SHILLONG, JUN 23: The Meghalaya High Court has directed all shops, business establishments and commercial vehicles to display signs “vaccinated” or “not vaccinated” even as warned of stern action against any person or organization involved in spreading misinformation against COVID-19 vaccination.
Hearing a suo motu PIL on the issue, the division bench comprises of Chief Justice Biswanath Somadder and Justice HS Thangkhiew said whether vaccination can at all be made mandatory and whether such mandatory action can adversely affect the right of a citizen to earn his/her livelihood, is an issue which requires consideration.
“At the outset, it must be stated clearly and unequivocally that vaccination is need of the hour – nay, an absolute necessity – in order to overcome this global pandemic which is engulfing our world,” it said.
The PIL was taken up following the various orders of the Deputy Commissioners, which have made it mandatory for shopkeepers, vendors, local taxi drivers and others to get themselves vaccinated before they can resume their businesses.
The bench has also decided to issue directions so that the public at large are provided with an option of making an informed choice.
It said all shops, establishments, local taxis, auto-rickshaws, maxi cabs and buses should display prominently at a conspicuous place, a sign, “vaccinated”, in the event all employees and staff of the concerned shop or establishment are vaccinated.
Similarly, in the case of local taxis, auto-rickshaws, maxi cabs and buses where the concerned driver or conductor or helper(s) are vaccinated.
All shops, establishments, local taxis, auto-rickshaws, maxi cabs and buses should display prominently at a conspicuous place, a sign, “Not Vaccinated”, in the event all the employees and staff of the concerned shop or establishment are not vaccinated.
Similarly, in the case of local taxis, auto-rickshaws, maxi cabs and buses where the concerned driver or conductor or helper(s) are not vaccinated.
The bench said the actual dimension of the signs, “vaccinted” or “not vaccinated” and the conspicuous place where such sign is required to be affixed/displayed shall be decided by the concerned authority of the State.
“In the event, any shops/establishments/local taxis/autorickshaws/maxi cabs and buses flouts the above directions, the concerned authority of the State shall immediately direct its closure/stoppage of plying,” it said.
So far as vaccine hesitation issue is concerned, the bench said the same is required to be dealt with by the State Government in the manner specified in its new guidelines issued yesterday by the Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Meghalaya, read with the observations made by us hereinbefore.
“This Court shall monitor this issue closely so that the State Government is able to overcome the vaccine hesitation problem at the earliest and all eligible persons in the State of Meghalaya are vaccinated well within the timeframe as may be specified by the State,” it said.
Meanwhile, the bench also directed the concerned authority of the state to take action against any attempt made by any person/organisation to spread misinformation regarding the efficacy of vaccination amongst the people of this State in accordance with law.
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