[Suo motu COVID-19] Efforts of the State government will yield results only if public cooperates: Allahabad High Court

The Allahabad High Court on Thursday expressed its displeasure over violation of COVID-19 protocol by citizens stating that efforts made by the State government will yield results only if public cooperates. .The remarks were made after the Court examined the affidavit filed by the State government detailing the steps taken by the State government to combat the pandemic."Efforts of the State government will get results only if the public cooperates," the Court said after taking note of the efforts made by the Uttar Pradesh government. .A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari and Justice Piyush Agarwal took note of the affidavit filed by the Uttar Pradesh government and adjourned the matter. "The affidavit has been filed today only. Thus counsel in the connected matter will give their arguments in the next hearing. After recording the efforts made by the State government, we are only adjourning the matter.".The Court said that apart from everything, the State has not divulged in respect of steps taken about upgrading healthcare centers across the state."However, we perceive that the State Government has not divulged in respect of steps taken by it to upgrade the Primary Health Centres and Community Health Centres by posting doctors and para medical staff as well as upgrading the infrastructure therein.".The Court took a dim view of reports that citizens are openly violating COVID-19 norms issued by government authorities."We have seen the recent news, which shows huge crowd at a hill station. Though it is not in the State of UP, people need to respond to the efforts of Central and State governments," Acting Chief Justice Bhandari remarked..On June 17, a Bench headed by former Chief Justice Sanjay Yadav had directed the State to submit its response regarding future planning on how it will handle the COVID-19 situation across Uttar Pradesh.Additional Advocate General Manish Goyal informed the Court on Thursday that an affidavit has been filed reflecting the steps taken by the government.."When Police take action, it is criticized on social media:" Allahabad High Court on people not wearing masks.The Court was informed that rapid testing facilities have been increased and are being regulated through 125 community testing labs in the public sector and 104 labs in the public sector. Further, 12 new labs have also been made functional, the Court said. The affidavit further stated that around 8 lakh samples were tested on a daily basis in the month of June, and around 72,000 surveillance teams comprising trained Anganwadi and Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers have been constituted.The State submitted that it has expanded treatment facilities and that 60,000 beds have been reserved for COVID-19 patients. Further, ventilator facility has also been provided in 75 districts.."The affidavit further reflects that 60,000 beds have been reserved and the facility of ventilator beds have been increased in some districts. On the previous day, more than 10 lakh doses [of the COVID-19 vaccine] were administrated in one day," the Court noted..Citing the affidavit, the Court noted that the sufficient number of ambulances have been procured. As per World Health Organisation (WHO) standards, 2,328 ambulances are required for the State of UP, whereas the affidavit says that 4,070 ambulances are currently operating within the State..While adjourning the matter, the Court recorded its satisfaction with regard to the efforts made by the State government to tackle the pandemic.