Inthe wake of the second wave of Covid-19, the Supreme Court on Monday directedthe central and state governments to consider enforcing a ban on massgatherings and super spreader events as well as consider imposing a lockdown.
"Wewould seriously urge the central and state governments to consider imposing aban on mass gatherings and super spreader events. They may also considerimposing a lockdown to curb the virus in the second wave in the interest ofpublic welfare," the Supreme Court said.
"Havingsaid that, we are cognizant of the socio-economic impact of a lockdown,specifically, on the marginalised communities. Thus, in case the measure of alockdown is imposed, arrangements must be made beforehand to cater to the needsof these communities," the apex court added.
TheSC also has asked the Central and state governments to put on record theirefforts taken so far to curb the spread of the deadly virus which has so farinfected 1,99,25,604 with 34,13,642 active cases and a total of 2,18,959deaths.
Thetop court further asked the Centre and the states to inform it about themeasures that they have planned to deal with the global disease in the nearfuture.
ConsideringCovid-19 crisis, the court then directed that "no patient shall be deniedhospitalisation or essential drugs in any state or Union Territory for lack oflocal residential or identity proof".
Abench headed by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud issued the directive that the centralgovernment should formulate a national policy on admissions to hospitals withintwo weeks.
Thejudge said that the policy should also be followed by all state governments andthat no patients till then will be denied admission or essential drugs inabsence of local residential or identity proof.
TheSupreme Court's order noted that getting admission in hospital with a bed isone of the biggest challenges being faced by thousands of people across thecountry since the beginning of the second wave of the Covid pandemic.
Thetop court observed that citizens have been suffering immeasurable hardship.
"Differentstates and local authorities follow their own protocols. Differing standardsfor admission in different hospitals across the nation leads to chaos anduncertainty. The situation cannot brook any delay," it said.
"Accordingly,we direct the central government to frame a policy in this regard, in exerciseof its statutory powers under the Disaster Management Act, which will befollowed nationally. The presence of such a policy shall ensure that no one inneed is turned away from a hospital, due to no fault of their own."
Inits order released late Sunday night, the Supreme Court had also directed thatthe central government to create a buffer stock of oxygen in collaboration withstate governments to ensure supply lines continue to function even inunforeseen circumstances and decentralise the location of the emergency stocks.