Relax Travel Restrictions For Fully Vaccinated People, Permit Them To Travel In Local Trains: PIL Before Bombay High Court

The petition has been filed by Mohan Bhide, a qualified chartered accountant through advocates Neelaja Kirpekar and Shekhar Bhagat and it goes on to seek directions to the Maharashtra Government to permit travel once 15 days from the last day of COVID vaccine administration has lapsed.

The Plea further argues and prays that fully vaccinated people should be allowed to lead their normal life including but not limited to conducting their regular business by fulfilling the COVID-19 related appropriate behavior.

Significantly, the plea submits that since a large population has already been fully vaccinated and that, approximately 30% of the total population of the State of Maharashtra has been vaccinated with at least 1 dose of vaccine, it would be safe for fully vaccinated citizens who have completed 15 days after the second dose of vaccine to begin the normal life including traveling by public transport such as local trains and conducting normal business by keeping shops and offices open for the full duration as per the rules that were applicable prior to the pandemic of COVID 19 lockdown.

Further, it also stresses that if the vaccinated population is allowed to carry out their regular business and professional activities for the full duration by utilizing the modes of public transport, then, inter alia, the population with full vaccination will be able to earn their livelihood and the same shall aid in faster recovery of the economy.

"As more citizens would be interested in vaccination, it will act as a catalyst in achieving the goal of getting the full population vaccinated and it will drive the economic growth since more population will become fully vaccinated and will start working… (the) relaxation if granted will motivate the citizens to take the vaccine and ultimately it will reduce the risk of the third wave," the plea submits.