[Covid-19] Allahabad High Court Asks UP Govt To Consider Administering Vaccines To All Citizens Including Those Below 45 Yrs Of Age

A Division Bench comprising of Chief Justice Govind Mathur and Justice Siddhartha Varma specifically expressed concern for such students who are to appear in the Uttar Pradesh High School and Intermediate Examinations.

"We deem it appropriate to ask the State Government to check the viability of vaccination for one and all and not for just citizens above the age of 45 years. Government should check the viability of inoculating such students who are to appear in the Uttar Pradesh High School and Intermediate Examinations," the Bench said.

[A countrywide vaccination drive was rolled out by the Centre on January 16. The first phase of vaccination was limited to healthcare workers. Thereafter, vaccination of the frontline workers started from February 2.

Recently, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar announced that from April 1, all people above 45 years of age, including people without comorbidity, shall be entitled to get Covid-19 vaccine]

The High Court has also asked the Government to chalk out a "a door-to-door vaccination programme", to combat the recent surge in positive cases.

The observation was made during hearing of a suo moto case registered by the High Court last year to address Covid-related issues.

During the hearing held today, the Bench noted that even though the State Government has taken necessary steps to meet the threat of the second wave of COVID-19, but the directions given by the State are not being complied with by the public at large.

"General public should also realise its responsibility towards the COVID-19 protocol," the Bench remarked while directing the District Magistrates of all the districts in the State of Uttar Pradesh to ensure strict and definite compliance of the directions issued by the Government of Uttar Pradesh from time to time to meet with the threat of COVID-19.

In addition, thereof, the Bench issued the following directions:

• District Administration including Police Authorities are once again earnestly get into action and see that there is 100 per cent masking in every district of the State of Uttar Pradesh. The Director General of Police should on his own level chalk out a programme for this purpose.
• District Administration including Police Authorities should see that no crowding takes place in any place all over the State of U.P. If it finds that any particular place is likely to get crowded, then it should cordon off that area and see that people do not huddle.
• The Panchayat Raj Elections should also be conducted in such a manner that no congregation of people takes place. Be it nomination, be it canvassing or be it the actual voting, it should be seen that all COVID-19 protocols are observed.
• State Government shall examine viability to have night curfew to check late evening and high social gatherings.
• State Government may also examine viability to provide masks and sanitizers to one by utilising the amount recovered on account of violation of COVID-19 protocol.

The matter is fixed for further consideration on April 8, 2021.

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

Click Here To Download Order

Read Order