COVID-19: Plea in Delhi HC seeks special protection of senior citizens, court issues notice

Delhi High Court has issued notice in plea seeking special protection of senior citizens during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Division Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan has issued notice to both the Centre as well as the Delhi Government, legal news website LiveLaw.in has reported.

Filed by one Gaurav Gambhir, the petition wants the court to issue directions to the Central Government, as well as the State Government, to provide effective arrangements for banking, health, groceries and other basic facilities to senior citizens at their doorsteps and to allot special hospitals/clinics for their medical emergencies.

While asking for comprehensive guidelines for the protection of the senior citizens who are extremely vulnerable to COVID19, the petitioner demands test the senior citizens at an early stage, and ensure helplines and mobile applications to cater to their emergency assistance.

Petitioner has highlighted medical evidence which suggests that senior citizens are more prone to fatality due to COVID19 because of their low immunity levels and comorbidity.

Emphasising the vulnerability of the senior citizens and the discomfort caused to them by the nationwide lockdown, the petition states that: 'Many of them are living alone while their children settled abroad with no one to help them in this unprecedented difficult situation. Many have difficulty in walking and preparing food for themselves. In some cases their children who are living in the same city are not able to help their old parents due to the lockdown.'

One of the ways of protecting the senior citizens with comorbidity, the petitioner argues, is to completely isolate them and provide them with basic needs and amenities at their doorstep.