The Supreme Court on November 4 asked the Central government to either ban or regulate the use of disinfection tunnels, spraying chemical or organic disinfectants on humans as well as the exposure of humans to artificial ultraviolet rays.
A three-judge bench of the top court, headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan observed that the pandemic has “threatened the health of entire citizenry”.
The Centre was asked to comply with the orders within a month period.
The judgment came in response to a petition by Gursimran Singh Narula that sought the apex court's direction on the ban of spraying all kinds of disinfectants on humans to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
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“We are of the view that for spraying disinfectant on human body, fumigation or use of UV rays against the human body, there has to be regulatory regime when respondent No. 1 (Centre) itself is of the view that such use is not recommended,” the bench stated in its verdict.
"(The Centre) may consider and issue necessary directions in exercise of powers vested in it under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, regarding ban/regulation on the usage of disinfection tunnels involving spraying or fumigation of chemical/organic disinfectants for the human beings,” it added.
The government had earlier said that disinfectants were indeed harmful to humans and often left huge physical and psychological scars.
“In event use of disinfectant on the human body is to cause adverse effect on the health of the people, there has to be immediate remedial action and (the government) cannot stop only by saying that such use is not recommended,” the Supreme Court observed.