India coronavirus lockdown Highlights: First COVID-19-linked death reported in West Bengal, toll rises to 8

In view of the lockdown in the state due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the Bombay High Court on Monday made an appeal to lawyers and litigants not to file non-urgent matters as directed earlier, failing which exemplary costs will be imposed on them. After observing several non-urgent matters being moved and close to 200 praecipes forwarded for placing matters on Thursday, the court on Monday said despite earlier directions, which prescribed that only urgent matters will be taken up, some lawyers and petitioners were coming to court to mention non-urgent matters and cautioned that the court would impose up to Rs 50,000 on such litigants and lawyers henceforth. 

The Pune City Police on Monday issued orders prohibiting all vehicular traffic, except for essential and emergency services, from 6 pm on Monday till March 31. The order was issued after many people were observed on streets despite appeals to stay indoors. Pune is among the districts with highest COVID-19 positive cases in the country. The Pune City Police, which had imposed a curfew in the city from 9 pm on Sunday till 5 am on Monday, had further issued orders prohibiting gathering of five or more people, except for essential and emergency services. Read here

Twelve cases were registered in Ranchi on Monday for violating lockdown orders and unlawful assembly. While most of the cases were registered against sweet shops, pan, puja, caterers, tyre and repair shops among others, two were against "evening walkers".

Haryana Police Department Monday issued a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the lockdown in the state. Below is the set of FAQs.

Assam has announced a complete lockdown in the state from 6pm, March 24 till March 31. Grocery shops, pharmacies, petrol depot will remain open through this period. On Monday, Assam health minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma addressed a press conference in Guwahati announcing the lockdown. “Needless to say hospitals, fire brigade, electricity, public health engineering etc will remain open,” he told reporters. Cooking gas will also be available through the period. Read more

Karnataka CM B S Yediyurappa orders lockdown across the entire state. Earlier, the orders was issued only for 9 districts. “After assessing the situation of #covid_19, we have decided to lockdown not just 9 districts but the whole state of Karnataka starting tomorrow till March 31st. I request all citizens to co operate and please stay indoors,” he tweeted.

Jammu and Kashmir High Court today decided to create a dedicated fund to combat coronavirus pandemic and provide relief to Covid-19 victims.

In a full court meeting, the High Court decided that the Chief Justice and all the judges of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court shall make a contribution of Rs 25,000 each. While as all the District Judges of J&K and Ladakh shall contribute Rs 15,000 each.

It was further decided that all Sub-Judges /Civil Judges (Senior Division) and Munsiffs/Civil Judges (Junior Division) shall contribute Rs 10,000 and Rs. 7500 each respectively.

The meeting also decided that all the gazetted officers of the High Court staff and subordinate courts may contribute Rs.5000 whereas all the non-gazetted staff of the High Court and subordinate Courts may contribute one day’s salary. The contributions shall go a long way in tackling the rapidly spreading contagious disease.

A 55-year-old man, who was admitted to a private hospital in Kolkata and had tested positive for COVID-19, died on Monday afternoon. This is the first case of conoravirus-linked death in West Bengal.

The resident of Dumdum, who died of cardiac arrest, was admitted to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital with acute respiratory distress syndrome and was put on ventilator. His samples were sent to NICED and SSKM hospital, one of which came positive. Later, fresh samples were sent to SSKM and NICED again and results of both came positive on March 21. According to the sources in the private hospital, family members stated that he had no history of foreign travel. Read more...

To ensure proper implementation of Section 144 of CrPC in the national capital, Commissioner of Police, Delhi, has asked all the people, moving for essential goods and services, to get the curfew passes from their concerned districts.

#JUSTIN: To ensure proper implementation of section 144 CrPC in Delhi, @CPDelhi has asked all the people, moving for essential goods and services, to get the curfew passes from their concerned districts. @IndianExpress, @ieDelhi pic.twitter.com/iPqFOTxqgd

— Mahender Singh (@mahendermanral) March 23, 2020

V P Singh Badnore, Governor of Punjab-cum-Administrator, UT, Chandigarh has decided to impose curfew in Chandigarh starting w.e.f. midnight of Monday i.e 00:00 Hrs 24th March, 2020 till further orders. With the imposition of curfew all the residents will be required to stay Indoors. The DGP, has been given strict directions to enforce the curfew without any relaxation whatsoever.

Manoj Parida, IAS, Adviser, has stated the individuals engaged in Essential Services including Police, Medical etc. will only be allowed curfew passes. Employees of Punjab, Haryana and central government will request for passes through their Chief Secretaries only. The deputy commissioner, Chandigarh will decide about the curfew passes. Moreover, the relaxation in curfew hours will be given for purchase of essential items in due course. The detailed orders are being issued by the deputy commissioner, UT, Chandigarh.

Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee writes to PM Modi to stop flights coming to Bengal

#NewsAlert Can confirm that West Bengal CM has written to PM to issue instructions to stop all flights coming into #Bengal with immediate effect. State govt has taken various measures to counter spread of #Covid19India But seriously concerned that GOI still allowing flights

— Citizen Derek | ?????? ????? (@derekobrienmp) March 23, 2020

The Government of Meghalaya has announced relief measures for building and construction workers in the state in light of COVID-19. A notice signed by the Principal Secretary, DP Wahlang, has said that "building and other construction workers who are registered with the labour commissioner" can avail Rs 1,000 per worker per week on account of shutdown of commercial operations and business establishments in Meghalaya. The order is applicable till March 29, and will be further reviewed on March 20.

Bars across state will be shut, but Govt refuses to close down 260+ retail outlets of liquor monopoly BEVCO which witnessed heavy crowds today. CM Pinarayi Vijayan says doing so may lead to "social consequences".

Army issues fresh notification stating enhanced measures to combat COVID-19.

The measures to be taken in all military establishments/cantonments/formations/units in the 82 districts under lockdown are:

# All tasks related to response to COVID-19 should continue without hindrance.

# Restricted movements in Cantonments and military stations.

# Personnel engaged in essential services permitted to function (Medical establishments, fire, electricity/ water supply, communication, post offices and sanitation services).

# Home delivery of grocery/ essential items catering to the requirements of the cantonments.

# Social distancing while performing all tasks.

# Additional districts/ extension of lockdown time frame by state governments will be adhered to as when promulgated.

# All station CSDs to be closed forthwith.

Measures at IHQ of MoD(Army)/ (Army HQ)

# Only bare essential sections/ offices to function on a daily basis. Work from home to be implemented.

# Conferences and seminars postponed. Routine meetings and movements to be restricted.

# Personnel attending office will adhere to staggered timings.

In Kerala, banks will operate only till 2 pm. Shops can operate only between 7 am and 5 pm every day. In Kasaragod, the worst-affected district, shops to open between 11 am and 5 pm. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan Monday has announced state-wide lock-down till March 31

An auto makes announcement of curfew at Bharat Nagar Road in Punjab Ludhiana. (Express Photo by Gurmeet Singh)

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan Monday announced state-wide lock-down till March 31, closing borders to other states and suspending public transport. Number of active Covid-19 cases in state rises to 92 after 28 new positive cases were reported today.

In a bid to step up measures to complement the state’s pursuit in containing COVID-19 related issues, the Karnataka government on Monday decided to procure 1,000 ventilators, 10 lakh masks, and 5 lakh Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Health Minister B Sriramulu confirmed the decision after top officials of the health department held a video conference with private companies. “The Health Ministry is working tirelessly to curtail the Covid-19 breakout. I humbly request the public to strictly follow the instructions passed on by the Health Ministry,” Sriramulu said. Read more

Assam will lock down from 6 pm, March 24 to 31. Pharmacy, petrol pump and grocery store will however remain open. Also, essential govt services will be on. "People have to stay indoors," said Assam health minster HB Sarma.

Punjab has recorded 23 cases till now with two new cases reported today.

Courts to remain shut in Punjab till curfew ends

Army announces reduced attendance at headquarters. Work from home implemented in certain areas. Limited movement in districts where complete lockdown imposed.

"Not more than five people can come together," says Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray. The borders of each districts will be sealed, says Thackeray. Private vehicles will be allowed only for the emergencies. Private vehicles and taxi will allowed with driver and two people. Autorickshaw will be allowed with driver and one person, says Thackeray.

In order to promote social distancing and check the spread of coronavirus, the Labour and Employment department of Gujarat government Monday asked citizens to grant voluntary leaves to domestic helps and other domestic workers until March 31.

“Domestic helps, maids, cooks, and people engaged in housekeeping activities be granted voluntary leave until March 31. We also appeal that they be paid their wages in full for this period,” a circular by the Labour Department said. The workers should be encouraged to stay indoors in their own homes and observe proper hygiene. Read more

On day1 of its lockdown on Monday, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday sealed its borders with Punjab and Himachal Pradesh states on one hand and with the UT of Ladakh on the other. It has also restricted inter-district movement of vehicles within the Union Territory "as per requirement.

Mania Devi and her family of 8 stranded at Hatia Railway Station along with luggage. They are Bihar bound. Expects that the government do something for them. Willing to pay money to private operators, but no one to their rescue.

Mania Devi and her family of 8 stranded at Hatia Railway Station along with luggage. They are Bihar bound. Expects that the government do something for them. Willing to pay money to private operators, but no one to their rescue. @IndianExpress @HemantSorenJMM Pls hear: pic.twitter.com/uvs7yjtCff

— Abhishek Angad (@abhishekangad) March 23, 2020

The Aurangabad police have booked a colleague for flouting prohibitory orders and holding the marriage function of his daughter on Sunday evening, an official said.

The marriage function took place at a lawn on the border of Harsul-Phulambri police station limits while Janta curfew was in force across the country, Inspector Samratsingh Rajput said.

"We have lodged a case under section 188 of IPC against the kin of the bride, who is the daughter of a police official, and groom. We are in the process of identifying the accused," he added. (PTI) 

Home secretary told DGPs to take legal actions against curfew violators, said Luv Agarwal, joint secretary of Home and Family Welfare.

Home secy in meeting with DGPs has asked for legal action against violators: Lav Agarwal JS @MoHFW_INDIA #Covid_19india #coronavirusinindia @IndianExpress

— abantika ghosh (@abantika77) March 23, 2020

All domestic commercial flights will remain suspended from Tuesday midnight in view of restricting the spread of coronavirus.

Operations of domestic commercial flights will cease from midnight of March 24 @IndianExpress #Covid_19india #coronaupdatesindia

— abantika ghosh (@abantika77) March 23, 2020

Blood banks in Maharashtra are scrambling for donors as the coronavirus pandemic prompts people to stay at home, putting a squeeze on the state’s blood supply.

According to Maharashtra’s Public Health Minister Rajesh Tope, the state’s blood banks now have reserves that can hold up for just 10-15 days. On Monday, Tope urged healthy citizens to step out to donate in order to maintain the blood supplies.

While donor blood is not used to treat people with COVID 19, the demand for blood remains for routine surgeries, cancer patients, and trauma procedures, and public health care officials are worried that their supplies won’t hold up.

Arun Thorat, Assistant Director, State Blood Transfusion Council, said “the state’s blood banks presently have about 38000-40000 units of blood. Maharashtra’s daily requirement of blood is around 4500-5000 units.” On Monday, Tope appealed to people to come out and donate in slot manners and donor camp organisers to hold donation camps. “Let’s hold blood donations camps while observing social distance recommendations. There is no need for mega camps, but small camps can be undertaken at the district and the taluka level. Donors can donate blood in slots of five ten at a time,” said Tope. Alternatively, people can visit nearest blood banks to donate.

First Private lab approved for COVID-19 testing in Delhi: Lal Path Labs, Block -E, Sector 18, Rohini, Delhi.

After the fruit traders at Vashi wholesale market in Navi Mumbai decided to shut their businesses till March 31, the fruit and vegetable (including onion and potato) sellers of Pune wholesale market decided to follow suit. In a joint statement, the commission agents and traders association of Pune said they will suspend their operations from Wednesday till March 31.

The statement said this decision was taken in view of the rapid spread of coronavirus (COVI-19) pandemic in the state. Acsording to the statement, around 10,000-15,000 people come to the Pune market at a single time. This increases the risk of spreading the infection.

The state government has assured that the functioning of these markets will go unhampered as they come under essential commodities.

Considering the situation prevailing in Delhi due to coronavirus threat and in view of the lockdown announced by the Delhi government till March 31, the Delhi High Court Monday suspended its functioning as well as of district courts till April 4.

The high court and the trial courts in the Delhi were functioning under restriction till date, since March 16. The Bar Associations of the high court and district courts urged for complete closure of the courts, in supersessions of earlier notifications in this regard.

Following which, the Delhi High Court on its administration side on Monday issued a fresh office order, also stating that “in case any fresh matter of extreme urgecy” is required to be listed for hearing in the HC, the same has to be communicated telephonically to the judicial officer concerned.

ICMR has approved the use of the drug Hydroxychloroquine for prophylaxis of COVID-19 but only for high risk populations in India.

After ?@realDonaldTrump? prescription ?@ICMRDELHI? prescribes #Hydroxychloroquine for prophylaxis #Covid_19india ?@IndianExpress? #coronaupdatesindia pic.twitter.com/atvKRQ0I6b

— abantika ghosh (@abantika77) March 23, 2020

In view of the rising coronavirus cases, the Delhi government has decided to implement the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, State Finance Minister Manish Sisodia announced in the assembly today.

A 25-year-old woman from Manipur has alleged that a man misbehaved with her in North-West Delhi’s Mukherjee Nagar area on Sunday night. The woman has alleged that when she objected, he spat on her and shouted Corona before escaping in his two-wheeler. DCP (northwest) Vijayanta Arya said they have registered an FIR and trying to identify the accused. According to police, the incident came to light on Sunday night when the woman approached the police, informing that she was going to her home in Vijaynagar after buying grocery from the local market. “She has stated in her complaint that she was passing through a dark stretch when a man, appeared to be in his early 50’s, passed lewd comments on her. When she objected, he spat on her and managed to escape after shouting Corona,” a senior police officer said.

In Chennai, the Municipal Corporation has pasted a notice outside the houses of those who are recommended to stay in home quarantine.

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPc to be imposed in Tamil Nadu from 6 pm tomorrow, (March 24th) till March 31, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami announced. All district borders will be sealed, only essential services to be maintained during the period.

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPc to be imposed in Tamil Nadu from 6 pm tomorrow, (March 24th) till March 31st, CM announced. All district borders will be sealed, only essential services to be maintained during the period @IndianExpress

— Arun Janardhanan (@arunjei) March 23, 2020

With the number of positive novel coronavirus cases (COVID-19) in the state rising to seven on Sunday, the Trinamool Congress government decided to impose lockdown in several cities, towns and districts, including Capital Kolkata and Jalpaiguri, from Monday 5 pm to March 27. Some of the other places where these strict curbs will be imposed are: towns such as Darjeeling, Siliguri, Cooch Behar, and Kalimpong, municipal towns in North 24 Parganas district, and districts such as Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia, Birbhum, Howrah, and Hooghly. In an advisory in the evening, the Centre had asked the state to impose lockdown only in Kolkata and North 24 Parganas districts. State government officials said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took the decision to extend the lockdown to other areas since she considers this week an importan

Curfew will also be imposed in Puducherry from 9 pm on Monday till March 31 to contain the spread of novel coronavirus, the government said. The Union Territory has reported one positive case so far.

Meanwhile, as the Parliament session resumed at 2 pm, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman passed the Finance Bill, 2020, in the Lok Sabha. Follow Parliament LIVE updates here.

Over 35 districts in Madhya Pradesh have so far declared lockdown in view of the growing threat of coronavirus in the state. Six people in the state have tested positive for the coronavirus so far - one from Bhopal and five from Jabalpur. The lockdown period in districts varies from 72 hours to April 3, official sources said. State capital Bhopal, Tikamgarh, Dindori, Raisen, Rajgarh, Chhatarpur, Datia, Morena, Hoshangabad, Umaria and Anooppur will remain under lockdown till March 31, while Narsinghpur will remain so till April 3. Besides, Sehore, Shajapur, Agar Malwa, Rewa, Shivpuri, Katni, Gwalior and Bhind will be locked down till March 24, Shahdol, Alirajpur till March 23, Dewas, Neemuch, Singrauli, Guna, Ratlam, Mandla, Mandsaur, Balaghat, Seoni, Ujjain, Sheopur, Jhabua, Vidisha till March 25, Jabalpur till March 26. Betul and Chhindwara will be under lockdown till further orders, the sources said. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC have also been imposed in all these districts, they said.

The iconic Kapaleeswarar Temple also remained closed for public entry in Chennai. (Express photo)

Both the Income Tax Employees Federation and the Principal Chief Commissioner of Mumbai, Satish Kumar Gupta, today appealed to CBDT to grant more time for processing of tax returns, Vivad se Vishwas scheme among others, in the wake of COVID 19 outbreak and lockdown.

Both the Income Tax Employees Federation and the Principal Chief Commissioner of Mumbai, Satish Kumar Gupta appeal to CBDT to grant more time for processing of tax returns, Vivad se Vishwas scheme among others, in the wake of COVID 19 outbreak & lockdown @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/LmsR41Tt0r

— Khushboo Narayan (@khushboo_n) March 23, 2020

PM Modi will today hold a video conference with India Inc leaders across the country at 4 pm. 

Prime Minister @narendramodi to hold a video conference with India Inc leaders across the country at 4PM today @IndianExpress

— Sandeep Singh (@Tweetsandeep) March 23, 2020

PM Modi today thanked Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani for contributing one million dollars to the coronavirus emergency fund.

Thank you Afghanistan, for contributing $ 1 Million to the COVID-19 Emergency Fund in solidarity with our South Asian neighborhood. Tashakkur President @ashrafghani.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 23, 2020

The OPD department at AIIMS in New Delhi has decided to shut down operations till further notice.

After reports of lockdown instructions not being followed by the public emerged, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today ordered the imposition of a curfew across the state amid the coronavirus outbreak with immediate effect. A spokesperson of the government said, “After reviewing the situation with Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh and DGP Dinkar Gupta, the CM has announced full curfew with no relaxations.”

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to issue instructions to stop all flights coming into the state with immediate effect. The state government has taken various measures to counter the spread of coronavirus which has infected seven persons so far.

West Bengal CM has written to PM to issue instructions to stop all flights coming into #Bengal with immediate effect. State government has taken various measures to counter spread of #Covid19India ?@IndianExpress? pic.twitter.com/QuJYLqddfH

— abantika ghosh (@abantika77) March 23, 2020

PM Modi today held a press meet via video-conferencing.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with media heads through video conferencing, over #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/sVqI2nmU3z

— ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2020

Those found violating the lockdown orders is likely to face six months of jail or Rs 1,000 as a penalty under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code. 

The Delhi-Noida border was on Monday sealed and only emergency vehicles were allowed to enter on either sides. (Express photo/Prem Nath Pandey)

In Ludhiana, due to overcrowding at markets, police have announced that shops will be open from 5 am to 11 am daily till March 31.

At least 266 people came in contact with singer Kanika Kapoor, who was tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and the process of tracing her contacts was complete, said the State Health Department on Sunday. More than 60 samples had been tested and all of them were negative, said an official with the department, adding that more samples would be taken if any of the contacts showed coronavirus symptoms. Some of the contacts who have been tested include former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje, her MP-son Dushyant Singh, Uttar Pradesh Minister of Medical Health & Family Welfare Jai Pratap Singh, former Union minister Jatin Prasad and his wife Neha.

While some restaurants/food joints in Bengaluru today strictly followed the partial lockdown measures and provided only parcel services, some witnessing scores of people coming together at the same time. (Express photo)

Arunachal Pradesh will also impose a lockdown from 5 pm today.

Arunachal Pradesh lockdown (conditions applied) from 5pm today.

This is after Nagaland and Mizoram implemented same measures.

Assam remains shut as on Monday — stricter measures may follow.

+ve #COVID19outbreak cases 0 in NE but all precautions being taken. @IndianExpress

— Abhishek Saha (@saha_abhi1990) March 23, 2020

The Union Territory will go into lockdown from 8 pm on Sunday until March 31. Districts in J&K will also restrict assemblies at public places to “not more than three persons”. And order issued on Sunday notes that “all goods vehicles including those carrying essential items shall be allowed to ply during the shutdown period with proper permits/passes issued by the district administration who will make necessary arrangements for this purpose.” Districts have also been urged to make appropriate arrangements for persons engaged in providing essential services.

A high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is underway in state capital Thiruvananthapuram to discuss the possibility of placing ten districts under complete lockdown in compliance with an advisory by the Centre. Kerala, with 64 active cases, has the second-highest number of Covid-19 positive patients in the country. In just three days, the state has reported 39 cases, raising fears among the public and the medical community. An advisory was sent by the Centre Sunday to chief secretaries of states asking to impose complete lock-down on 75 districts in the country, which have reported Covid-19 cases, in a bid to suspend movement of the public and break the chain of community transmission. Among the districts are ten in the state - Kasaragod, Kannur, Malappuram, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Idukki, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Thiruvananthapuram. The Kerala chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has gone a step ahead, advising the government to impose a state-wide lockdown. At present, only one district, Kasaragod in the north, which has reported 19 out of the 64 cases, has been shut down with only essential services operating. Additionally, Section 144 has been imposed in Kozhikode district, banning the assembly of more than five persons.

Section 144 of CrPC will come into force in several cities in Maharashtra from Monday and remain in effect till March 31. On Sunday, one more COVID-19 patient died in the state. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray also suspended the services of state transport and private buses, Buses within cities will continue to ply so that people involved in essential services can get to work. Appreciating the people’s response to Janata Curfew, Thackeray said, “People should maintain this until tomorrow morning and should not venture out of homes after 9 pm if not essential. From tomorrow morning, I have been left with no option but to impose Section 144 in all urban areas across the state.” “I want to see the determination and restraint shown today during Janata curfew till March 31. If required, we will need to extend the period,” he said.