Corona Virus-Covid-19 Pandemic v. Government Of Andhra Pradesh

1. These I.As. have been filed, inter alia, alleging that sufficient Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) has not been made available to doctors, nurses and other medical staff working in Government and private hospitals treating the patients of Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic; that the Government has imposed Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1971, by the Government without providing such adequate facilities; and that the landlords are threatening the doctors and other staff to vacate the houses in which they are residing as they are treating the patients of Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19). However, appropriate directions regarding providing of PPE and also for providing adequate isolation centres to the doctors and other staff working in the Government and private hospitals, are sought for.

2. It is to be noted that this Court has already passed orders with regard to providing Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) to the doctors, nurses and other medical staff. It is to observe that the Government shall see that the said orders be implemented and do the needful.

3. So far as imposition of ESMA is concerned, it is suffice to observe that the authorities are not expected to impose the ESMA without providing Personal Protection Equipment to the doctors, nurses and other medical staff working in the hospitals treating the patients of Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19).

4. So far as the act of landlords threatening the doctors and other staff to vacate the premises in which they are residing is concerned, on submitting an application in this regard, the appropriate authority may take action in accordance with law against the landlords.

5. So far as providing adequate isolation centres, it is stated by Mr. C. Sumon, learned Government Pleader representing the learned Advocate General, that the Government has already secured number of rooms in hospitals, hotels, marriage halls etc. However, the doctors and other staff may be allowed to stay there also, if needed.

6. With the above observations, I.A. Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 5 of 2020 stand disposed of.