COVID-19: HC bans all kinds of Hookahs in Restaurants in this State [Read Order]

The Allahabad high court has directed the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary (CS) not to permit bars, restaurants and cafes to serve ‘hookah’ till further orders of this court with immediate effect in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

"Infection can be transmitted through hookah by waterpipe smoking," the Court said while stressing that serving of Hookahs at public places may amplify the already worsening Coivd crisis in the state.

Treating a letter petition as PIL, a division bench comprising of Justice Shashi Kant Gupta and Justice Shamim Ahmed also directed the chief secretary to file his response and a compliance report by the next date of hearing through his personal affidavit. The court directed to list this matter on September 30 for the next hearing.

Pointing towards the threat of spread of Covid-19, the court observed, “It cannot be denied that coronavirus cases are increasing day by day and in case public places such as restaurants and cafes are not restricted from serving hookah with immediate effect, there might be chances of vast community spread of corona-virus cases in Uttar Pradesh.”

“The pandemic is spreading like wildfire despite harsh lockdowns and is threatening the existence of human life. The situation is very grim. We are standing in a forest of darkness and do not know what tomorrow holds,” the court added.

The court directed the registrar general of the high court to send a copy of this order forthwith to the UP chief secretary and all the district magistrates in the state for necessary compliance.

The Court further observed that prima facie smoking is an independent risk factor not only for transmission but also COVID-19 severity.

"Hookah smoke contains several hazardous chemicals in addition to tobacco that may injure the respiratory lining, exposing the smoker to viral infections, tuberculosis and other infectious diseases and the coronavirus is no exception.," the Court said.

The order has been passed by Justice Shashi Kant Gupta and Justice Shamim Ahmed on 27-08-2020.

Read Order Here:

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