Vigorously Follow 'Testing, Tracing & Treatment' Strategy: Gujarat High Court Asks State To File Action Plan For Tackling Third Covid-19 Wave

"As on today the cases of Covid have reduced and therefore, it would be easy for administration to trace the contacts, quarantine such contacts and test them and treat them accordingly, so as to see that public at large is saved from the third wave of pandemic which is expected as per the experts' opinion somewhere in October-November 2021," a Division Bench of Justices Bela M. Trivedi and Bhargav D. Karia said.

The Bench was hearing its suo moto PIL on Covid-19 management in the State.

Amid a variety of issues of raised by Advocate AJ Yagnik, with respect to treatment of vulnerable groups, Justice Karia said that the Bench is more inclined to deal with the issues on a macro level.

"In the present situation when Coorna is on verge of reducing level, how this issue is to be addressed for coming third wave, that is our concern…We will concentrate our energy to what is going to come. Let's not examine this at a micro level," he said.

The Bench also heard Senior Advocate Percy Kavina representing the Gujarat High Court Advocates' Association. He submitted that the State Government has not provided the details with regard to schedule of vaccination to be carried out in the State of Gujarat.

No details are made available by the State as to when and in what quantity vaccines would be received and would be administered to the public at large, he submitted.

The State on the other hand claimed that sufficient steps are being taken for vaccination of public at large and it is an ongoing process. It was further submitted that the manufacturers of vaccines have not given any schedule for supply of the vaccines and therefore, it is not possible to place such data on record.

Kavina also urged that the State be directed to make available primary health services in remote/ rural districts. Claiming that the situation in remote areas is 'terrible', he urged the Court to order a physical examination at these places by domain experts like Doctors and Lawyers, who are "completely unconnected" with the Government.

"The State Government may place on record the action plan, if any, prepared to meet with the possible third wave," the Court has ordered.

On the issue of priority vaccination of inmates of Juvenile homes, Old Age homes, Nari Sangrakshan Gruh etc., Yagnik submitted that no steps are taken by the State Government for giving them priority except issuing the circular.

"That will come in cue…it will be given in the course of time," Justice Trivedi said in pursuance of State's affidavit.

The matter is now fixed for hearing on July 2.

Case Title: Suo Moto v. State of Gujarat

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