Coronavirus pandemic: Top court expresses satisfaction over Centre's way of handling crisis

Bengaluru: The Supreme Court on Monday expressed satisfaction over the "very active steps" taken by the central government to deal with coronavirus pandemic and said even critics have appreciated the efforts.

"We are satisfied that the government has become very active to deal with the present situation and even the critics are saying that they (government) are doing a good job. This is not politics but facts," a bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde said.

The remarks by the bench, also comprising justices L N Rao and Surya Kant, came while hearing a batch of pleas which have sought directions to the Centre and other concerned authorities to take more precautionary measures, including increasing the number of labs for testing of suspected Covid-19 cases.

The apex court asked the petitioners to submit a representation to the government in this regard.

One of the petitions has sought a direction to the authorities to exponentially increase the number of quarantine or isolation centres to deal with the situation.

Meanwhile, the Central government has asked state governments to implement guidelines on a war footing.  

As many as 80 districts in the country have been declared to be put under lockdown even as the number of positive cases in the country has exceeded 800. The number of deaths has reached 9. 

The lockdown will be in place till March 31. All transport activities have been suspended. 

While the entire globe goes through a lot of crisis owing to the spread of coronavirus, Indian citizens are looking forward to Nirmala Sitharaman, finance minister to announce some kind of financial package.  

At this point in time, the number of cases in Maharashtra is 89. 

The nation has come to a grinding halt with citizens being advised to stay indoors and venture out as little as possible. 
 

Read Exclusive COVID-19 Coronavirus News updates, at MyNation.