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
A Chinese man died due to ‘hantavirus’, Chinese state-media reported, spreading panic at a time when the world is fighting the novel coronavirus pandemic. However, hantanvirus is not a new virus and has been infecting humans for decades.
HIGHLIGHTS
A Chinese man died due to ‘hantavirus’, Chinese state-media reported
Hantanvirus is not a new virus and has been infecting humans for decades
This morning, hantavirus became one of the top trends on Twitter
Reports of a person in China dying due to a virus called hantavirus have spread panic at a time when the world is battling the pandemic of novel coronavirus, which began in China. The novel coronavirus has killed over 16,000 people around the world and the outbreak is yet to be brought under control.
This morning, hantavirus became one of the top trends on Twitter after the Chinese state media tweeted about one person in the country dying due the virus. However, it turns out, hantavirus is not a new virus and has been infecting humans for decades.
Global Times, a state-run English-language newspaper, wrote on Twitter on Tuesday, “A person from Yunnan Province died while on his way back to Shandong Province for work on a chartered bus on Monday. He was tested positive for hantavirus. Other 32 people on bus were tested.”
A person from Yunnan Province died while on his way back to Shandong Province for work on a chartered bus on Monday. He was tested positive for #hantavirus. Other 32 people on bus were tested. pic.twitter.com/SXzBpWmHvW
Global Times’s hantavirus report on Twitter has been shared over 6,000 times.
On Tuesday, hantavirus was one of the top trends on Twitter.
WHAT IS HANTAVIRUS?
Some people are calling it a new virus but so is not the case. United States’s National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) in a journal writes that currently, the hantavirus genus includes more than 21 species.
In 1978, a causative agent Korean Hemerologic fever was isolated from small infected field rodent near Hantan river in South Korea.
The virus was named as Hantaan virus, after the name of the river Hantan. This initial discovery dates back to scientific approaches that were initiated after the Korean war (1951-1953), during which more than 3,000 cases of Korean hemorrhagic fever were reported among United Nations (UN) troops.
In 1981, a new genus termed as “hantavirus” was introduced in the Bunyaviridae family, which included the viruses that cause hemoroligic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).
CDC ON HANTAVIRUS
The United State’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on its website, writes that hantaviruses are a family of viruses spread mainly by rodents and can cause varied disease syndromes in people across the world.
“Hantaviruses in the Americas are known as ‘New World’ hantaviruses and may cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome [HPS],” CDC says. “Other hantaviruses, known as ‘Old World’ hantaviruses, are found mostly in Europe and Asia and may cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome [HFRS].”
Any man, woman, or child who is around mice or rats that carry harmful hantaviruses can get HPS.
People get HPS when they breath in hantaviruses. This can happen when rodent urine and droppings that contain a hantavirus are stirred up into the air. People can also become infected when they touch mouse or rat urine, droppings, or nesting materials that contain the virus and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth. They can also get HPS from a mouse or rat bite.
In the US, 10 confirmed cases of hantavirus infection in people who visited Yosemite National Park in California, US, in November, 2012, were reported. Similarly, in 2017, CDC assisted health officials in investigating an outbreak of Seoul virus infection that infected 17 people in seven states.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HANTAVIRUS?
If people get HPS, they will feel sick one to five weeks after they were around mice or rats that carried a hantavirus.
At first people with HPS will have:
Fever Severe muscle aches Fatigue
After a few days they will have a hard time breathing. Sometimes people will have headaches, dizziness, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
Usually, people do not have a runny nose, sore throat, or a rash.
As India tackles the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced various measures taken by the country and about the vital aspects of the disease.
“My dear countrymen, I once again have come among you to speak about Coronavirus.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins his speech “The resolution that we made on March 22, of a Janata Curfew, all carried it out with the greatest sincerity and came together.”
Mr. Modi says “With one day’s Janata Curfew the country demonstrated that when there is a crisis before the country or humanity, we stand united.
“You are watching what the global situation is with regard to Coronavirus.
‘Most countries are helpless’
“Even the most prosperous of countries have been made helpless by this pandemic.”
The Prime Minister says “It’s not like they don’t have resources or they are not trying, but the virus is such that these efforts are not enough.”
“The experience of these countries in the last two months, and what the experts are also saying is that there is only one way to effectively combat it is social distancing.”
He says “To stop Coronavirus, we must break the cycle of its spread.
“Some people are under the erroneous assumption that social distancing is only for those who are infected, but that is not true. It’s for everyone even for the PM.”
“The irresponsibilty of some people will imperil your life, the life of your children. If this continues then you and India may have to pay a huge price.
21-day lockdown
Mr. Modi says “In the last two days several states have gone under lockdown. Tonight from 12pm, the whole country will come under complete lockdown.”
The Prime Minister says “This is being done to save every citizen of the country.”
Mr. Modi “In every state, every union territory, every district, kasbah is being lockeddown. This is a curfew, stricter than Janata curfew.”
Mr. Modi says “No doubt we will have to pay a cost for this, but to save the life of every Indian is the priority for me, government of India, state governments, local government.”
“As of now the lockdown will be for three weeks, 21 days.”
“I ask that you please stay where you are. The coming 21 days are very important to break the coronavirus infection cycle. If we are not sincere in the curfew for 21 days then the country will fall back 21 years. For 21 days forget about venturing out. Stay home. Just do that one thing.”
Mr. Modi says “Draw a Laxman Rekha outside your door and remember that even step outside of it will bring Coronavirus into your house. Corona yaani koi road par na nikley”.
Mr. Modi says “Experts also say that if today anyone acquired the virus, symptoms arise several days later. Within that time he/she can infect others.”
“WHO says that one infected person can spread it to several people within a week. It’s a fast spreading infection. It took 67 days for the first 100,000 cases. The next 100,000 came up within only 11 days.
“What is most scary that it reached 300,000 within 4 days. You can see how fast it can spread and once it does it’s difficult to stop it.
“In Countries like China, US, Italy, Iran once things went out of hand it’s been difficult to get back control it. Italy and US and UK are considered countries with good health infrastructure and still they are struggling.
Mr. Modi says “The ray of hope has come from the experience from countries where some control has been found over the infection. These are countries that enforced social distance rigorously.
‘Social distancing must’
The Prime Minister says “No matter what we should stay at home. Social distance applies from Prime Minister to every citizen.
“State and Centre are both making efforts to make sure that we tackle this challenge. For sure this challenge will be particularly hard for the poor. Alongside Govt, civil society outfits should help mitigate some of their hardship. We have to prioritise what is required for saving life. The govt has taken advise from WHO, scientists and health experts.”
Mr. Modi says “Government has allotted Rs. 15,000 crores to strengthen health infra to combat coronavirus. This will be spent on testing centres, PPE, ventilators and other equipment. Private sector and private labs have also joined the fight.”
Mr. Modi says “Friends do remember that at such times rumours also abound. Please try and avoid being swayed by rumours.”
The Prime Minister says “I pray that you do not take any medicine without consultation with a doctor.”
Mr. Modi finally asserts “21 days of lockdown is a long time but for the safety of your family this is the only way that we have. I am confident that every Indian will not only combat this difficult situation but will emerge victorious. “
India cricketer Suresh Raina and wife were blessed with a baby boy on Monday, his Chennai Super Kings teammate Harbhajan Singh revealed.
Harbhajan Singh took to social media to share the news and said: “Congratulations @iamraina and Priyanka for the baby boy”.
Suresh Raina revealed on social media that the couple has named their baby boy, Rio. The star cricketer also shared a photo of himself with his wife and the newborn.
“The beginning of all things wonder, hope, possibilities and a better world! We are proud to welcome our son & Gracia’s little brother – Rio Raina. May he flows beyond boundaries, bringing peace, renewal & prosperity to everyone’s life.” Raina wrote.
The beginning of all things – wonder, hope, possibilities and a better world! We are proud to welcome our son & Gracia’s little brother – Rio Raina. May he flows beyond boundaries, bringing peace, renewal & prosperity to everyone’s life. pic.twitter.com/SLR9FPutdx
The baby boy is Suresh Raina and Priyanka’s second child. They had become parents in 2016 when Priyanka gave birth to their daughter, whom they named Gracia.
Congratulations @ImRaina and Priyanka for the baby 👦🍼 boy ❤️🤗
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) March 23, 2020
Shortly before Harbhajan Singh tweeted, Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Chennai Super Kings took to social media and welcome their ‘Kutti Thala’. Notably, Suresh Raina is fondly called ‘Chinna Thala’ in Tamil Nadu as he has been as crucial member of CSK’s title-winning teams over the years.
Suresh Raina last played for India in July 2018. The World Cup 2011 winner has not played competitive cricket since IPL 2019. The all-rounder underwent a knee surgery in August last year and was undergoing recovery.
Suresh Raina trained with his Chennai Super Kings teammates MS Dhoni, Ambati Rayudu, Piyush Chawla among others in Chennai during the 1st week of March before the training camp was called off due to Covid-19 pandemic.
CSK were gearing up for IPL 2020 but the cash-rich T20 league has now been suspended until April 15 due to novel coronavirus.
On Sunday, Suresh Raina took to social media to pay his tribute to India’s essential service providers who have been working tirelessly despite the lockdown imposed in several states even as the Covid-19 cases are rising in the country.
The Covid-19 pandemic has jolted the global sporting calendar with several high-profile events being cancelled or postponed. The Board of Control for Cricket in India, apart from suspending IPL has also suspended all domestic cricket until the mid of April.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a press conference on March 24 said that last date of filing income tax return for the financial year 2018-19 will now be June 30, 2020. Interest rate on late payment will be reduced to 9 percent from 12 percent. She also said that interest on delayed deposit for TDS will be reduced to 9 percent from 18 percent earlier.
Earlier in the day, Sitharaman had tweeted that an economic package was being readied to cushion the impact of COVID-19 outbreak in the country which has forced many states into a temporary lockdown.
Aadhar, PAN linking date will also be extended to June 30 from March 31 earlier.
Even as we are readying an economic package to help us through the Corona lockdown (on priority, to be announced soon) I will address the media at 2pm today, specifically on statutory and regulatory compliance matters. Via video conference. @FinMinIndia@PIB_India@ANI@PTI_News
The deadline for settling tax disputes under the Vivad se Vishwaas scheme, without paying any interest and penalty, will be extended from March 31, 2020 to June 30.
Last date for filing March, April and May 2020 GST returns is being extended to June 30, 2020, she said.
For companies with a turnover of less than Rs 5 crore, no interest, late fee or penalty will be charged.
No late fee, penalties for companies with a turnover of more than Rs 5 crore but interest would be charged at 9 percent.
Payment date under the ‘Sabka Vishwas’ scheme, which was for settling disputes in the indirect tax regime, has been extended till June 30, 2020.
“We are relaxing holding of board meetings for a period of 60 days till the next two quarters,” Sitharaman said.
Applicability of The Companies Auditors’ Report Order 2020, which was supposed to have come into force in 2019-20, has been shift to 2020-21.
“If there is a company director who does not comply with the minimum residency requirement, it shall not be treated as a violation,” Sitharaman added.
It will not be seen as a violation if independent directors cannot hold a single meeting in FY20.
“We may consider suspending Section 7, 9 and 10 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), at a later stage, if the current situation continues beyond six months,” the FM said.
Sitaraman also added that an economic package would be “announced sooner rather than later.”
Earlier in the day, Sitharaman had tweeted that an economic package was being readied to cushion the impact of COVID-19 outbreak in the country which has forced many states into a temporary lockdown.
As many as 560 districts in India are now under complete lockdown.
So far, India has reported 492 confirmed cases, with 10 dead. The Union Health Ministry said that 37 people have recovered so far.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also address the nation at 8 pm today.
“Will address the nation at 8 PM today, 24th March 2020, on vital aspects relating to the menace of COVID-19,” the PM tweeted.
वैश्विक महामारी कोरोना वायरस के बढ़ते प्रकोप के संबंध में कुछ महत्वपूर्ण बातें देशवासियों के साथ साझा करूंगा। आज, 24 मार्च रात 8 बजे देश को संबोधित करूंगा।
Will address the nation at 8 PM today, 24th March 2020, on vital aspects relating to the menace of COVID-19.
