New Delhi: Supreme Court on Wednesday decided to to do away with the trademark long-black gowns for Advocates in order to avert the possible spread of novel Coronavirus.

"It is notified for the information of all concerned that considering the medical advice, as a precautionary measure to contain spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection under the prevailing conditions, the competent authority has been pleased to direct that the advocates may wear plain white-shirt/white-salwar-kameez/white saree, with a plain-white neck band' during the hearings before the Supreme Court of India through Virtual Court System till medical exigencies exist or until further orders," official notice issued by apex court Secretary General Sanjeev S Kalgaonkar read.

The development came just few hours after Chief Justice of India SA Bobde suggested putting away jackets and long gowns for judges and lawyers during hearings via video conferencing to prevent spread of coronavirus.

News agency IANS reported that the decision was taken after the bench, comprising Justices Indu Malhotra and Hrishikesh Roy, put forward their comments on the matter while hearing a petition that sought directions for the central government to place a total ban on WhatsApp payment services.

The Chief Justice observed that instructions may be issued soon for judges and lawyers not to wear gowns and jackets, as "it makes it easier to catch virus". Justice Bobde told senior advocate Kapil Sibal, while hearing a matter through video conferencing that in his view, judges and lawyers should not wear a jacket and gown for the time being, as it "makes it easier to catch virus".

This development has come a day after the apex court said that judges would hear matters through video conferencing from the courtrooms in the court complex. Earlier, the judges also took up matters from their residences.

(With inputs from IANS News Agency)