‘Breach will hasten 3rd wave’: Delhi HC takes cognisance of Covid-19 norm violation in markets

The Delhi High Court Friday took cognisance of the violation of Covid19 protocols in various markets in the national capital and observed that such breaches will only hasten the third wave of coronavirus which cannot be permitted at allThe high court said if this behaviour of flouting Covid19 norms continues we will be in a great trouble God help us if all that happensIt asked the Centre and Delhi government to take strict measures sensitise shopkeepers and hold meetings with markets and vendors associations in this regardA vacation bench of justices Navin Chawla and Asha Menon took note of certain photographs sent to one of the high court judges on WhatsApp by an AIIMS doctor showing scant regard for Covid19 protocols by street vendors in marketsWe have paid a huge price in the second wave We dont know if there is any household which has not suffered in the second wave closely or remotely the bench observed adding that we as a citizen of this city are worried when we see these imagesIt further said the memory of the second wave of Covid19 is still fresh with so many people having suffered personal lossSuch breach will only hasten the third wave which is likely to come and this cannot be permitted it addedTaking suo motu cognisance of the photographs the HC initiated a PIL directing the Centre the Delhi government and the Delhi Police to file status reportsObserving that people need deterrent but it should come from within the court fixed the next hearing on July 9 directing it be placed before the Chief JusticeThe notices were accepted by Central government standing counsel Anil Soni and Delhis additional standing counsel Gautam NarayanThey assured the court that strict measures are already being taken to ensure the protocol is maintained at markets and also followed by street vendorsThe court however said it was of the view that certainly more measures are required to be takenIt can be in the form of more interactions with market and vendors associations and more civil defence and police personnel being deployed at markets and hawkersrsquo places the bench saidAdditional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma said the concerns raised by the court will be conveyed to the authorities as we cannot afford a third wave just cannot have a third waveThe Delhi government has allowed resumption of almost all business activities curtailed after the lockdown was imposed during the second wave of Covid19As part of the phased unlock plan all markets are now allowed to remain open in Delhi between 10 AM to 8 PMThe high court said government officials bureaucrats must apply their minds to normalise the lives of Delhiites with compliance to all the protocols as we cannot have lockdown alwaysIt said the photographs are mainly of lsquothela walasrsquo vendors and the market associations should ensure those standing in the vicinity wear masks Even otherwise people cover their faces in summers to protect themselves from the heatwave and mask is not an extraordinary discomfort it addedThe bench said proper sanitisation is required in a stricter way and in the right earnest People cannot be stopped from doing their jobs since its about their livelihoods but they have to follow the protocols strictly because if they catch the infection they will take it home and spread furtherGod help us if all that happens the bench saidThe Delhi government counsel said there have been more shocking photographs of malls where people can be seen violating the coronavirus norms and it is not that only small vendors do not adhere to protocolThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever