Lorry drivers also subjected to tests: Govt

Additional Advocate General Narmatha Sampath made the submission before a division bench comprising Justice M Sathyanarayanan and Justice M Nirmal Kumar. However, the bench sought a detailed reply and posted the plea to May 7.

The bench was hearing through video conferencing a plea moved by the United Labour Federation seeking to direct the State government to frame a suitable action plan by putting in place adequate safety and preventive measures to ensure that the movement of goods into Tamil Nadu does not result in an increase of COVID-19 infections.

Following the extension of the lockdown, guidelines were issued exempting transport of essential and non-essential goods. But the Ministry of Home affairs did not give standard operating procedure, guidelines or safety protocols to be followed, the plea submitted.

“This relaxation, if not implemented with the required standard of care, will result in the spread of COVID-19 at an alarming rate,” the petitioner said, seeking stringent safeguards to ensure that the State does not enter community transmission stage.

The petitioner sought for applying standard safety measures without unduly holding up of trucks/lorry traffic, and also a protocol to ensure that lorries entering the State were disinfected.

Those involved in transportation should be mandated to submit medical certificate that they tested negative for COVID-19.