Consider imposing 15-day lockdown like last year, says Bombay HC – Times of India

MUMBAI: Consider imposing for at least 15 days a “lockdown like last year” to curb the spread of Covid-19, the Bombay high court told the state government on Thursday.
“We are not issuing a mandamus (direction). Do you think that the (present) restrictions are working? That only people with urgent business are on the road? At least for 15 days, if people stay indoors, we may expect better results,” said a bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Girish Kulkarni. They asked advocate general Ashutosh Kumbhakoni to “please advise” the government.
The court heard three public interest litigation on shortages of Remdesivir, beds and oxygen for Covid-19 patients. Citing the death of music composer Shravan Rathod due to Covid-19, advocate Rajesh Inamdar said there must be detailed tracing of those returning from the Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
The judges said those entering Maharashtra from other states must have negative Covid test reports. Inamdar said it is not strictly followed.
The CJ said all the judges who recently went to Goa for a conclave got themselves tested at Dabolim airport. “It is up to an individual as to what extent he cares for his fellowmen.. Show kindness to your fellow men,” the CJ said. “Is it not the duty of a person to get himself tested. If we are careless, we’ll face it. We are careless people.”
The judges said people are blaming the authorities, but they are failing in their duty. “You can start oxygen manufacturing plants and production of Remdesivir can be increased, but can you get overnight more doctors and nursing staff? They are also limited,” said Justice Kulkarni. The judges said people don’t take care and then hunt for medicines, beds and oxygen. “You are waiting for a third wave to come?” said Justice Kulkarni, adding that people wanted Kumbh Mela and marriages to take place.
Referring to the viral video where the West Tripura district magistrate stopped a wedding celebration, the CJ said, “The DM was too harsh, but the marriage was continuing even after curfew set in.” The judges then suggested that a lockdown like last year be imposed “unless it is absolutely crucial for a person to move out”.
The judges also referred to the death of an octogenarian from Nagpur who gave up his hospital bed for a younger Covid-19 patient. They said on social media people are saluting his sacrifice. “But what about your (state’s) healthcare system? Had we woken up earlier, we could save this gentleman also,” the bench said. The judges said many directions were passed in June 2020 in a PIL regarding Covid-19 situation in Maharashtra. “Caution was sounded long ago. Had we been more vigilant we would have avoided this situation. Our collective failure has brought us here,” said the CJ.
Referring to long queues at vaccination centres, the judges said time slots should be given so that all the people do not flock at the same time to take the vaccine. Advocate Arshil Shah said since four days he has been unable to get his mother vaccinated. “Till July, no slots are available,” he added.
The judges also batted for giving elderly Parsis priority in vaccination. AG Kumbhakoni said Serum Institute of India’s CEO Adar Poonawala has said he will keep aside some quota for his community. Senior advocate Anil Sakhare, for BMC, said, “Parsis have said they will wait for their turn. “We don’t want special quota for us.”