'When Will Phase-II Vaccination For Covid-19 Begin?': Allahabad High Court Asks Central Govt

A Division Bench of Justices Ajit Kumar and Siddhartha Varma ordered the Government to file a better affidavit by February 5, indicating as to when the Phase-I would end and Phase-II would begin.

Earlier, vide order dated January 12, the High Court had asked the Government to come up with a proper vaccination programme.

When the matter was taken up on January 22, the Government was unable to define a fixed timeline and merely submitted that after Phase-I vaccination for front-line health workers end, thereafter persons who are 50 years old and above would be vaccinated in Phase-II.

"In these days of pandemic we have to put to an end to the spread of Covid-19 virus and the Government should come up with a definite programme as to when exactly phase-1 would end and phase-2 would commence," the Bench said.

Inter alia, the Court cautioned that public vaccination is a long drawn public health scheme and it will take time to develop herd immunity through vaccination.

Thus, it ordered the Police authorities to ensure "hundred percent face masking" by people, at least until next three months when the State goes through different stages of vaccinations.

Covid-19: Allahabad HC Asks DGP To Prepare A 'Definite Modus Operandi' To Ensure Social Distancing, 100% People Wear Masks

"This is no time to relax," the Court remarked while directing the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh to personally see that wearing of masks in the State is properly enforced.

Case Title: In-Re Inhuman Condition At Quarantine Centres…

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