HC seeks state reply on preventive steps

Legal Correspondent

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Shimla, March 17

The High Court today sought a response from the state on a petition seeking appointment of an expert body/committee of doctors and executives to monitor the rapidly evolving situation with regard to Covid -19 in the state.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice L Narayana Swamy and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua passed these orders on a petition filed by Nareshwar Singh Chandel contending therein that though there was no confirmed case of Covid-19 in the state, however, it was at risk due to being near Delhi, tourist influx and arrival of visitors from Nepal which shares borders with China. It was further contended that the state was not having sufficient infrastructure to detect Covid-19.

The petitioner has suggested various preventive measures to stop the spread of the disease, including restricting entry of public in official buildings and government complexes, including courts. He has suggested that to avoid hoarding and blackmarketing of hand sanitizers and masks, sale can be made on the basis of ration cards/Aadhaar cards.

It was further contended that though the government was taking preventive measures, these were not sufficient as only four designated isolation wards had been set up, two each at Indira Gandhi Medical College & Hospital (IGMC), Shimla, and Rajendra Prasad Medical College & Hospital, Tanda, whereas considering the wildfire-like-spread of the pandemic in various countries, the state should try to avoid the situation of complete lockdowns, considering the gravity of the pandemic.

It was further suggested in the petition that every district hospital should have at least one isolation ward as it would cut down on the travel part of the Covid-19 infected or suspected person, who otherwise may have to travel either to Shimla or Tanda through various modes of transportation, increasing the risk of spread of the disease.

It was further pointed out that not only at Primary Health Centre, McLeodganj, but specialised health outposts should also be established in other major tourist destinations to screen the tourists. After hearing the matter for some time, the court posted the matter in the first week of April, 2020.