Posters outside homes of COVID-19 patients not part of guidelines, Govt tells Supreme Court

Dec. 4: The Centre informed the Supreme Court on Thursday that its guidelines do not contain any instructions regarding affixing posters outside the homes of COVID-19 patients. The States are pursing the practice to prevent the spread of the virus. The Supreme Court observed that such posters are stigmatising the Covid-19 patients under home isolation. The apex court said that such notices treated the patients ‘untouchable’ though the ground reality is ‘something different’.

After being rebuked by the Supreme Court, the central government has written to all states and Union territories to stop the practice. In a letter dated November 19, addressed to additional and principal home secretaries of states and UTs, the government has maintained that Union health ministry guidelines never contemplated pasting of such posters or other signage outside residences of those who tested positive for Covid-19. The Centre has now filed its affidavit in the matter, referring to the letter sent to states and UTs on November 19.