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Maharashtra Govt To Soon Decide On Curbing COVID-19 Restrictions

Taking a note of the Supreme Court's (SC) order, in view of the matter, the HC said that compulsory vaccination which has been made a condition for availing public transport services by the state government may not be dealt with by this court.

Maharashtra Govt To Soon Decide On Curbing COVID-19 Restrictions
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The state executive committee will take a fresh decision on the Centre’s directive to consider discontinuing COVID-19 restrictions, the Maharashtra government told the Bombay High Court (HC) on Wednesday, March 23.

This development comes soon after the Centre, earlier in the day, announced to relax the COVID-19 curbs from March 31. However, the order mentioned to compulsory follow the face mask protocol as pandemic is not over yet.

Moreover, it comes at a time when there is continuous dip in coronavirus cases.

Urging for some time, senior advocate for the state, S U Kamdar said that the state executive committee will meet once again to consider the matter and take a fresh decision.

Senior advocate S U Kamdar, for the state, He had submitted a letter of the home secretary advising all states and union territories to consider appropriately discontinuing issue of orders and guidelines under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 for COVID containment measures in view of the significantly improving situation on March 22.

However, the letter stated that the health ministry’s advisories on containment measures, including use of face masks and hand hygiene, will continue.

According to reports, these statements were made while the bench, led by Chief Justice Dipankar Datta, was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the state’s March 1 decision to restrict travel on public transport, including local trains, only to those who are fully vaccinated.

Taking a note of the Supreme Court's (SC) order, in view of the matter, the HC said that compulsory vaccination which has been made a condition for availing public transport services by the state government may not be dealt with by this court so long as the judgment is not pronounced by the SC.

Additionally, the court said that it will consider the petitioner’s other prayer to direct return of fines imposed on citizens for not adhering to COVID-appropriate behaviour, including wearing of face masks in public in the next hearing.

The HC then adjourned the hearing on the plea till April 5.

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