Consider lockdown to curb spread of Covid-19: Supreme Court tells Centre, states

In the wake of the second wave of Covid-19, the Supreme Court has directed the Central and state governments to consider imposing a ban on mass gatherings and super spreader events.

"We would seriously urge the Central and State governments to consider imposing a ban on mass gatherings and super spreader events. They may also consider imposing a lockdown to curb the virus in the second wave in the interest of public welfare," the SC said.

"Having said that, we are cognizant of the socio-economic impact of a lockdown, specifically, on the marginalised communities. Thus, in case the measure of a lockdown is imposed, arrangements must be made beforehand to cater to the needs of these communities," the apex court added.

The top court has asked the Central and state governments to put on record the efforts taken to curb the spread of the deadly virus and the measures that they plan on taking in the near future.

'No patient shall be denied hospitalisation'

On the Covid-19 crisis, the SC has said that no patient shall be denied hospitalisation or essential drugs in any state or Union Territory for lack of local residential or identity proof.

A Bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud directed the Central government to formulate a national policy on admissions to hospitals, within two weeks, which shall be followed by all state governments and till then no patients will be denied admission or essential drugs in absence of local residential or identity proof.

The top court, in its order, noted that gaining admission into a hospital with a bed is one of the biggest challenges being faced by most individuals during this second wave of the pandemic.

"Left to their own devices, citizens have had to suffer immeasurable hardship. Different states and local authorities follow their own protocols. Differing standards for admission in different hospitals across the nation leads to chaos and uncertainty. The situation cannot brook any delay," it said.

"Accordingly, we direct the Central Government to frame a policy in this regard, in exercise of its statutory powers under the Disaster Management Act, which will be followed nationally. The presence of such a policy shall ensure that no one in need is turned away from a hospital, due to no fault of their own," it further added.

'There should be free flow of information'

"There should be free flow of information; we should hear voices of citizens. This is a national crisis. There should not be any presumption that the grievances raised on the Internet are always false. Let a strong message be sent to all the DGPs that there should not be any kind of clampdown," the bench had said.

The Top Court asked the Registrar (Judicial) to place a copy of this order before all District Magistrates in the country.

The Central government is further directed to revisit its initiatives and protocols, including on the availability of oxygen, availability and pricing of vaccines, availability of essential drugs at affordable prices and respond on all the other issues highlighted in this order before the next date of the hearing on May 10.

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis in the country, the Supreme Court on Sunday ordered the Central government to ensure that the deficit in the supply of oxygen to Delhi is rectified by midnight of May 3.

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