The entire proceedings in the matter were conducted through video conferencing and video calls.

The division bench directed Department of Health and Medical Education to make available adequate equipment for the use of health care personnel and all other personnel involved in any aspect of COVID-19 issue.

The court also directed the department to file a report on procurement of more equipment as also creation of isolation wards, sample collection, processing and screening areas as per established protocols keeping in view anticipated future needs.

Secretary, Health and Medical Education, was directed to putout a protocol, so that pregnant women are informed as to how they have to proceed for seeking medical assistance and vaccination in the present times.

On being apprised by one of the advocates that there is deficiency in the availability of testing kits and ventilators in Srinagar aswell as the information that an offer of supply of six ventilators made by a NGO to GMC, Srinagar was refused by the authorities, the bench directed Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department to file a report in the matter and to ascertain the circumstances in which the offer of the NGO was refused.

A report pertaining to release of prisoners in the wake of outbreak of coronavirus was also reviewed by the court.

Director General Prisons apprised the bench that as on April7, 22 PSA detenues, 32 Under trials, 9 Under trail prisoners falling under Section 107, 109, 151 CrPC have been released and sanction for parole has beengranted to 19 prisoners and two prisoners have already been released.

On the issue of impact of pollen from poplar trees and fluffgenerated from these trees effecting respiratory disease or causing spread of COVID-19 infection, Division Bench after perusing certain media reports broughtto its notice observed that there is necessity of revisiting the desirabilityof felling of female poplar tress before these trees are cut.

The bench directed Chief Secretary of UT of Jiamp;K toconstitute a committee within 4 days to examine all aspects relating to thematter, including the impact of the pollen and fluff from the poplar tress, thedesirability of feeling poplar trees and related issues.

On the issue of impending 'Darbar move' and to takeconsidered opinion as to whether any direction with respect to its postponementtill COVID-19 infection is brought under full control can be passed or not, thebench directed Secretary GAD, Secretary Finance Department, DGP, SecretaryEstate Department, Secretary Transport Department, IGP (Traffic), ADG(Security), and Registrar General High Court of J&K to file separatereports.

To ensure e-Connectivity of courts and to make available allthe e-facilities to all the courts of UTs of Jammu iamp; Kashmir and Ladakh,BSNL and NIC were directed by the court to work in tandem and to file a jointaction taken report in the court.