Karnataka High Court calls for surprise visits by State, BBMP at residential areas and hotels to curb spread of COVID-19

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday emphasized the need for "surprise visits" by the State government and civic body Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) at residential complexes, hotels and other organisations in order to ensure that COVID-19 norms are being strictly followed..This direction was passed after the Court was apprised of several instances where residents of various apartment complexes got infected with COVID-19 after functions were held in such places..“Therefore, it is all the more necessary for the State government and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to ensure that surprise visits are undertaken to ensure that COVID-19 directions are followed," said a Division Bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Aravind Kumar..This apart, the Court was informed of the modified COVID-19 guidelines issued by the State on March 4, as per which gatherings of 500 people were allowed in open spaces and 200 people were allowed in halls with closed areas..Intervening applicant, Advocate Dalwai Venkatesh submitted that these ‘open spaces’ and ‘halls with closed areas’ have not been defined by the government. This would essentially encourage large gatherings to take place, paving way for spread of the virus, he said..The Court concurred with this submission, opining,“Prima facie, the applicant is right when he submitted that the size of the these ‘open spaces’ and ‘halls with closed areas’ have not been defined.”.Taking issue with this, the Court urged the State to "step in immediately" and modify the said order dated April 4..The Bench also directed the State and BBMP to place on record the steps taken to implement its orders dated March 23 and April 2, the violation of which would be proceeded against as per the provisions of Sections 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 4, 5 and 10 of the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act, 2020. .Advocate NP Amruthesh had informed the Court that after a representation was made by persons in the film industry, the order dated April 2 has been relaxed and 100 per cent occupancy at theatres is allowed till today. The Court was further informed that that the order regarding gyms has been modified to the extent that they can operate with 50 per cent occupancy..The matter will be next heard on April 16..The Court was hearing a suo motu case registered after it received two letters highlighting the various difficulties faced by COVID-19 positive patients in the State..Last week, the Court had urged that the COVID-19 vaccination must reach people living in slum areas as well as thickly populated regions as they are more vulnerable to the virus..COVID-19 vaccination must reach slums, congested areas: Karnataka High Court urges State to adopt special measures