Avoid black coat, gown amidst COVID19 crisis: Orissa HC to lawyers

Cuttack: In view of the prevailing circumstances caused by the dreaded coronavirus, the Orissa High Court (HC) has asked lawyers not to wear black coat and gown as a precautionary measure.

The court advised them to wear plain white shirt/white salwar kameez/white saree with plain white neckband instead until further orders.

“In view of the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19, under prevailing circumstances, the learned advocates appearing before the High Court of Orissa through virtual court system, as a precautionary measure, need not to wear black coat and gown till the medical exigencies exists,” the HC order reads.

Earlier on May 13, the Supreme Court of India had given the same direction after considering the medical advice, as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of COVID-19 infection.

Hearing a PIL, Chief Justice SA  Bobde had stated, “Avoid black coats and gowns for the time being because it makes easier to catch the virus.”