[Coronavirus] Consider granting approval and registration of Private Laboratories for testing, provide safety kits to doctors: Bombay HC

The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has issued a number of directions with respect to measures to combat the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), including directions to ensure more testing, treatment and prevention of the rapidly spreading virus [Subhash Jainarayan Zanwar vs. Union of India]..Notably, a the Bench of Justices Sunil B Shukre and Justice Avinash G Gharote also took note of requests for approval and registration of private laboratories to test for the Coronavirus, to facilitate more testing in the State. It, therefore, ordered on March 23,."We direct the Union of India and the State of Maharashtra to consider grant of approval and registration to private laboratories across the State of Maharashtra which are already equipped with COVID-19 testing facility including Dhruv laboratory, Nagpur and grant approval to such of the private laboratories as are found to be fulfilling the applicable norms within a period of one week from the date of order."Bombay High Court.This apart, the other directions of the Court in its order dated March 23 include:The State government is to take necessary steps for creation and operation of VRDL facilities for testing of COVID-19 within two weeks, in places such as Yavatmal, Gadchiroli and Chandrapur, where confirmed cases of COVID-19 had been identified.The State to make necessary arrangements for setting up of the isolation wards at the Central Jails across the Vidarbha region, within a week.The State Government to ensure that Prevention and Protection Equipment (PPE) are provided at all places in sufficient numbers, for providing protection to the doctors, nursing staff and sanitation workers attending to COVID-19 cases, within a week.The Union of India, State of Maharashtra and local authorities to coordinate with NIV, Pune for procuring adequate number of additional testing kits.Union of India should take necessary steps for introducing duly approved Indian kits in the field so that more kits could be made available for testing purpose.State is to ensure that thermal screening of all the passengers arriving from domestic flights is carried out at Nagpur Airport until the situation improves..The Court had also directed the Government to verify the veracity of a newspaper report which stated that the IIT Delhi had developed a new COVID testing kit, which is considerably cheaper than the one available now. If the report is found to be true, the government has been directed to seek a feasibility report from National Institute of Virology, Pune within two weeks and then do the needful in the matter..Another issue that was looked into by the Court was transmission of the virus from the medical staff attending to corona virus patients, to their own family members. .In this regard, the Court suggested for the doctors and all staff members attending such patients to stay at the respective hospitals and not to return home for certain period of time. High Court also added, "if any direction in this regard is to be given, it would be for the concerned medical authority to do so and in that case also, residential facility would have to be created at the concerned hospital." .On the the point of Section 144, CrPC being imposed in the State, the Court opined that the same would not be enough to restrict the movement of individual persons on roads and confine the members of the community to their respective homes. The Bench added,."... the Police Commissioner and the District Magistrate would also have to consider if the order be issued under this very Section in a manner as to prohibit movement of even a single person on public roads and public places including in the vehicles on public roads and public places. We are of the view that if such an order is issued by these authorities, it would go a long way in preventing the spread of COVID-19.".In another order dated March 26, Justice Sunil B Shukre has also directed authorities running private medical colleges and hospitals across the State to provide safety gears, including personal protective equipment (PPE) or Hazmat suits, in adequate numbers to all doctors and health care workers within a weeks’ time. .The order, in this regard reads, ."...it is directed that all the concerned Authorities running private Medical Colleges and Hospitals to also provide personal protection or Hazmat kits in adequate numbers to all Doctors and health care workers discharging their respective duties at the private Medical Colleges and Hospitals as early as possible, preferably within a week’s time from the date of order."Bombay High Court.[Read the orders here]