Khushi
A Division Bench of Telangana High Court comprising Chief Justice Hima Kohli and Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy issued directions to the State Government, the Police Department, the Public Health and Family Welfare Department in order to control the surge in Covid-19 cases.
“This is not a time to relax for anyone in the State. It is a time to heighten the testing and see the reality,” the Chief Justice remarked.
Dr. G Srinivasa Rao, Director of Public Health and Family Welfare Department, attempted to explain the decline by claiming that people had stopped showing up for testing.
The Court rejected its submission and observed that even if it is assumed that no one is approaching, authorities should conduct sample testing in public places, micro-containment zones, etc.
The Court also directed that the turn-around time for the RT-PCR test be kept to a minimum of 24 hours.
The Advocate General informed the Bench about oxygen shortage and non-cooperation by Tamil Nadu in procurement of oxygen tankers.
The Court ordered, “Centre is directed to ensure that if 430MT Oxygen has been allocated to this State out of which a particular quantity is supposed to be supplied from a neighbouring State and the same is not being supplied, then immediate measure be taken to make good the deficiency by allocating more from any other state at the earliest.”
The Centre’s ASG, Surya Karan Reddy Thota, assured the Court that the necessary steps would be taken.
During the hearing, Advocate Mir Masood Khan drew the Court’s attention to the private hospitals that were charging exorbitant fees for oxygen and drugs required for Covid-19 treatment.
“State must fix a particular rate for medicines, Oxygen supply and other essentials like CT scan and blood testing that are required for Covid-19. Secretary, Health and Family Welfare is directed to lay down guidelines regarding the maximum amount that can be charged uniformly by private hospitals for such critical facilities,” the Court ordered.
In order to cap the number of people allowed in gathering, the Division Bench directed the constitution of Local Committees comprising Revenue, Municipal and Police authorities to conduct regular and surprise inspections.
The Court also directed the DGP to set up ‘Help Centres’ outside hospitals, with a prominent sign, where the public could seek help of any kind.
It was further added that all information including telephone numbers of concerned authorities shall be kept available for assistance.
“We come across heartrending realities of both parents dying and children being left out, not knowing where to go. Deploy more officers outside hospitals where there is much more need of help and assistance of varied kinds,” Chief Justice Kohli observed.
The Court requested that, in addition to reviewing the need for night curfew, which is set to expire on May 8th, the State Government consider imposing additional restrictive measures, such as extending night curfew hours or imposing weekend lockdown, in order to flatten the curve of Covid-19 infection.
The Court suggested to the State Government to temporarily seize the vehicles of those not wearing masks for preventing inappropriate masking.
The Court also ordered further directions for real time updates on bed availability and dignified disposal of Covid dead bodies.
The matter has been further listed for May 13th.