In view of rising COVID cases in the entire nation, and the state of Uttar Pradesh, the Allahabad High Courthas issued a slew of direction to lockdown five cities till April 26.
A Bench headed by Justices Ajit Kumar and Siddhartha Varma had pulled up the government for its lack of response and stated that the medical system could collapse if necessary measures are not taken.
“We find from the scenario that emerges from the Government Hospitals that admission of patients to ICUs are largely being done on the recommendation of VIPs. Even supply of life-saving antiviral drugs namely Remdesivire is being provided only on the recommendation of VIPs..Even the Chief Minister of the State is in isolation in Lucknow,” the order said.
The court said that in any civilised society if public health system is not able meet the challenges.
“Those in the helm of affairs of governance are to be blamed for the present chaotic health problems and more so when there is a democracy which means a government of the people, by the people and for the people,” the order said.
“We can’t shirk away from our constitutional duty to save innocent people from the pandemic which is spreading due to the negligence of a few,” the Bench noted.
The Court, therefore, issued the following orders to the State authorities to be enforced in the cities of Prayagraj, Lucknow, Varanasi, Kanpur Nagar and Gorakhpur:
- All establishments be it government or private, except financial institutions and financial departments, medical and health services, industrial and scientific establishments, essential services including municipal functions, and public transport, shall remain closed till 26th April 2021. The judiciary will, however, function on its own discretion;
- All shopping complexes and malls shall remain closed till 26th April 2021;
- All grocery shops and other commercial shops excluding medical shops, with more than three workers, shall remain closed till 26th April 2021;
- All hotels, restaurants, and even the small eating points on the last etc. shall remain closed till 26th April, 2021;
- All institutions like educational institutions and other institutions relating to other disciplines and activities be it government, semi-government or private shall remain closed including for their teachers and instructors and other staff till 26th April 2021 (this direction is for the whole of Uttar Pradesh);
- No social functions and gatherings including marriage functions shall be permitted till 26th April, 2021. However, in case of already fixed marriages, necessary further permission would have to be taken from the District Magistrate of the concerned district. Gatherings would be limited to 25 persons and the district magistrate concerned shall take a decision after giving due consideration to the prevailing situation of the impact of Covid 19 including notification of containment zones in the area where such marriage has to take place;
- All religious activities in public of any kind is directed to remain suspended till 26th April, 2021;
- All religious establishments of any kind are directed to remain closed till 26th April, 2021;
- All hawkers including fruits and vegetable vendors, milk vendors and bread vendors, shall go off the road by 11 AM every day till 26th April, 2021;
- Containment zones shall be notified every day in two leading Hindi and English newspapers having wide circulation in the districts of Prayagraj, Lucknow, Varanasi, Kanpur Nagar/ Dehat and Gorakhpur.
- All public movements on roads would remain restricted completely, subject to above directions. Movements would be only allowed in case of medical help and emergencies.
