[COVID-19] We must do everything we can to prevent the spread of the Delta Plus variant in the State: Uttarakhand High Court

The Uttarakhand High Court today directed the State government to review its decision to relax the COVID-19 lockdown in the State on weekends (Sachdanand Dabral v. Union of India)..A Division Bench of the Chief Justice RS Chauhan and Justice Alok Kumar Verma expressed concern regarding the large influx of tourists into the State on the two preceding weekends, in the context of the spread of the Delta Plus variant of COVID-19..The observations were made during the hearing of a batch of PILs related to various aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic..Advocate Vinay Bhatt made submissions with respect to the looming threat of the third wave. It was brought to the Court’s notice that most of the tourists entering the State are doing so without proper registration or RT-PCR tests..Advocate Abhijay Negi raised issues regarding the State’s poorly equipped healthcare system that could lead to a similar chaotic situation should the spread of COVID-19 increase.He also raised the issue of underpaid intern doctors in the State. It was submitted a stipend of Rs. 7,500 was significantly lower than what was being paid in other states such as Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh..Advocate Snigdha Tiwari raised the concern of inoculation of those who are physically challenged and the elderly. It was suggested that such vulnerable groups may either be vaccinated at home or close to their residences to protect them from the onslaught of the third wave..After hearing submissions from all the petitioners at length, the Court pointed out media reports to note that Nainital received 25,000 tourists who were found to not be following COVID-19 appropriate protocol such as masking, sanitising and social distancing..The Court further observed that if media reports are to be believed, many of the negative RT-PCR reports appear to be fake..The Bench also remarked that the status of vaccination is rather dismal, considering India has inoculated only 27% of its population..With these considerations the Court passed the following directions:i. The State government shall review its decision to relax the lockdown, for tourists may bring the Delta Plus variant into the State.ii. Amit Negi, Secretary for Health shall inform the Court of the number of samples sent to NCDC and their reports. Further, the steps taken by authorities in districts where a resident is found to be suffering from the Delta Plus variant.iii. Secretary for Health shall inform the Court of data regarding availability of doctors and MRI machines in government hospitals.iv. Secretary for Health shall inform the Court regarding availability of paediatric beds, wards etc. in government and private hospitals across the State.v. Secretary for Health shall inform the Court regarding vaccination data in the State.vi. Secretary for Health shall consider and implement a scheme to vaccinate disabled and elderly people.vii. Secretary for Health shall consider increasing the stipend being paid to intern doctors.viii. Chief Secretary was directed to inform the Court regarding any decision taken by the State government about relaxation of the lockdown during the weekends..The Court has directed the reports to be filed by July 26..Recently, the High Court had ordered a stay on the State cabinet decision of June 25 to allow local pilgrims to participate in the Char Dham Yatra..Justifying its decision, the Court had held,“As pointed out by the scientific community, the victims of the third wave will be children. The loss of a child is not painful only to parents but the nation at large. In case the Delta Plus variant is permitted to play havoc with the lives of our children, the nation is bound to lose part of its next generation. Such an apocalypse would adversely affect the growth of the country.”.This order was later challenged before the Supreme Court, with the State government contending that the High Court did not appreciate the fact that livelihood of a significant portion of the population living around Char Dham sites depends upon the Yatra..[BREAKING] Villagers earn livelihood only during Char Dham Yatra: Uttarakhand Govt moves Supreme Court challenging High Court stay on Yatra