an intervention in the suo moto case, pending, in case the assurances given by the authorities to implement social distancing norms do not fructify.
Referring to the same the Court said,
"Sri Ram Kaushik, Advocate, has filed a rejoinder affidavit in reply to the counter affidavit which was submitted in the Contempt Petition filed by the applicant. The photographs definitely show that, prima facie, no orders of this Court for maintaining social distancing and for enforcing people to wear masks were being implemented. The applicant has attached these photographs very bonafidely and, therefore, it would be in the interest of justice that by the next date fixed, the State may look into these photographs and take action."
Inter alia, the Court directed the Additional Advocate General to:
- inform the Court as to how the State Government has implemented the directions contained in guidelines dated 1.8.2020, which deal with the issue of spitting around the city after chewing Pan, Gutkha and Khaini;
- apprise the Court as to why cattle fair was organized in Firozabad District despite the COVID-19 guidelines;
- look into application requesting that services of MBBS doctors who are doing their final year of Master Degree, may be utilized as Senior Residents at level-3 hospitals to prevent shortage of medical staff at hospitals.
The matter is now listed for hearing on August 31.
Case Details:
Case Title: In-Re Inhuman Condition At Quarantine Centres And For Providing Better Treatment To Corona Positive Respondent
Case No.: PIL No. 574/2020
Quorum: Justice Siddhartha Varma and Justice Ajit Kumar
Read Order