Coronavirus: Madras high court seeks report on preventive measures taken in TN

CHENNAI: The Madras high court on Tuesday directed the Tamil Nadu government to file a detailed report on the steps taken to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection in the state.
The first bench of Chief Justice A P Sahi and Justice Subramonium Prasad passed the order while hearing a plea moved by advocate A P Suryaprakasam seeking to constitute an expert committee headed by the chief secretary and comprising secretaries of health, transport and civil supplies to take appropriate steps to prevent spreading of coronavirus infection.
"Let an appropriate affidavit be filed informing the court as to what steps have been taken for implementing the plan for taking preventive steps against the spread of viral diseases, including dengue," the bench said.
Originally Suryaprakasam wanted the court to direct the state government to appoint an expert committee of health and other experts in the field of public safety and communicable diseases to ascertain the efficacy/adequacy of the measures taken by the authorities in tackling dengue menace in Tamil Nadu.
When the plea came up for hearing on Tuesday, the petitioner filed an additional affidavit and submitted that though fortunately coronavirus infection had not been detected in Tamil Nadu, appropriate preventive measures and awareness should be created among the public.
Preventive measures should be immediately taken particularly for children who have less immunity to such viruses. The government should rope in experts and NGOs to spread awareness among public, he added.
Recording the submissions, the court posted the plea to February 24 for the authorities to file the report.