High Time To Frame A Policy Regarding Opening Retail Stores: Kerala High Court Seeks State's Response

The Kerala High Court on Thursday sought the State's response regarding its opinion on reopening retail outlets including textile stores on all days amid the ongoing pandemic. 

Justice T.R Ravi issued the above directive while hearing a plea filed by the Kerala Textiles and Garments Dealers Welfare praying for the State to permit dealers to open their stores every day as opposed to the current restriction of operating only on allotted days of Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. 

Senior Advocate Jaju Babu representing the petitioner argued that the very survival of the dealers and their employees depended on the opening of their stores on all days. he submitted that the traders were finding it impossible to make the ends meet with the current pandemic. The matter will be taken up again on 22nd July before which the State has been asked to file its response. 

During the proceedings, the Court orally observed that the State's efforts to implement measures for crowd-control were not efficient. This was particularly noticed on occasions calling for a huge gathering of people. It remarked that people still declined to follow social distancing norms and that the only precaution taken was carrying masks with them. Justice Ravi pointed out that it was high time for the State to frame a policy to regulate the same. 

The Single Bench also directed the State's response regarding how restrictions were formulated based on the test positivity rate.  

The Government Pleader responded that the restrictions were imposed according to the recommendations of an expert committee. It was further submitted that the same recommendations were presented to the Chief Secretary as well as the State Disaster Management Authority.