Eateries, hotels, restaurants to function only if they give specific undertakings: Allahabad HC issues guidelines in view of COVID-19

In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Allahabad High Court has asked the State Government to control the functioning of the eateries across the State, stating that only those eateries in hotels, restaurants and small outlets who gave a specific undertakings should be allowed to function..Noting that the requirement for functioning with the undertaking would not be a permanent feature but would remain operational for a period of six weeks from the date of the order, the following guidelines have been issued,If a restaurant permits people to have food inside its premises then it should see that the social distancing is maintained. No eatery shall allow its customer to hang around its premises and have food openly. Within five yards of every eatery, no customer/ individual should be seen without a mask. No person near the eatery should be allowed to throw any used plate, spoon or glass. If any customer/individual is seen without a mask or having food within five yards of the eatery then definitely suitable action would follow. No roadside eateries and open air restaurants shall sell potable water. As far as possible any eatery having a turn over of more than Rs.5,000/- per day should have CCTV cameras installed. All eateries would make arrangements for selling their food articles in tightly packed/ sealed boxes which definitely would not be openable with ease after the customer leaves the eateries and the customer should thereafter open only at his residence. In case a customer misbehaves and does not listen to the owner, the owner shall be free to report the matter to the police, who shall be duty bound to take action..Any violation of these undertakings would lead to a action against the owners of the said eateries by the police administration..A Bench of Justices Siddhartha Varma and Ajit Kumar appreciated the action of the State Government and the Police for taking prompt action against such eateries/ restaurants where people were violating the guidelines issued by the Government of India and Uttar Pradesh Epidemic Disease COVID-19 Regulations, 2020. .It added,."We appreciate the steps taken by the district and police administration of various districts in the State to enforce COVID-19 guidelines but we do feel that they need to remain constantly vigilant."Allahabad High Court.Taking cognizance of the Nagar Nigam, Prayagraj notification in daily newspapers with regard to certain guidelines that no employee would enter their premises without masks, the Court added,"They would also add in the notification that 'No mask no entry'. Even outsiders would not be allowed to enter if they are not properly masked. Further notifications may be published to this effect in various daily newspapers in all the districts throughout the State of U.P. at the instance of all other Government departments.".The State Government has also been directed to issue guidelines with regard to the manufacturing of masks and sanitizers, which have to be framed as per the instructions issued by Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR). .The matter will be next heard on October 7, 2020 at 2:00 P.M..Read the order here: