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Amid the rapid rise in CoronaVirus cases, the Supreme Court has urged the Center and the states to consider imposing a lockdown to break the chain in the interest of public welfare.
Big Breaking: Centre shall ensure, in terms of the assurance of the Solicitor General, that the deficit in the supply of oxygen to the GNCTD is rectified within 2 days from the date of the hearing, that is, on or before the midnight of 3 May 2021: Supreme Court pic.twitter.com/sAjed2l9gU
— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) May 2, 2021
It directed the Central Government to re-issue its initiatives and protocols, including the availability of oxygen, availability, and pricing of vaccines, and availability of essential medicines at affordable prices.
A three-member SC bench, comprising Justice D Y Chandrachud, Justice L Nageswara Rao, and Justice Ravindra Bhat said, “We are cognizant of the socio-economic impact of a lockdown, specifically, on the marginalized communities… thus, in case the measure of a lockdown is imposed, arrangements must be made beforehand to cater to the needs of these communities.
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What did Supreme Court say on Lockdown?
- We would seriously urge the Central and State Governments to consider banning mass celebrations and super spreader events – Supreme Court.
- They may also consider putting a lockdown to prevent the virus in the second wave in the interest of public welfare.
- Having said that, we are familiar with the socio-economic impact of a lockdown, in particular, on marginalized communities.
- Thus, if a measure of lockdown is imposed, arrangements should be made in advance to meet the needs of these communities.
- The SC also has asked the Central and state governments to record their efforts taken so far to curb the spread of the deadly virus that has so far infected 1,99,25,604 with 34,13,642 active cases and a total of 2,18,959 deaths.
- The apex court asked the Center and the states to inform them of the measures that they have planned to tackle the global disease shortly.
- Given the COVID-19 crisis, the court then directed that “no patient shall be hospitalized or deprived of essential medicines for lack of local residential or identity proof in any state or union territory”.
Supreme court on current COVID-19 second wave
- The supreme court observed that people are suffering from the second wave of coronavirus badly and getting admission in hospital with a bed is one of the biggest challenges being faced by thousands of people across the country since the beginning of the second wave of the Covid pandemic.
- Different state and local authorities follow their protocols. Different standards for admission to various hospitals across the country lead to chaos and uncertainty.
- The situation cannot brook any delay.
- Accordingly, we direct the Central Government to formulate a policy in this regard in the exercise of its statutory powers under the Disaster Management Act, which will be followed at the national level.
- The presence of such a policy will ensure that no one in need is taken away from the hospital, as there is no fault of their own.
- In its order issued late on Sunday night, the Supreme Court had also directed that the central government work with state governments to create a buffer stock of oxygen so that the supply lines continue to operate even under unforeseen circumstances and decentralization of the location of emergency stocks.
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