Cannot afford to take risk: Maha govt to HC over prohibiting unvaccinated from using public transport

Mumbai, Dec 22: The Maharashtra government told the Bombay High Court that allowing unvaccinated people on public transport will invite explosive transmission of the coronavirus and its subsequent variants. Thus defending its decision to prohibit unvaccinated people from using public transport.

"The government of Maharashtra, as parens patriae (guardian of the state) cannot afford to take that risk," it said an affidavit submitted in the HC. The decision to prohibit people, who were yet to receive both doses of COVID-19 vaccine, from using public transport in the state had been taken to ensure those unvaccinated do not endanger the lives of others, it said.

"Allowing unvaccinated persons to mix with other people by using public transport will only endanger the lives of others, and will invite explosive transmission of the coronavirus and its subsequent variants," the government said in the affidavit filed through its chief secretary.

Defending its stand, the Maharashtra government told a bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice MS Karnik that such a decision was "reasonable", and not discriminatory or in breach of a citizen's fundamental rights.

The court, responding to two public interest litigations which claimed the state's circular prohibiting unvaccinated people from travelling in local trains in Mumbai was without logic and in breach of such citizens' right to equality, directed the Maharashtra government to file an affidavit explaining the rationale behind such prohibition.

On Wednesday, the state informed the court that not just the use of local trains, but from all modes of public transport in the state.

The decision had been taken after consultation with experts and members of the state's special task force for tackling COVID-19, it said.

The state government submitted that as on December 20 this year, a total of 54 people in the state had been infected with the Omicron variant of the virus.

It further said that as per data available till December 20, there were 544 new cases of COVID19 infections, and four deaths due to the viral infection.

"Unfortunately, the problem is not over yet. There is likelihood of a third wave and also the likelihood of spread of the new variant, Omicron," the affidavit said. "The government of Maharashtra, therefore, cannot take any risk and would like to err on the safer side on the issue of public health," it added.

The state also submitted data on the devastating second wave of COVID-19 that hit people earlier this year, and how state authorities struggled to ensure adequate medical aid, hospital beds and oxygen supply for citizens. The government said it did not want a repeat of such dire situation.

There was adequate research to prove that those who had taken both the doses of vaccine were less likely to contract severe COVID-19 or to require prolonged hospitalisation, it said.

It urged the HC to dismiss the PILs, saying such a prohibition on the unvaccinated people was reasonable. The state government further said the petitioners themselves had received both the doses of vaccine. While taking the vaccine is not mandatory for citizens in the country, adequate vaccine doses and slots are now available across the state for those interested in taking the vaccine, the state said.

The matter will come up for hearing on January 3, 2022.