Coronavirus India, Global Latest News Live Updates
India's 30 states and Union Territories including Delhi, Chandigarh, West Bengal, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Assam, Uttarakhand etc. have gone into a lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19. The state governments imposed a state-wide curfew, starting Monday, a day after the country observed "Janata curfew".
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman extended the last date for filing income tax returns for FY19 to June 30 while assuring that the government would soon come out with an economic package amid businesses and commercial activities taking a hit due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
The government has also extended the last date for linking PAN with Aadhaar to June 30 from March 31. Sitharaman said the Vivad se Vishwas tax dispute resolution scheme had been extended by three months to June 30. Those availing the scheme by the extended deadline will not have to pay 10 per cent interest on the principal amount.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday urged people to take the lockdown seriously. “Some people are still not taking the lockdown seriously. Please save yourself, your family by following instructions seriously. I request the states to ensure enforcement of the rules and laws,” Modi tweeted.
In Maharashtra, where cases rose to 97, with the sharpest rise of 23 in a day, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced curfew-like measures, issuing strict orders for people to keep indoors, and sealing borders. Violators could either face a fine of Rs 1,000 or a jail term of six months if they do not abide by the lockdown orders which have been imposed across states in view of the rising coronavirus cases in the country, the government said on Monday.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Monday warned that the coronavirus pandemic is clearly "accelerating", but said it was still possible to "change the trajectory" of the outbreak.
Here's a quick Coronavirus guide from Express Explained to keep you updated: Are smokers at high risk form coronavirus? | Can Vitamin-C prevent or cure coronavirus infection? | What exactly is community spread of coronavirus? | How long can the Covid-19 virus survive on a surface? | Amid the lockdown, what is allowed, what is prohibited?
On December 31, 2019, China informed the world about the mysterious pneumonia sweeping through Hubei. On January 7, 2020, COVID-19 was identified. A day later, the first meeting of the joint monitoring group was held in India. In effect, that is when India’s preparation started — one of the earliest starts by any country. The first COVID-19 case was reported on January 30. Fifty-three days later, the government announced an allocation to ramp up medical infrastructure, including ventilators. Read more
In just nine days, the number of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases detected in India has jumped from 100 to over 500. While it was 110 on March 15, the count stood at 519 on Tuesday, of which 39 have recovered. With one more death in Delhi, the toll is now 10. While the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare confirmed the death in Delhi, it did not give any details. Read here
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for a nationwide lockdown on Tuesday night, people panicked and rushed to grocery shops to stock up on essential items. Below is a picture from a grocery shop in Kurla in Mumbai.
(Express Photo by Pradip Das)
Customers started behaving oddly about a week ago visibly dejected street vendor Frank Mojapelo said Some were wary to exchange cash Some backed away or refused to touch him Now an unprecedented lockdown looms in South Africa over the coronavirus with a country of 57 million people told to stay home starting Friday Virus cases leapt again to 554 on Tuesday the most of any country in Africa Fortythree of the continents 54 countries now have cases with the total at 2046 the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. (AP)
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide lockdown for 21 days, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said that nobody should gather in large numbers on the streets and in shops. "I have spoken to PM Narendra Modi. The rules announced by the state government will remain applicable and essential commodities and services will continue to remain open."
The number of cases in India has risen to 536, the Indian Council of Medical Research said.
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has asked people to not step out of their houses as essential commodities including — vegetables, milk, fruits, medicines and the likes will be delivered to people's doorsteps from Wednesday. "From tomorrow vegetables, milk, fruits, medicines and other essential commodities will be delivered to your doorsteps for which we have identified more than 10,000 vehicles. I appeal to you to not go to the market to buy essential items."
"I would like to assure the 23 crore people of Uttar Pradesh that we have enough stock of essential items like vegetables,milk, medicines etc. For the safety of you and your family don't step out of your houses & maintain social distance," he said.
In view of the 21-day nationwide complete lockdown, the Supreme Court has said it will not take up the matter listed before it for tomorrow through video conferencing. The matters are adjourned.
Minutes after the Prime Minister declared the lockdown, people rushed to ration shops, medical stores to buy essential items. Modi has urged people not to panic-buy commodities. "By converging around shops, you are risking the spread of COVID-19," he said.
People in Vadodara, Gujarat throng to petrol to pumps and medical stores after PM Modi declared a 21-day lockdown on the nation. The MHA, in its guidelines, has stated that petrol pumps, LPG, Petroleum gas retail and storage outlets shall remain open during the lockdown. Delivery of pharmaceuticals will remain opened too.
In less than 20 minutes the store in Vadodara had run out of items like wheat, milk powder, sugar, tea, etc. (Express photo: Aditi Raja)
People rush to nearby shops in Kolkata. (Express photo)
Commercial and private establishments shall be closed down, except:
* Ration shops (under PDS) dealing with food, groceries, fruits and vegetables, dairy and milk booths, meat and fish, animal fodder.
* Banks, insurance offices and ATMs.
* Print and electronic media.
* Telecommunications, internet services, broadcasting and cable services. IT and IT enabled servcies (for essential services) and as far as possible to work from home.
* Delivery of all essential goods - food, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment through E-commerce.
* Petrol pumps, LPG, Petroleum gas retail and storage outlets.
* Capital and debt market servcies as notified by SEBI.
* Power generation, transmission, and distribution units and services.
* Cold storage and warehousing services.
*Private security services.
PM Modi says essential commodities, medicines etc. would be available. Centre and various state governments will work in close coordination to ensure this.
Minutes after PM Modi declared a country-wide lockdown starting midnight, people scrambled to nearby shops to buy essentials.
The Ministry of Home Affairs will shortly issue guidelines of effective measures and exceptions to the essential services during this 21-day lockdown. There will shortly be an MHA 24/7 hotline to assist states during this period.
PM Modi said all essential services will continue and remain functional. The list of essential services will remain unchanged as mentioned on the 'Janata curfew' day.
Hopeful of emerging victorious from this challenge, PM Modi urges people to take care of themselves and their family and requests all not to believe in rumours and superstitions. 'Don't take any medicines without consulting doctors,' PM said.
"Lockdown of 21 days is a long time, but this is important for you and your family's safety. I believe that every Indian will not only successfully tackle this challenge but also emerge victorious in this time of crisis," he says.
PM Modi says, 'Centre has made allocation of Rs 15,000 crore to strengthen health infrastructure to tackle coronavirus. I have requested all states that health services should be first priority in this situation.'
The lumpsum amount has been allocated for the facilitation of testing facilities, PPEs, ICUs, Ventilators and training medical workers.
I have requested the state govenernments to make sure priority is given to healthcare, says PM Modi.
PM Modi says, "I appeal to you with folded hands to remember people putting their lives at risk for our safety. All steps being taken by central and state government to ensure supply of essential items."
There is no need to worry about supplies as provisions have been made to take care of that: PM Modi
Appealing people to stay at home, PM Modi says, "Today India is at the stage where our actions today, will decide that to what extent we can bring down the impact of this disaster. This is the time to strengthen our resolve again and again."
Till the time there's lockdown, we have to stay true to our decisision. Just think of the medical staff who are fighting to save lives in the hospitals across the country, says PM Modi.
If we are not able to manage the upcoming 21 days (of nationwide complete lockdown), we will be pushed back 21 years: PM Narendra Modi
PM Modi says according to experts a coronavirus infected person initially appears to be normal and doesn't show symptoms and urges people to maintain precautions and stay at home. "With folded hands, I appeal to people not to go out of their homes," he says.
Pm Modi says, "If we are not able to manage the upcoming 21 days (of nationwide complete lockdown), we will be pushed back 21 years. We may have to pay financial cost for this lockdown but it is important for safety of people."
PM Modi says India will go under full lockdown from 12 am tonight for 21 days. "This lockdown is in a way curfew and would be more stringent than Janta curfew," he says.
Some people have a misplaced notion that social distancing is only for people who are sick. It is for all citizens, family members, and also for the Prime Minister, says PM Modi.
PM Narendra Modi addresses the nation and says, "We are together in this crisis. You all need to be admired for following the 'Janata curfew'. Social distancing is the only way to combat the virus."
Eight new coronavirus cases have come to light in Karnataka, taking the number to 41 in the state. The state health department clarified, that of the 41 cases, six were transit passengers of Kerala who landed at Karnataka airports. With eight new positive cases, this is the biggest leap in a day. As on Monday, the cases were 33.
The Uttar Pradesh Relief Commissioner has declared the spread of the coronavirus as 'state disaster'.
In Gujarat's Rajkot, two more persons have contracted the coronavirus — a 36-year-old man and 76-year-old woman. The man has a travel history to abroad, whereas details of the woman are being ascertained, Rajkot CDHO Dr Mitesh Bhanderi said. Both patients are residents of Rajkot.
Home Minister Amit Shah has directed police to take strict action against landlords asking doctors and nurses, who are treating patients, to vacate residences. "Home Minister Amit Shah personally called Resident Doctors Association (RDA) of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) & assured that any such issue of ostracisation will be taken seriously & action will be taken immediately," Dr S Rajkumar T, General Secretary, RDA AIIMS said.
Union Helth Minister Harsh Vardhan asked people to not panic and ask doctors and nurses to evict houses saying, "Deeply anguished to see reports pouring in from Delhi, Noida, Warangal, Chennai etc that doctors and paramedics are being ostracised in residential complexes & societies. Landlords are threatening to evict them fearing COVID-19 infection. Please don’t panic."
In order to provide correct information about the coronavirus, WhatsApp has partnered with the World Health Organisation and the Indian government to launch two chatbots. The MyGov Corona Help Desk chatbot for the Indian WhatsApp user has been developed by Jio Haptik Technologies Limited and powered by the Helath Ministry and Information Technology. READ MORE
Two persons from Gurgaon have tested positive for Coronavirus. The district has so far recorded 10 cases of COVID-19.
The Summer Olympics Games will be held next year in summer, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe confirmed. He commented during a briefing with reporters following a call with International Olympic Committee (IOC) head Thomas Bach, news agency Reuters said.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) has asked PM Narendra Modi and chief ministers of other states that a monthly subsistence allowance of Rs 20,000 be allocated for young or economically weaker advocates in view of the circumstances arising due to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
The assistance could come from “Centre Funds and or State Government Funds and or jointly by either providing for the same directly or through Advocate Welfare Fund of the respective State Bar Councils," the BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra in a letter.
The BCI also said that only 10 per cent of the advocates were in a position to survive during this crises and stated, “Many young, and or not financially well off needy Advocates are finding it exceedingly difficult to make ends meet. It is a question of keeping themselves and their families alive, by providing them with basic food and taking care of their medicinal and health needs. The families of many advocates have come to the stage of starvation and soon huge numbers will follow suit.”
In a press briefing, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said, "On the request of our Prime Minister we clapped for our doctors, nurses and others who are giving essential services. But now I am getting information that a landlord has forcefully evacuated a nurse tenant as she treats coronavirus patients."
"Some people are not allowing the pilots and air hostesses to enter their colonies. This is not right. These people are risking their lives for us and we are behaving in this way. We should change this mindset." (ANI)
The Union Health Ministry Monday said that 118 labs have been added that can test 12,000 samples in a day. Besides, 22 lab chains and 3 out of 15 kit manufactures have been tested and approved.
In a press briefing, the ministry said that they are developing a medicine called Hydrocholorquine but advised not to take this medicine without consulting a doctor. Children under the age of 15 and people above 60 should not take this medicine, the ministry said. They added that whenever they see results, they will make it available to the public.
The ministry stressed on the methods such as thermal screening at airports for at least three weeks. They also said social distancing can curb the effect of virus by 62% and urged the people to stay at home and practice social distancing.
Cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba on Tuesday asked state governments to immediately identify and earmark hospitals to deal with the coronavirus outbreak.
In a letter to chief secretaries of all the states, Mr Gauba also said it is absolutely essential that surveillance and contact tracing of all positive cases is taken up and no suspected or high risk person is left out.
"All states should immediately identify and earmark hospitals dedicated for management of COVID-19 cases and ensure that they are in a state of full readiness to deal with the situation in the event of a further spike in the number of confirmed cases," he said. (PTI)
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Tuesday said no new cases of the novel coronavirus were reported in the last 40 hours."We are going through difficult times; we have to help each other," he said.The CM said construction workers will be given Rs 5,000 by Delhi govt as their livelihood has been affected due to coronavirus outbreak."We have set up a five-member team of doctors to suggest plan to deal with situation if Delhi reaches stage 3 of coronavirus pandemic," he added.
Roads were much quieter than usual on Tuesday after Britain went into virtual lockdown to try to curb the spread of the coronavirus, but London Underground trains were crammed with people and streets were far from deserted.
Some workers were also still mingling close together after Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday evening ordered people to stay at home, said most shops must close and banned social gatherings.
The unprecedented peacetime restrictions, which will last at least three weeks, are intended to stop the state-run National Health Service (NHS) being overwhelmed after the number of deaths from the coronavirus in Britain rose to 335.But social media images showed London Underground railway trains were packed with commuters and one large retail chain suggested it wanted to stay open. (Reuters)
South Africa's coronavirus cases leapt again to 554 on Tuesday, the most of any country in Africa, as its 57 million people rushed to prepare for a lockdown that begins Thursday.
Across Africa, 43 of its 54 countries now have cases, with the total at 1,788. Thirteen countries have reported 58 deaths. South Africa has not recorded one.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday night announced the 21-day lockdown. Rwanda and Tunisia earlier announced lockdowns. (AP)
Senior Congress leader Gandhi issues a statement urging people to maintain social distancing and personal hygiene in order to tackle the new coronavirus disease.
US President Donald Trump has defended the Asian Americans, calling them “amazing people”, following the increasing attack on the community after his use of the term “Chinese virus” for the deadly coronavirus.
“It is very important that we totally protect our Asian-American community in the United States and all around the world,” Trump told reporters at a White House news conference.
“They (Asian Americans) are amazing people and the spreading of the virus is not their fault in any way, shape or form. They are working closely with us to get rid of it. We will prevail together. That is very important,” Trump said.
Last week, President Trump said that China is responsible for the spread of the novel coronavirus and called the COVID-19 as the “Chinese Virus”. Read more
There are just a handful of countries left with no recorded cases of COVID-19, but even those could be beause of unreported infections. Such is the scale of the coronavirus pandemic that started in China last December and has now gripped the entire world bringing everything to a standstill. Here we do a status check of the countries with the highest rates of COVID-19 infections and how those governments have been handling the outbreak.
The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to enforce to extned the lockdown to the entire state in order to combat the virus. Currently, a curfew is in effect in 17 districts of the state, which was imposed on March 23 and has been scheduled to tll March 25.
"All of UP to be locked down by Wednesday," said Additional Chief Secretary of Information Awanish Awasthi.
The districts currently under lockdown are Agra, Lucknow, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Moradabad, Varanasi, Lakhimpur Kheiri, Bareilly, Azamgarh, Kanpur, Meerut, Prayagraj, Aligarh, Gorakhpur, Saharanpur, Pilibhit, Jaunpur.
A day after announcing the state-wide curfew, Himachal Pradesh CM Jai Ram Thakur imposed the lockdown today. A lock-down is already in place in neighbouring Punjab, Chandigarh and parts of Haryana.
In its lockdown order, the government has restricted all interstate and intrastate movement of public and private vehicles and ordered the closure of all shops, commercial establishments, factories and godowns except those providing essential supplies and services such as groceries, vegetables, hospitals, chemists, petrol pumps, soap manufacturers, e-commerce and other units providing essential commodities. The government has asked people to stay at home and venture out only for basic purposes. Those who have returned from abroad in the last two weeks have been asked to observe a strict home quarantine.
Amid the lockdown, the Delhi Police has come forward to answer questions related to the current situation on Twitter from 5pm to 6 pm today. It has asked people to tweet their query with hashtag #LockdownQuery between 5 pm to 6 pm window.
In Jammu and Kashmir, two persons have been tested positive for the virus in Srinagar, spokesperson Rohit Kansal confirmed in a tweet. One of the the two has a travel histroy to a foreign country.
In a media briefing, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said for companies with a turnover of less than Rs 5 crore, no interest will be levied and no penalty or late fee will be put in case of late GST return filing. Whereas, for companies with a turnover of over Rs 5 crore, interest rate has been been reduced to 9 per cent and no penalty will be imposed or late fee be charged in case of late GST return filing.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a press conference said the Sab ka Vishwas indirect tax dispute redressal scheme has been extended to June 30 and no interest will be imposed on payments made till June 30.
Nirmala Sitharaman: The regulators, Reserve Bank, and Finance Ministry are all working together to keep monitoring the developments and volatility in the stock market. SEBI has come up with some set of guidelines and also stated its position
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said debit card holders who withdraw cash from ATMs can do it free of charge for the next three months. This applies to all banks' ATMs. Further, she said there shall not be any minimum balance requirement fee. Moreover, MoS Finance ANurag Thakur said, Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code default limit has been increased from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1 crore.
The world has been reeling under the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and its impact on the global economy. In India, though the outbreak happened comparatively later than China and Europe, the number of infected people has risen significantly in the past few days leading to lockdowns across most parts of the country. Read More
A video conference of senior health professionals of SAARC nations has been proposed on March 26 to exchange experiences of combating the spread of COVID-19, officials said on Monday. This will be a follow-up to the video-conference of SAARC leaders on March 15.
AT LEAST six top corporate leaders are said to have recommended to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the government should make payments to unorganised sector workers since they bear the brunt of the severe lockdown measures to arrest the spread of Covid-19 disease.N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons, who spoke first after the Prime Minister’s 15-minute opening remarks, called for a relaxation of the fiscal deficit target by at least one percentage point of GDP. Read More
The Tokyo Olympics which was scheduled to be held later this year will now take place in 2021, International Olympic Committee member Dick Pound said on Monday night. “On the basis of the information, the IOC has, the postponement has been decided,” Pound told in an exclusive interview to The USA today. Read More
NITI Aayog member Dr V K Paul, heading a panel to coordinate coronavirus efforts, said Monday that India has not started seeing community transmission as yet, and the strategy as of now was to guard against it and intensify containment measures. In an interview to The Indian Express, a day after the country observed Janata Curfew, Paul said, “Today, you can say, as of now we are preparing for Stage 3 and intensification of containment to the best possible extent.” Read More
Given the current situation in the country due to the coronavirus epidemic, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Tuesday announced that the deadlines of filing the Income Tax returns as well as the GST returns have been extended till June 30.