Court suggests two-day lockdown ahead of counting day with prior notice to public

CHENNAI: In a bid to ensure that the counting day on May 02 does not become another reason for the surge of COVID-19 across the State, the Madras High Court on Monday suggested the government to impose a lockdown-like measure on May 1 and May 2 with adequate notice to the public so that they are prepared.

Passing orders on a suo motu plea on the State’s preparedness amid the raging second wave, the first bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar

Ramamoorthy said, “The State may consider imposing lockdown on May 1 which is a holiday and May 2, a Sunday, and only allow movement of vehicles and persons needed for counting votes, including emergency vehicles.”

“With whatever time is left, every measure should be taken. Let people survive first, then their democratic rights can come. We hope we made it clear to the Election Commission of India and we are making it clear to the State,” the bench said.

It also held that the government should well in advance, say by April 28, announce new restrictions so that ordinary citizens may have sufficient notice to make their weekend purchase by Friday and abide by the restrictions as was evident on April 25.

However, noting that as of now, the situation does not appear to be completely out of control though there are some horror stories available in both the media and maybe anecdotal on social media, the Chief Justice said, “Continued vigil must be maintained and the matter must be dealt with appropriate on the spot decision which is critical to control the spread.”

Fish, meat stalls to remain closed on Saturdays too

To keep a check on the crowd before full lockdown on Sundays, the government issued a Government Order (GO) to close all meat and fish stall on Saturdays. “Fish markets, fish stalls, chicken stalls and other meat stalls shall remain closed on Saturdays and action would be taken against the violators,” said Chief Secretary Rajeev Ranjan.

The government had already enforced a complete lockdown without any relaxations on Sundays and a night curfew between 10 pm and 4 am on weekdays that began from April 20.