ndia enters its third day of the 21-day lockdown. State governments are enforcing a strict lockdown with some ending up in jail in Bihar. Migrant workers in some parts of India are walking back to their homes as public transport is not available.The number of positive cases is pouring in and the total has crossed 800. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Srinagar, and Karnataka reported coronavirus deaths, taking India’s toll to 19.
07.20PM
Fresh COVID-19 cases reported in Kerala, J&K, Telangana
Fresh cases of the novel coronavirus were reported in Kerala, Telangana, and Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. Telangana chief minister KC Rao said that ten new patients were reported, taking the total cases to 59 in the state.
Meanwhile, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, “39 new COVID-19 positive cases were reported in Kerala. 34 from Kasargod, two from Kannur and one each from Thrissur, Kozhikode, and Kollam. This takes the total positive cases in the state to 176, including 12 discharged patients.”
The Jammu and Kashmir government also said that the total number of COVID-19 cases in the union territory have risen to 18, with one casualty.
07.15PM
Nine more COVID-19 cases reported in Mumbai
The BMC on Friday said that nine more cases of coronavirus have been reported in Mumbai. Five have travel history and four are close contacts. Six of them are from Mumbai and three are from other places. The total number of positive cases in the city now stands at 86.
The Indian Express reported that a Mumbai doctor who tested positive for COVID-19, passed away on Thursday night at the city’s Hinduja Hospital.
“His grandson had returned from England on March 12 and was under self-quarantine, the family told civic officials. The 82-year-old developed cough four days ago and on Thursday underwent a CT scan at Saifee hospital. Upon testing, the respult was positive and the doctor was shifted to Hinduja. He passed way Friday night at 12.30 am,” the report said.
07.00PM
You’re a fighter, Modi tells Boris Johnson after UK PM tests COVID-19 positive
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacted to his counterpart in the UK Boris Johnson’s announcement of testing positive for the novel coronavirus on Friday. He said, “Prayers for your good health and best wishes in ensuring a healthy United Kingdom.”
Kejriwal says prepared to handle rise of 1,000 cases in one day
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the state government is equipped to handle an increase of even a 1,000 coronavirus cases in a day.
He said, “Even if there is an increase of 100, 500, or 1000 cases in a single day, we are ready for it. Testing kits, ambulances, and ICU beds have been arranged. We are not saying cases will increase, we are just preparing ourselves for any eventuality.”
He also addressed concerns of migrants from other states who are in the National Capital currently.
#WATCH Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal says, "All those who are leaving Delhi and going back to their respective states, we appeal to them to not leave the city. We have made enough arrangements for you". #COVID19pic.twitter.com/4Ayz9ZDQay
Uttar Pradesh principal health secretary Amit Mohan said that out of 49 coornavirus cases in state, 14 people have been discharged. “35 patients admitted in the hospitals are in stable condition. There are eight testing labs while a new lab in Jhansi will start functioning soon,” he added.
06.45PM
Five new COVID-19 cases reported in Punjab
Five new cases of novel coronavirus were on Friday reported in Punjab, the state health department said. Three cases are from SBS Nagar district, one from Jalandhar and one from SAS Nagar.
The statement also said that all the five patients are contacts of earlier positive cases.
Another case who was admitted in Amritsar found was negative and is cured. The total number of patients tested positive till date are 38.
06.40PM
Kanika Kapoor tests positive for COVID-19 in 3rd test
Singer Kanika Kapoor has tested positive in her third the novel coronavirus test, the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences hospital was quoted as saying by ANI.
06.30PM
Punjab govt making arrangements for wheat havesting
Punjab chief minister Amariner Singh said, “Proper arrangements are being put in place for wheat harvesting and the storage of potato crop in Punjab. The government will also ensure smooth procurement and release of timely payment to wheat farmers.”
Meanwhile, ANI quoted wheat farmers in Amritsar as saying, “If the crop is not harvested and wheat does not reach the grain market on time, we’ll will have to bear huge losses. Government should help us.”
06.20PM
Army says 6 hospitals to begin COVID-19 testing for defence forces soon
Officials of the Indian Army were quoted by ANI as saying that in addition to the five hospitals across the army, navy, and air force that are carrying out coronavirus tests, six additional hospitals are also being equipped with the resources to begin testing.
The officials also said, “Apart from Maldives, we are ready to dispatch Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) to Nepal for assisting them with the current COVID-19 situation. Other assistance as sought by MEA/MoD for other countries will be provided as and when required.”
06.00PM
Telangana govt enlists municipal bodies, DCs to provide facilities to daily wage workers
Telangana chief minister KC Rao said, “All the urban local bodies, municipal bodies and district collectors have been advised to provide all the necessary facilities to the needy, daily wage and contract workers.”
While the country went into a 21-day complete lockdown two days ago, reports about daily wage workers and migrants stranded without work and sustenance have flooded the media. The Centre and state governments are making efforts to minimise the effect of the lockdown on such marginalised sections.
05.45PM
I’m shaking hands continuously, said Boris Johnson days before testive positive
On 3 March, at the unveiling of the UK’s action plan against the coronavirus pandemic, reports quoted UK prime minister Boris Johnson as saying that he is constantly shaking hands with people, even with coronavirus patients. On Friday, he became the first prime minister in the world to test positive for the infection.
Earlier, he had said, “I’m shaking hands continuously. I was at a hospital the other night where I think there were actually a few coronavirus patients and I shook hands with everybody, you’ll be pleased to know. I continue to shake hands. We already have a fantastic NHS, fantastic testing systems and fantastic surveillance of the spread of the disease … I want to stress that for the vast majority of the people of this country, we should be going about our business as usual.”
05.20PM
1.4 lakh companies have asked employees to work from home, says Centre
Lav Aggarwal, joint secretary of the health ministry, said that around 1.4 lakh companies have asked their employees to work from home on the government’s appeal, adding, “President Ramnath Kovind also has interacted with all state Governoers to combat with Covid19 situation through video conference.”
05.00PM
Delhi govt distributes food to 2 lakh people
Today,lunch is being distributed among 2 Lakhs needy in 325 Govt Schools and in all Night Shelters run by Delhi Govt in different areas.
India’s tally of positive cases crosses 700; death toll at 16
India enters the second day of lockdown. The number of positive cases is pouring in and the total has crossed 700. Gujarat, Srinagar, and Karnataka reported coronavirus deaths, taking India’s toll to 16. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for a ‘Mahabharata’-like war against the coronavirus. How will the nation overcome this challenge, and can it win the war in 21 days?
India sees highest jump of COVID-19 cases in a day
The health ministry on Thursday said that 88 new cases of the novel coronavirus were reported in the country in a day, which is the highest jump of infections in a single day. The total number of cases rises to 694, the statement said.
7.15 PM | TAMIL NADU
Two more reports positive in Tamil Nadu
Two more positive cases were reported in Tamil Nadu. A 24-year-old man and 65-year-old woman both returned from London have been tested positive and are admitted in isolation wards at KMC Hospital. According to Tamil Nadu Health Department both the patients are stable and the total stands now at 28.
All persons, who have arrived into India after February 15, 2020, in addition to all those, who have already been advised, should remain in strict home/institutional quarantine for a period decided by health officials.
6.40 PM
COVID-19 cases rise to 13 in Jammu and Kashmir
The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday said that a total of 13 people have been tested positive for the novel coronavirus till Thursday in the union territory. 5482 people in contact with possibly infected/positive cases have till now been put under surveillance, the statement added.
6.30 PM | MAHARASHTRA
Essential services can remain open for 24 hours, says Uddhav
Maharashtra Chief Miniter, on Thursday, announced that “all grocery shops, chemists and other essential services can remain open for 24 hours.”
Mr. Thackeray further said “These shops will have to follow rules of social distancing and must take care in terms of health of customers.”
6.20 PM | KERALA
19 new COVID-19 cases reported in Kerala, 1.20 lakh under observation
Kerala reported 19 more positive cases of coronavirus on Thursday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said. India has more than 700 confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to data from the Health Ministry and State governments. The death toll stands at 17.
Kannur accounted for the highest number cases on Thursday with nine, while three cases each were from Kasaragod and Malappuram districts, followed by two from Thrissur and one each from Idukki and Wayanad, he told reporters here after a COVID-19 review meeting.
He said more than 1.20 lakh people are under observation in the state.
The Chief Minister welcomed the relief package announced by the central government to mitigate the sufferings of people in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.
5.45 PM | NEW DELHI
IAF creates nine quarantine facilities
The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday said it has created nine quarantine facilities of 200-300 personnel capacity each at its nodal bases across the country to combat the outbreak of COVID-19. “To monitor the prevailing situation and provide immediate response and assistance as required, a 24×7 crisis management cell has been set up at the IAF Headquarters and various Command Headquarters,” stated an IAF press release.
5.40 PM
CRPF donates Rs 33 crore to PM relief fund
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Thursday made a donation of Rs 33 crore to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic. “We are dutifully committed to stand firmly with our Nation in this challenging time of COVID-19 spread. It’s a unanimous decision and a sincere effort by our personnel. The effort was to make the immediate contribution with the noble intent to keep it unrevealed. The CRPF remains steadfast towards its motto of service and loyalty,” the statement said.
It is submitted that CRPF personnel have decided to make a humble contribution of one day salary to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. We are dutifully committed to stand firmly with our Nation in this challenging time of COVID-19 spread: Central Reserve Police Force pic.twitter.com/k9fNQTnvJs
Jammu and Kashmir Police mark lockdown violators with indelible ink
The Jammu and Kashmir police is putting stamps reading ‘corona lockdown violator’ on the hands of people in Ranbir Singh Pura city who are violating the complete lockdown over coronavirus. Shabir Khan, SDPO, RS Pura said, “We are using a permanent ink that takes around 15 days to erase”.
Jammu & Kashmir: Ranbir Singh Pura police is putting stamps reading 'corona lockdown violator' on the hands of people in the city who are violating the #CoronavirusLockdown. Shabir Khan, SDPO, RS Pura says, "We are using a permanent ink that takes around 15 days to erase". pic.twitter.com/rZDviUrL8e
First COVID19 positive case from Anantapur being treated in Bengaluru
A 64-year-old male resident of Anantapur district has tested positive for COVID19 and is currently being treated in Bengaluru Rural district. This is the first case of any patient who had gone from Anantapur, testing positive for the Corona Virus.
According to the official information given by the Government of Karnataka, he had returned from a trip to France on March 1 and later travelled again to Himachal Pradesh and returned to Puttaparthi. He travelled from Puttaparthi to Bengaluru on March 21 (Saturday) and during screening there, he tested positive.
The confirmation came last night along with three other cases. This is the 54th case out of 55 positive cases recorded by Karnataka State. Out of the 55 positive cases 3 persons have been discharged after treatment and two had died till 8 a.m. on Thursday in Karnataka.
About the Anantapur patient it said: “He has been isolated and being treated in the designated hospital in Bengaluru Rural District,” the communique said.
Meanwhile, the Anantapur district administration and District Medical and Health officials are in the process of finding out where exactly he was living, the condition of people whom he met in Puttaparthi, his own family members, if they live here.
5.40 PM
Delhi Police distributes food in Majnu ka Tila, Najafgarh
The Delhi Police on Thursday distributed food to people in the Najafgarh and Majnu ka Tila areas of the National Capital, ANI reported.
Wholesale medical suppliers in Bhagirath Palace to open from tom.: Delhi CM
“There are many wholesale suppliers of medical consumables, equipments and medicines in Bhagirath Palace. These had been closed due to lockdown. These will open from tomorrow,” tweets Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.
There are many wholesale suppliers of medical consumables, equipments and medicines in Bhagirath Palace. These had been closed due to lockdown. These will open from tomo
The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday announced extending the ongoing lockdown of the State to stem the spread of coronavirus till April 14, coinciding with the 21-day national lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The lockdown, announced by Chief Minister K Palainswami on Monday as part of the government’s measures to tackle COVID-19, was originally scheduled to be in force till March 31, 2020.
“The lockdown and related orders announced till March 31 are being extended till April 14,” an official release in Chennai said.
The decision was taken at a review meeting chaired by the Chief Minister with various department heads and district collectors to discuss the steps taken to tackle the spread of the virus, it said.
To implement the lockdown, the section 144 of Cr.Pc. was issued. It prohibits assembly of more than five persons.
5.18 PM | NEW DELHI
Order released on online delivery withdrawn
The order which allowed online delivery services to operate in the Capital has been withdrawn by Delhi Police within hours of issuing.
In an order dated March 26, which was released by police on Thursday morning, read that online delivery services like Zomato, Flipkart, Amazon, Swiggy, Myntra among others are allowed to operate in Delhi. However, the order was later withdrawn.
The order shared around 4pm read “This message may please be treated as withdrawn with immediate effect. Revised instructions shall follow”.
5.05 PM | NEW DELHI
The Central government has capped the price of 3-ply meltblown face masks at Rs. 16/piece till June 30.
4.40 PM
Mahindra group teams produce ventilators for COVID-19 patients
Mahindra Group chairperson Anand Mahindra on Thursday congratulated two teams of the company for producing various renditions of a ventilator for coronavirus patients.
So, so proud of our Kandivali & Igatpuri teams who confined themselves to the factories & without sleep produced this in 48hrs. With humility, we will seek guidance from specialists on the usefulness of the device. Whatever the outcome, they have shown India fights back… pic.twitter.com/LrVXm4Acku
Army looks at additional infrastructure for quarantine centres
The Army has started the process of identifying additional infrastructure for setting up quarantine centres in each station for its personnel to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak, senior officials said on Thursday.
The force is also preparing a plan to “sidestep” medical personnel from lesser virus-affected areas to those severely affected by the outbreak, the officials noted.
4.50 PM | CHENNAI
Tamil Nadu CM orders banks to stop collecting interest
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami orders private banks/small finance institutions and SHGs to stop collecting daily/weekly/monthly interest from parties until further orders. Criminal action will be initiated against violators.
4.30 PM | ODISHA
Odisha plans biggest COVID-19 hospitals in the country
The Odisha government has planned to set up the biggest COVID-19 hospitals in the country. Tripartite agreements have been signed between the State, corporates and two medical colleges in Bhubaneswar – SUM and KIIMS Medical Colleges – to set up State-level hospitals with a capacity of 1,000 beds for treatment of COVID-19 patients.
4.10 PM | NEW DELHI
Rate of increase in cases has slowed: Health Ministry
Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Health Ministry, in a press briefing says any person who doesn’t support the Centre in social distancing and lockdown would make the government’s efforts infructuous. “We request those who have come from abroad to follow quarantining,” he adds. There’s a containment strategy being followed aggressively.
The cases are increasing, but the rate of increase has slowed. However, nothing can be taken for granted yet. The Cabinet secretary had a meeting with chief secretaries of States on preparedness. Online training has been initiated across country for doctors with AIIMS. Behavioural health modules have been introduced with NIMHANS to educate people about mental health, along with training and orientation for Asha health care workers, says Mr. Agarwal.
Essential good and services, health services should be unrestricted, says a health ministry official.
There are special charters for the northeast regions for supplying medicines. We implore people to stay where they are and avail required care locally.
Rejecting a claim made by actor Amitabh Bachchan recently that houseflies can spread the COVID-19, the official says that the disease is an infectious disease and doesn’t spread through flies.
As many as 64,411 people are under suveillance, he adds.
All patients with SARI (severe pulmonary) can be tested, says an ICMR official. However, all healthcare workers need not be tested.
We are not seeing any unusual mortality among the elderly, says the ICMR, adding that nonetheless the elderly are more vulnerable.
A meeting of a GoM (Group of Ministers) is on to take further decisions regarding travel.
There is no evidence yet of community transmission. If we are unable to trace the contact history of one or two positive patients, it’s not an instance of community transmission, says the ICMR official.
“Only when it is happening in large numbers and we are unable to verify it, we will let you know. In fact that might necessitate further steps,” he adds.
4.10 PM
‘Media should not report isolated incidents’
Media should not report isolated instances of untraceable contacts as it could spread fear, says Raman Gangakhedkar, chief scientist at ICMR.
As many as 25 private labs are providing testing services. They have nearly 20,000 collection centres. However, testing has not been expanded majorly as several have not got their tests yet.
If we implement the steps that we have imposed, then all the modelling that predict lakhs and millions of cases in India will be proved wrong. We should all strive for that, says Mr. Agarwal.
4.00 PM | HYDERABAD
Three more test positive in Telangana
Three more COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Telangana till Thursday afternoon, including a doctor couple from Domalguda in the city. Till now, the total number of cases in the State stands at 44, including one person who was discharged.
3.50 PM | CHENNAI
Migrant labourers from Andhra Pradesh walking towards the TN – AP border on Thursday. | Photo Credit: M. Vedhan
3.45 PM | BIHAR
The test result of suspected COVID-19 patient from Bettiah in West Champaran of Bihar who died today has come negative, RMRI director Dr. Pradeep Kumar Das in Patna told The Hindu.3.40 PM | NEW DELHI
Christian Michel moves Delhi HC
Christian Michel James, alleged middleman arrested in connection with the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, moved the Delhi High Court on Thursday seeking interim bail citing risk of contracting COVID-19 in Tihar Jail, where he is currently lodged.
One more patient has tested positive in Nagpur. With this, the total number of positive cases in Maharashtra touched 125.
2.40 PM | RAJASTHAN
Rajasthan reports two new cases
Two new COVID-19 positive cases have been detected in Rajasthan. One is a 45-year-old man from Jaipur, and the other a 35-year-old man from Jhunjhunu. Both have travel history to the Middle East. The total number of confirmed patients in Rajasthan is now 40.
Meanwhile, a 73-year-old man died in Bhilwara today. He was admitted in a state of coma from March 3 to 11 at a private hospital where some doctors were later found COVID-19 positive. Rajasthan Health Department says the man has died in coma because of kidney failure and brain stroke, and not due to COVID-19.
2.35 PM | HYDERABAD
Apollo Hospitals launches ‘ Project Kavach’ to tackle COVID-19
Apollo Hospitals has launched ‘ Project Kavach’, a comprehensive approach to tackle COVID-19. This includes online self assessment for risk, testing, preventive measures, isolation rooms, engaging with and managing the patient.
Group Chairman Prathap C. Reddy in a virtual press conference said the healthcare chain will launch its first set of isolation rooms with medical supervision on Saturday.
They have idenfied 250 beds across India for COVID-19 patients, which can be scaled up.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a press conference today announced several steps towards providing relief to the salaried individuals.Click to expandWe are sorry, this video can not be played.
In the employee provident fund (EPF) account, the employee’s contribution of 12 per cent plus 12 per cent of the employer’s contribution will be paid by the government for the next 3 months.
Based on the basic salary of the employee, 12 per cent is equally contributed by the employee and the employer. The interest rate is paid on such monthly running balance that keeps accumulating in the employee’s PF account.
“The proposal to permit non-refundable advance to employees out of their PF balances will help employees to tide over their liquidity issues. Currently, non-refundable advances are permitted only for specified purposes such as housing, marriage etc. Even these are permitted where the employee has put in a minimum services period. The FM’s proposal will enable employees to withdraw up to 75 per cent of the PF balances limited to 3 months wages as non-refundable advance enhancing the liquidity of employees,” says Saraswathi Kasturirangan, Partner, Deloitte India.
This relief package may, however, be not available to all employees and hence knowing the eligibility helps. This PF benefit will be applicable to all those establishments which have up to 100 employees and out of those, 90 per cent are earning less than Rs 15,000 a month. Only employees in such establishments will be eligible for this benefit.
Importantly, 8.33 per cent of the employer’s contribution goes into the employee’s pension scheme (EPS) every month.
Overall, this package will give relief to eligible employees regarding their retirement money.
In another move, the government has announced that the EPFO Scheme regulations will also be amended to allow non-refundable advance which will be 75 per cent of credit balance I.e. PF balance or 3 months of wages, thus benefiting 80 lakh employees of nearly 4 lakh establishments.
5 positive cases reported in Indore; India’s tally jumps to 570
More reports of positive cases pour in as Indian enters into a 21-day lockdown. Indore has detected five cases, while Bihar has added one more to its tally. The person who died yesterday in Delhi was COVID-19 negative. India comes to a halt with the lockdown, assured by the government that essential commodities will be available. The number of positive cases in India soars to 570.
10.10 AM | MADHYA PRADESH
Four persons in Indore and one in Ujjain test positive for COVID-19, taking the count in Madhya Pradesh to 14.
Three new COVID-19 cases in Telangana, total mounts to 39
ThreefreshcasesofCOVID-19have been reported inTelangana, taking thetotalnumber of people infected with the virus in the state to39, according to a bulletin issued by the state government late Tuesday night.
9.55 AM | NEW DELHI
MHA asks private security agencies to not lay off security guards as malls, shops and other establishments are shut. “This is the time for the private security industry to adopt a humane approach and protect its staff and members from lay-offs”.
9.50AM
Railways exploring manufacture of medical items
The Indian Railways is exploring the possibility of manufacturing select essential medical items such as hospital beds, medical trolleys and sanitizers at its various production units. In a communique to general managers at its production units, the Railway Board on Tuesday asked them to “assess the feasibility to manufacture these items in large quantities [as may be required] at short notice. Items identified thus may be communicated to the Board along with its likely production rate.”
9.45AM
Data | How prepared are India’s States in health infrastructure to tackle COVID-19
The chart plots the number of COVID-19 sample testing centres against the average number of people served by one testing centre across States. While Maharashtra has the highest number of testing centres and relatively better coverage, the State is still under-equipped to detect cases as one testing centre is available for 1.02 crore people.
9.40AM
Second COVID-19 death from Delhi negative, says Home Ministry; revised toll at 9 in India
The Home Ministry on Wednesday clarified that the second death reported in Delhi was COVID-19 negative. Ten deaths so far have been reported from Maharashtra (two), Bihar, Karnataka, Gujarat, Punjab, Delhi, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Himachal Pradesh. According to the data, the number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 512 while 41 people have been cured/discharged or migrated. The figure includes 43 foreign nationals, the Health Ministry said.
9.30AM
Sensex falls 200 points; Nifty below 7,800
The Sensex fell 191.60 points to 0.72 percent to 26,482.43 and the Nifty was down 49.40 points or 0.63 percent to 7,751.65 at 10 AM. About 435 shares have advanced, 699 shares declined, and 63 shares are unchanged.
9.20AM
BigBasket services impacted
Alibaba-backed online grocer BigBasket said its services had been impacted. “We are working with the local authorities for the passes and permits that allow movement of personnel and vehicles involved,” BigBasket said in a statement. The company also said it was booked for the next seven days in almost all the cities it operated in, highlighting stockpiling by customers.
We have been trying our best to serve the customers based on the understanding that we come under essential services.
33 year old in Lucknow becomes first case of contact transmission
A 33-year-old resident of Pilibhit has been tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday. “He doesn’t have any travel history, it is a confirmed case of contact transmission,” Dr Sudhir Singh, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow told ANI.
9.15AM
MHA asks states to check rumours about shortage of food, essential commodities
In the wake of the 21-day lockdown period, the Union Home Ministry has asked state governments to check the spread of rumours about the shortage of food and other essential commodities.
In a communication to chief secretaries and DGPs of all states, the ministry asked them to take action to allay apprehensions and maintain peace and tranquillity, and inform people about the availability of food, medicine and other essential commodities.
The ministry said that in the wake of the orders issued under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (for lockdown), there were possibilities of rumour-mongering, including those about a shortage of food and other essential services and commodities.
9.00AM
US newspapers urge China not to expel their journalists
The publishers of three major American newspapers have written an open letter asking China to reverse its recent decision to expel many of their correspondents working in the country.
The letter posted online on Tuesday referred to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, saying the expulsions threaten access to information at a time when it is needed most. It was signed by the publishers of The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal.
“This move ó made in retaliation for recent expulsions by the United States government ó is one that we would protest under any circumstances,” they wrote.
8.50AM
COVID-19 epicentre Wuhan resumes bus services, China reports 47 new imported cases
Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus pandemic, on Wednesday resumed bus services within the city for the first time since the nine-week lockdown even as 47 new imported cases were reported from the country, threatening the second wave of infections.
China on Tuesday decided to lift the three-month lockdown on more than 56 million people in the central Hubei province. However, the prolonged lockdown of Hubei’s capital Wuhan will end on April 8, lifting the mass quarantine over the city with a population of over 11 million.
While Hubei and Wuhan have not reported any new COVID-19 case, four people died in the city taking the death toll in China to 3,281, the National Health Commission (NHC) said.
China on Wednesday said that no new domestically transmitted case was reported on the Chinese mainland on Tuesday.
8.45 AM | NEW DELHI
No shortage of essential items, reiterates Centre
The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday release a GO reiterating that there will be no shortage of essential items during the 21-day lockdown. It asked the States to publicise that food, medicine, civil supplies and essential items will be available, amid possibilities of “rumour mongering” that there is a shortage.
8.30 AM | NEW DELHI
Govt gives power to zonal DCs to take strict action against landlords evicting doctors
According to a government notification, such behaviour “not only strikes at the root of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic but also tantamount to obstruction of duty of essential services”.
4.30 AM | JODHPUR
277 Indians returned from Iran by Mahan air
All 277 passengers who returned from Iran and tested COVID-19 negative were sent to be quarantined at Jodhpur’s army quarantine facility.
They flew early morning by two special Air India flights at 3.30 a.m. and 4.30 a.m. from Delhi to Jodhpur in the last domestic flights before lock down.
The first flight was commanded by Capt M.S. Zaheer and Co-pilot Tulunga and Second flight commanded by Capt. Radheyshyam Arora and Co-pilot G. Singh.
3.30 AM | NEW DELHI
Govt bans export of anti-malarial drug hydroxycloroquine
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government on Wednesday banned export of anti-malarial drug hydroxycloroquine, with immediate effect to ensure sufficient availability of the medicine in the domestic market.
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Director General Balram Bhargava had on Monday recommended the use of hydroxychloroquine for treating healthcare workers handling suspected or confirmed coronavirus cases and also the asymptomatic household contacts of the lab-confirmed cases.
2.00 AM | CHENNAI
TN records first death of COVID-19 patient
Tamil Nadu recorded its first death of a patient, who had tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The 54-year-old man, who tested positive on March 23 and was undergoing treatment at Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai, died. At 2:02 a.m. on Wednesday, Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar tweeted, “Despite our best efforts, the COVID-19 positive patient in Madurai Rajaji Hospital passed away a few minutes back. He had medical history of prolonged illness with steroid dependent Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseas, uncontrolled diabetes with hypertension.”
Narendra Modi has announced a 21-day lockdown starting from midnight tonight as a major step in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the “containment” period of 21 days from March 25, 2020, the following services
Will remain open:
Shops, including ration shops, dealing with food, groceries, fruits and vegetables, dairy and milk booths, meat and fish, animal fodder. District authorities to encourage home delivery to minimise individual movement.
Banks, insurance offices and ATMs
Print and electronic media
Telecommunication services (internet, cable, IT/IT enabled services for essentials)
Delivery of food, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment through e-commerce
Petrol pumps, LPG, petroleum and gas retail and storate outlets
Power and electricity services
Capital and debt markets notified by SEBI
Cold storage and warehousing
Private security services
Also open are offices of GOI such as Defence, police forces, treasury, public uitilies, disaster management, power generation and transmission, post offices, NIC, early warning agencies; State govt. institutions such as police, home guards, fire services, disaster management and prisons, district administration and treasury, electricity, water sanitation, municipal bodies. Hospitals and all medical establishments will be open. Transportation only of essential services will be permitted.
Manufacturing/production units of essential commodities, hotels/Lodges etc which accommodate tourists and persons stranded due to lockdown, emergency staff, air and sea crew will also remain open
What will be closed:
GOI & State offices, commercial, private establishments, transport services (exceptions above) will remain closed.
Educational institutions, places of worship, functions and gatherings will be closed/barred without exception.
Funerals – not more than 20 people will be permitted
People violating containment measures will be liable to be proceeded against provisions of Disaster Management Act, besides legal action under Sect. 88 of the IPC
