Social distancing given up in all gatherings everywhere: SC

New Delhi, Dec 3 : The Supreme Court on Thursday said there are been large public gatherings — political, religious, ceremonial — where the social distancing has been given a go-bye and there is no appropriate mechanism to check such social gatherings.
A bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan and comprising Justices R. Subhash Reddy and M.R. Shah said: “It has been pointed out that guidelines with regard to wearing of masks and keeping social distancing are not being followed in almost all of the states.” Citing the swelling crowds in vegetable markets, where people do not maintain six feet social distancing, the bench noted that state governments affidavits showing positive things cannot make it happy, and instead the court is concerned that how could ground situation can be improved.
It said that even though there are stringent regulations including imposing of fine on non-wearing of masks, yet desired results have not been achieved.
The bench said Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and other counsel appearing for different states have requested time to give appropriate suggestions in the above regard so that appropriate directions may be issued by this court to implement the guidelines and to ensure the compliance.
These suggestions are supposed to be submitted by December 7.