'Devastation By Second Wave Still In Memory': Delhi HC Issues Notice Over Overcrowding In Markets

The Delhi High Court on Friday took suo motu cognizance about concerns regarding massive overcrowding in markets despite the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

People shop at a crowded market after the authorities eased a lockdown imposed as a preventive measure against the Covid-19 coronavirus, in New Delhi on June 16, 2021. (Image: Prakash SINGH / AFP)

New Delhi: As the national capital has reopened after a lockdown of more than a month, a huge rush is being witnessed in shops and markets. People were seen coming out of their houses in large numbers and most of them flouted the Covid guidelines. The Delhi High Court Friday took cognisance of the violation of COVID-19 protocols in various markets in the national capital and observed that such breaches will only hasten the third wave which cannot be permitted at all.

The high court asked the Centre and Delhi government to take strict measures, sensitise shopkeepers and hold meetings with markets and vendors associations in this regard.

A vacation bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Asha Menon took note of certain photographs sent to one of the judges of the high court by an AIIMS doctor showing scant regard for COVID-19 protocols by street vendors in markets.

"We have paid a huge price in the second wave. We don't know if there is any household which has not suffered in the second wave, closely or remotely," the bench observed.

As the number of Covid-19 cases saw a decline, the Delhi government allowed shops, malls, and restaurants to reopen fr Monday. It also allowed weekly markets to open but only 50 per cent of vendors and only one market in each municipal zone.

 Delhi govt preparing for possible third Covid wave on war-footing: Kejriwal

Earlier this week the Delhi Chief Minister cautioned that the chances of a third Covid wave were quite real, and asserted his government was preparing on a "war-footing" to combat it.

He inaugurated 22 new PSA oxygen plants at nine hospitals across Delhi.

He said these plants have a total production capacity of 17.3 MT, and they will strengthen the preparations to fight Covid. As many as 17 more oxygen plants will be started by July, he said.

The Delhi government is also procuring oxygen tankers to aid the fight against a third wave, he said, adding that the previous wave, which in on the wane, was "very dangerous".

The capital on Thursday reported 158 new Covid cases and 10 deaths. The positivity rate dropped to 0.20 per cent.