COVID19 Preventive Steps Won't Be Effective Unless People Avoid Unnecessary Movement Out Of House : Gujarat HC

The Gujarat HC observed that preventive measures would not successfully and effectively contain the pandemic of COVID-19 unless and until the public at large, the citizenry of the state, who have to be conscious of the threat looming large, avoid unnecessary movement out of their house, gatherings, functions, parties or pleasure trips in and outside the State. The bench reflected that in terms of sensitisation, more needs to be done and that too at the grass-root level where facilities of print and digital media or social media may not be available."The Court is of the firm view that all and any measures taken by Central Government, the State Government, the Superior Courts,be it the Supreme Court or the High Courts of different States would not successfully and effectively contain the pandemic of COVID-19 unless and until the public at large, the citizenry of the State who have to be conscious of the threat looming large should avoid unnecessary movement out of their house, gatherings, functions, parties or pleasure trips in and outside the State. To make them aware although wide spread measures have been taken by the State, organizations linked with the State and not linked with the State, the print and digital media, social media, but still more needs to be done and that too at the grassroot level where such facilities of print and digital media, or social media may not be available or for those who are deprived of such facilities", observed the bench comprising Chief Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Ashutosh Shastri.The Court was considering the suo moto case taken by it to oversee measures to combat spread of Coronavirus. "The Government of Gujarat may therefore take such measures to sensitise and make aware the residents of the suburbans, semi-rural, rural and tribal areas of this pandemic and the precautionary measures they need to take",the bench added.Acknowledging that "the spread of Corona Virus is contagious" and that "gathering of large numbers has to be strictly avoided without fail", the Gujarat HC on Friday observed that "If people out of their sentiments continue to gather in large number at places of worship, the entire efforts to take precautionary measures for the spread of COVID-19 would be frustrated", thereby requesting "one and all to refrain from visiting their places of worship and offer their prayer/puja/service from home instead".The Court authorised the state government to issue the necessary circular to all the District Magistrates/Commissioners of Police and Superintendents of Police of all the districts and quarters of the state of Gujarat to ensure that no gathering takes place at any of the places of worship in the state. "We however do not mean that the daily puja/aarti/service/offering of prayer (namaz) may be stopped in such places of worship but the management of all the religious places of worship may perform it without making it open to public", clarified the bench. Further, the HC took note of the Gujarat State Legal Services Authority issuing directions to all District Legal Services Authorities to organise various programmes in order to sensitize and bring awareness amongst all. Finally, the court also hoped that the state would continue with its endeavor to check, prevent, control and treat the affected or suspected persons of COVID-19 in a strict sense and file its status report by March 27. The court Registry has been directed to send copies of this order to all concerned via print and digital media- fax email, WhatsApp or by special messenger. The court also appreciated Senior Advocate and GHAA President Yatin Oza's statement that the Bar room, tea room and the library of the High Court have been shut down completely and that messages have been circulated on all groups to advocates not to come to Court unless in cases of extreme urgency. The Gujarat HC on Friday also entertained the plea that the Gujarat Real Estate Regulatory Authority and the Gujarat Real Estate Appellate Tribunal defer the hearings except extreme urgent matters till 31st March, 2020.The state's Advocate General stated that the Court be rest assured that RERA or its Appellate Tribunal would not in any manner violate the letter and spirit of the directions to combat the mortal threat posed by Novel COVID 19 in the court's earlier order of March 13. The HC also allowed the two-fold relief claimed that the state government provide all services of diagnosis, laboratory analysis and treatment of Corona Virus free of cost to the persons affected or suspected of being infected in their territorial jurisdiction, and for the state to issue a Press release and also to put the same in public domain about the prevailing situation at the state level everyday on the basis of the IDSP Report. The division bench noted that the checking at the railway stations of passengers arriving at Ahmedabad and in the entire state at stations where inter-state trains are arriving has begun from March 19, that...

COVID19 Preventive Steps Won't Be Effective Unless People Avoid Unnecessary Movement Out Of House : Gujarat HC

Mehal Jain

Tags