[Covid-19 spike] UP Government should consider door-to-door vaccination for people of all ages: Allahabad High Court

Uttar Pradesh government should consider chalking out a door-to-door vaccination programme for citizens of all ages in view of the surge in COVID-19 cases in the State, the Allahabad High Court suggested on Tuesday. .A Bench of Chief Justice Govind Mathur and Justice Siddhartha Varma, expressed its concern over the spike in Covid positive cases and urged the State government to open vaccination for every citizen rather than restricting the same to people above 45 years of age."We deem it appropriate to ask the State Government to check the viability of vaccination for one and all and not for just citizens above the age of 45 years. Government should check the viability of inoculating such students who are to appear in the Uttar Pradesh High School and Intermediate Examinations. In fact a door to door vaccination programme should be chalked out. The State Government shall also examine viability to have night curfew to check late evening and high social gatherings," the order said. .The Court further highlighted the fact that the government has taken necessary steps to meet the threat of the second wave of COVID-19, but it is noticed that the directions "have not been complied with by the public at large and that is an issue of concern."The court said that the general public should should also realise its responsibility towards the COVID-19 protocol..Accordingly, the Court issued the following directions to all the District Magistrates in the State. .(i) District Administration including Police Authorities are once again earnestly get into action and see that there is 100 per cent masking in every district of the State of Uttar Pradesh. The Director General of Police should on his own level chalk out a programme for this purpose. (ii) District Administration including Police Authorities should see that no crowding takes place in any place all over the State of U.P. If it finds that any particular place is likely to get crowded, then it should cordon off that area and see that people do not huddle. (iii) The Panchayat Raj Elections should also be conducted in such a manner that no congregation of people takes place. Be it nomination, be it canvassing or be it the actual voting, it should be seen that all COVID-19 protocols are observed..The matter will be heard next on April 8 through video conference. .[Read Order]