HC QUESTIONS GUJ GOVT OVER COVID TESTING IN STATE

AHMEDABAD : The Gujarat High Court has questioned the state government’s decision to not allow private labs to conduct Covid-19 tests, saying whether this is meant to “artificially control” the data of number of cases in the state. It has directed the state to procure maximum testing kits to enable both private and government hospitals to carry out tests at government rates. A division bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and I J Vora in its order on Friday also said the argument that “more number of tests will lead to 70 per cent of the population testing positive for coronavirus, thereby leading to fear psychosis,” should not be a ground to refuse or restrict the testing. It directed the state to dispel panic among the public by way of publicity, and ensure home isolation is adhered to.