Doctors at Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital in East Delhi (Express photo by Prem Nath Pandey)
The Union health ministry in an advisory has suggested hospitals located in and around COVID-19 containment zones to treat all patients coming to them as suspected cases of coronavirus infection. The total number of cases has crossed 20,000 as of April 22.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to interact with all Chief Ministers via video conference on April 27 to take stock of the Covid-19 situation in the country, according to sources. As per the latest updates from the Health Ministry, the number of cases has crossed the 20,000 mark while the death toll increased to 652.
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Union minister Prakash Javadekar Wednesday said the Centre will not tolerate attacks on the healthcare workers in the country and has brought an ordinance to make it a punishable offence. Javadekar said the government will amend the Epidemics Diseases Act, 1897 to make the attacks on healthcare workers a cognisable and non-bailable offence, under which a violator may be awarded with a jail term of three months to seven years with a fine of Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakh.
IN PICS | Visuals from Day 29 of India’s lockdown
Earlier in the day, Home Minister Amit Shah interacted with doctors from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) via video-conference, and assured them of their safety. The IMA, which had planned a candle-light vigil at 9 pm today to urge the government to enact a law against healthcare violence, withdrew the protest after Shah said the government was with them. (Read the top COVID-19 news from India)
The SAARC countries have recorded much lower infection rates in the region compared to the worst affected countries.
The serological test screens the plasma for antibodies that the body develops against the virus.
In its fight against coronavirus, Punjab has started a door-to-door drive in hotspots and few other districts to check the residents with suspicious symptoms. (Express photo/Jaipal Singh)
Two pet cats in New York state have tested positive for the coronavirus, marking the first cases in companion animals in the United States, federal officials said Wednesday.
The cats, which had mild respiratory illnesses and are expected to recover, are thought to have contracted the virus from people in their households or neighborhoods, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
The finding, which comes after positive tests in seven tigers and lions at the Bronx Zoo, add to a small number of confirmed cases of the virus in animals worldwide. U.S. authorities say that while it appears some animals can get the virus from people, there's no indication the animals are transmitting it to human beings.(AP)
Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said the Sarusajai Quarantine Facility would be converted to a temporary jail if those
undergoing quarantine there do not cooperate with the authorities.
Sarma interacted on Wednesday at the centre with a section of quarantined persons from Nalbari who had complained on social media about the alleged lack of facilities and demanded that they be allowed to go home. The minister told reporters here that their complaints would be looked into but they will not be allowed to go unless the doctors give them the clearance certificate.
"If anybody attempts to leave without the doctors clearance, then we will be forced to declare the Quarantine facility into a temporary jail and they will be kept here for three months under non-bailable sections", he said.
The Assam government will allow movement of people stranded in different parts of the state due to the lockdown for three days from April 25 in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Union home ministry, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday.
This is not a "blanket permission but will be conditional, and people can avail this only with the prior approval of the deputy commissioners", Sarma told a press conference here. These movements will be only for home-bound and office-bound people, as many state government offices have reopened, he said.
Six deaths were reported in Pune -- four at Sassoon General Hospital, one at Symbiosis Hospital and one at YCM Hospital – by Wednesday evening, taking the toll in Pune to 60.
The Union health ministry in an advisory has suggested hospitals located in and around COVID-19 containment zones to treat all patients coming to them as suspected cases of coronavirus infection until proven otherwise and exercise standard care.
According to a ministry official, patients coming from containment areas should be tested for infection even if they show any symptoms of COVID-19. A COVID-19 case with mild or asymptomatic presentation may go undetected and inadvertently transmit the infection to other patients and healthcare workers, putting these individuals at risk of contracting disease and compromise the functionality of the healthcare facility, the ministry said while issuing guidelines to be followed on detection of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case in a non-COVID health facility.
Philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and his government’s “proactive measures” such as lockdown and expansion of focused testing in combating the COVID-19 pandemic in India.
According to officials, Gates, in a letter to Modi, said he was glad that the Indian government is fully utilizing its exceptional digital capabilities in its COVID-19 response and has launched the ‘Aarogya Setu’ digital app for coronavirus tracking, contact tracing, and to connect people to health services.
“We commend your leadership and the proactive measures you and your government have taken to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 infection rate in India,” Gates was quoted as saying in the letter.
The annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath shrine in South Kashmir may not take place this year in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. Expressing its apprehensions, the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, at a meeting chaired by the UT’s Lt Governor G C Murmu in Jammu Wednesday, said that “as on date, it may not be possible to organise the yatra 2020”, according to an official release.
“Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic situation being dynamic, appropriate decision on organising the yatra can be taken on review of the situation in coming furture,” it added.
The Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) sent to West Bengal to take stock of the Covid-19 situation has asked for a presentation on the state’s preparedness in tackling the pandemic. It has also demanded cooperation from the state government for visits to affected areas, hospitals, markets and quarantine facilities in the state.
In a letter addressed to Chief Secretary of the state Rajiv Sinha Wednesday, the IMCT has requested a detailed presentation by the health department detailing if the level of testing in the state is adequate, and whether the testing facilities available there are being used in full. The letter also seeks to know the protocol adopted for testing and the level at which conduct of a Covid-19 test is approved. Read more here
India and Ireland will work together to further strengthen their partnership in health, and science and technology to jointly address the challenges of the post-COVID world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday. "Discussed COVID-19 pandemic with Ireland''s PM, Mr. @LeoVaradkar. India and Ireland share similar approaches on many global issues," Modi tweeted. He said the two countries will work together to further strengthen “our partnership in health, science and technology, to jointly address challenges of the post-COVID world”.
An official statement later said Modi and Prime Minister Leo Varadkar discussed the state of the COVID-19 pandemic and the steps being taken by the two countries to control its health and economic impact. Varadkar appreciated the role being played by Indian-origin doctors and nurses in fighting the infection in Ireland.
Prime Minister Modi thanked PM Varadkar for the care and support being extended to the Indian citizens present in Ireland, and promised reciprocal treatment for Irish citizens in India. The two leaders agreed that India and Ireland can leverage their strengths in the pharmaceutical and medical fields to contribute to the global fight against the pandemic. They also deliberated on the potential for strengthening India''s cooperation with Ireland, as well as with the European Union, in the post-COVID context. The leaders agreed to remain in touch and consult each other on the evolving dimensions of the crisis, the statement said.
Even as the nationwide lockdown nears a month, it has not impacted weather and forecasting services in India, yet. However, the number of observations of some key weather parameters have been scaled down since April 1.
This was revealed by M Rajeevan, secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), during his webcast address on the occasion of 50th Earth Day celebrations organised by CSIR – National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) on Wednesday. He was speaking on ‘Earth’s response to COVID-19 pandemic’.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD), National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) are the major institutions under MoES tasked with bringing out weather forecasts for India. These institutions collate weather data from its dense network within the country, besides those from oceans and global weather observatories.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address village panchayats across the country on Friday to mark the National Panchayati Raj Day.
Due to coronavirus-induced lockdown, he will interact with the participants through video-conference, according to an official issued on Wednesday.
To mark the occasion, the prime minister will launch a unified e-GramSwaraj portal and a mobile app.
The unified portal is a new initiative of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj to provide the village panchayats with a single interface to prepare and implement their gram panchayat development plan (GPDP).
PM Modi will also launch the Swamitva Scheme on the occasion, the statement said. The scheme provides for an integrated property validation solution for rural India. (PTI)
Union Minister of State in the PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh, on Wednesday cautioned against return of people to their native places from elsewhere the country without following the prescribed guidelines.
"We cannot take any risk in haste," he said, adding that there is an inference to be drawn from Kathua district which was so far Corona free inspite of huge influx of people from both sides after the declaration of lockdown. However, it suddenly reported a Corona positive case on Tuesday evening when a person working in Maharashtra chose to return to his village in Hiranagar without following the prescribed guidelines, he added.
In a one-and-half hour long video conference interaction with elected councilors of urban local bodies across the Jammu and Kashmir, he said that with some relaxation having been gradually made despite lockdown, the major challenge going to be now is the return movement of people from other parts of the country to their native places in Jammu and Kashmir. Pointing out that he has been receiving numerous requests from students from J&K who are residing in different parts of the country as well as their parents back home, Singh elicited cooperation of the public representatives especially local body representatives in explaining the people that movement and return of those stuck up elsewhere the country can happen only in small groups and in a very strategized and discreet manner.
"All of us are keen that people held up in different places should unite with their families," he said. Appealing people for cooperation in this regard, he said that adequate arrangements are being made to provide all requirements to these people in whichever part of the counry they are residing and the local district authorities there establish contact with them soon after an information is received about their problems.
A driver in police escort car of Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The driver was posted at Athawale’s residence at Bandra in Mumbai.
The driver was admitted to a state-run hospital and is currently quarantined at Panvel. He had reportedly shown COVID-19 symptoms, after which he was sent to the hospital for testing. Athawale, who is the Minister of State for Social Justice, is in Mumbai at present since March 24 lockdown.
Maharashtra Housing Minister Jitendra Awhad, who had quarantined himself after some of his security staff tested positive for coronavirus, on Tuesday got admitted in a private hospital in neighbouring Thane city as a precautionary measure. Read more
Centre's Inter-Ministerial team asks for presentation on state of COVID-19 outbreak and containment from West Bengal. Demands cooperation for being taken to affected areas, hospitals, markets and quarantine facilities.
The coronavirus pandemic is stretching much of the world's governmental capacity and terrorists are likely to exploit the situation including by fostering communal tension, Australian High Commissioner-designate Barry O'Farrell said on Wednesday.
In an address at the National Defence College through video-conference, O'Farrell also said India may be one of the most successful developing countries in managing the pandemic and lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's global outreach to deal with it.
He said Modi is also one of the leading voices shaping the G20 into a body instrumental in leading the world into post-COVID-19 recovery, and was an early voice advocating for reforms to the World Health Organisation.
"We've seen some remarkable leadership from India since this crisis began. The world is facing an unprecedented health challenge for which no government has a perfect answer," O'Farrell said.
It's laudable not just that the Indian government acted so quickly to stem the virus's spread, but also that it continues working to mitigate the lockdown's impact on India's most vulnerable. It's an enormous challenge for the world's most populous nation," he added. (PTI)
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates writes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi: "We commend your leadership and the proactive measures you and your government have taken to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 infection rate in India, such as adopting a national lockdown, expanding focused testing to identify hotspots for isolation, quarantining, and care, and significantly increasing health expenditures to strengthen the health system response and promote R&D and digital innovation."
"I’m glad your government is fully utilizing its exceptional digital capabilities in its COVID-19 response and has launched the Aarogya Setu digital app for coronavirus tracking, contact tracing, and to connect people to health services," he added.
Gates also said he is grateful to see that PM Modi is seeking to balance public health imperatives with the need to ensure adequate social protection for all Indians. (ANI)
The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday handed over a cheque of Rs 1 crore to the Registrar General of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Jawad Ahmad, as financial relief to lawyers fraternity across the Union Territory.
Pointing out that president of the J&K High Court Bar Association Abhinav Sharma and Bipul Pathak, Principal Secretary to the Lt Governor were also present on the occasion, an official release here said. "The J&K government has become the first in the country to extend financial relief to financially distress, young advocates whose livelihoods have been severely hit due to ongoing coronavirus lockdown imposed since March 24 and later extended till May 3."
“This step of the Government is in continuation of the relief measures announced for various sections of the society including registered Building Construction Workers, MGNREGA Job Card holders, and beneficiaries of various pension schemes, etc.,” it added.
Amid the Coronavirus outbreak, spitting and urinating are now "strictly prohibited" in Gurgaon, with the MCG Commissioner today issuing a public notice to this effect, and warning that a fine of Rs 1000 will be imposed on anyone "violating the directive".
After his recovery, a Tablighi Jamaat follower requesting his counterparts to come forward and get themselves tested. He has been discharged from Ludhiana Civil Hospital.
A lorry driver, primary contact of a COVID-19 patient in Palakkad, brought a load of watermelons to the market here, triggering a scare in the district which has been declared green zone, prompting health officials to trace and shift him to an isolation facility.
The driver, who brought the load from Tamil Nadu, left for Palakkad after unloading the watermelons and was traced in Ernakulam past midnight on Tuesday, officials said.
He was shifted to an isolation facility at the General Hospital in Palakkad, after samples were collected from him for COVID-19 testing, they said adding 17 others who handled the watermelons load the market here have been advised home quarantine.
The man had a history of travelling with his co-driver from Palakkad who tested positive for coronavirus on Tuesday, following which officials started the contact tracing. (PTI)
Facing a surge in demand fot face masks amidst the COVID19 pandemic, over 250 women from various villages in Vadodara came together to prepare face masks. The masks have been prepared by 266 women belonging to 25 different villages under the guidance of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). A total of 8220 metres of cloth has been used for the same. These masks will be now be distributed amongst the common public in the city.
16 women from 9 SHGs from Dabhoi, 62 women from 21 SHGs from Karjan, 80 women from 25 SHGs from Padra, 24 women from 12 SHGs from Savli, 47 women from 9 SHGs from Vadodara taluka and 37 women from 8 SHGs from Waghodia had come together to extend their craft in the fight against the pandemic.
Earlier, family members of cops deputed in the city had also taken up the task to make face masks at the city police headquarters in Pratapnagar area of Vadodara. Around 15 members of their families get together everyday to make at least 500 masks which are handed over to the police department for use and distribution.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to interact with all Chief Ministers via video conference on Monday to take a stock of the Covid-19 situation in the country. As per the latest updates from the Health Ministry, the number of cases has crossed the 20,000 mark while the death toll increased to 652.
Kerala reported 11 new cases today. Among these, seven are from Kannur, two are from Kozhikode, one case each from Kottayam and Malappuram. A total of 437 Covid-19 cases have been reported in the state so far, out of which 127 are active.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 is the Centre's commitment to protect each and every healthcare worker who is bravely battling COVID-19 on the frontline. He also said there can be no compromise on their safety.
WHO says smoking can 'increase chances of getting Covid-19'.
The Maharashtra government on Wednesday refuted a report circulating on social media that employers or organisations could face action if employees contract coronavirus.
A WhatsApp forward that was circulating claimed that a First Information Report (FIR) will be filed against the employer if workers/employees catch virus, the statement said.
"There was nomeeting for taking such a decision. The government is not even considering such a proposal. Prima facie it looks like the forward pertains to a meeting of industrial establishments in another state," the statement said. The if someone contracts coronavirus infection, the government will ensure that the person is treated, it added. (PTI)
As of 5 pm on 22th April, a total of 427 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in Karnataka, including 17 deaths and 131 cured cases. Nine new cases have been confirmed in the last 24 hours.
Jammu and Kashmir government spokesperson Rohit kansal: "27 new cases reported today, all from Kashmir Division. Total cases now 407 of which Jammu has 56 and Kashmir 351."
West Benagl Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee: "Centre lectures Bengal on Covid-19 preparedness, sends teams, but doesn't provide proper testing kits."
"Canards being spread that only a few are getting tested in Bengal for COVID-19," she added. (PTI)
After Home Minister Amit Shah's assurance to doctors that their security will be ensured, MHA writes to all States to take strict action against those who attack doctors.
Punjab’s first Covid-19 hotspot district Nawanshahr on Wednesday formally cured all infected patients after the result of the last novel coronavirus patient—a 16-year-old from Banga subdivision—came negative.
As many as 18 patients have been cured and one death was reported from Nawanshahr (Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar) district. It has been almost a month (March 26) since the last positive case was reported from the district. The age of patients varies from a two-year-old to a 78-year-old man.
All patients were given treatment at the isolation ward of the district’s 100-bedded civil hospital, which had no ventilator over the past two weeks, none of them needed ventilator care. At present, two ventilators have been placed there. Read more
In a brazen violation of lockdown guidelines, a lawmaker in Andhra Pradesh attended the inauguration of a borewell with scores of people showering flower petals at the feet.
A video of the incident showed women and children lined up on either side of the road to welcome YSRCP MLA RK Roja. The Puttu legislator was criticised by the Opposition TDP as it went viral on social media. Watch the video here
Mosques in Faridabad will remain completely closed during Ramzan, keeping the nationwide lockdown imposed due to the COVID-19 outbreak in mind, the district's Deputy Commissioner has said today. He has asked people to offer Namaz in their homes.
With industries expressing fear that they may prosecuted if anyone in their premises tests positive for COVID-19, MHA says its guidelines misinterpreted. "Penalties under DM Act, 2005 applicable if offence occurs with consent, cognisance or negligence of employer".
Armed with 'zero transmission' target against COVID-19 coupled with a proactive approach and multi-pronged strategy, Odisha seems to have slowed down the coronavirus spread, but the state government says it is ready for a long battle against the menace.
Odisha drew appreciation from the Centre for being among the top two states in containing and combating the COVID-19 pandemic efficiently.
Senior officials of the state, however, say there is no room for complacency and they must remain in a state of preparedness for months to come.
According to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare data between April 12 and 18, Odisha and Kerala have the best- performing doubling rates of positive COVID-19 cases. While COVID-19 cases doubled in Kerala in 67.2 days, it was 34.12 days for Odisha.
"Way too early?," says the state government's chief spokesperson on COVID-19, Subroto Bagchi, maintaining that the government as well as the people must remain alert for at least six months and strictly adhere to social distancing and norms of hygiene. (PTI)
Union minister Prakash Javadekar: No decision has been taken yet on the resumption of flight operations. An announcement will be made on time as to when it will resume.
Union minister Prakash Javadekar Wednesday said the Centre will not tolerate the attacks on the healthcare workers in the country amid the coronavirus pandemic and has decided to bring an ordinance to make it a punishable offence. Javadekar said the government will amend the Epidemics Diseases Act, 1897 to make the attacks on healthcare workers a cognisable and non-bailable offence, under which a violeter may eb awarded with a jail term of three months to five years with a fine of Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh. In cases of severe injury to workers, the jail term will be increased to six month to seven years with a fine of Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.
The investigation will be completed within 30 days and the decision will be carried out within one year, he added.
Union minister Prakash Javadekar: While the entire nation is saluting the commendable work of the healthcare workers, some people are attacking them. Therefore, the government has decided to bring an ordinance by ammending the Epidemics Diseases Act, which wil be implemented after the President's sanction.
The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on Wednesday handed over 2,000 personal protective equipment kits and masks to the Delhi Metro unit of the CISF for protection against COVID-19, officials said. The ITBP has set up a special facility at its camp at Saboli in Haryana's Sonipat district to prepare fabricated personal protective equipment (PPE) and masks for the use of its troops and for other organisations battling the pandemic on ground.
These protection gears are meant for frontline workers of police, paramilitary forces and healthcare workers and not for doctors who treat the COVID-19 affected patients.
"Over 1,000 PPEs and an equal amount of triple-layer face masks were handed over to the CISF metro rail unit today," an ITBP spokesperson said.
"The PPEs and masks will enable the CISF to be prepared as and when they are deployed for Delhi Metro protection duties," he said. (PTI)
Actor Vijay contributes ?1.30 crore towards COVID-19 relief work covering all southern states, PM and CM relief fund, and FEFSI.
If someone going outdoors during the lockdown needs to use a public toilet, or if someone shares a toilet at home with someone who might have contracted COVID-19, is there a risk of being infected through the faeces of the infected person? The short answer: it is possible in theory, but very unlikely to happen. Read our explainer here.
Oil prices have fallen today again, to its lowest since 1999, amid the drop in demand caused by the coronavirus lockdown. Brent crude, which fell 24 per cent in the previous session, touched $15.98 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was down 51 cents, or 4.4 per cent, at $11.06 a barrel, reported Reuters. Don't miss our explainer on what this means for India, and the world.
OYO Hotels and Homes has announced a 25 per cent pay cut for its employees across India for four months, starting April. Some employees have also been asked to go out leave with limited benefits. “Our company is taking a difficult but necessary step for India, whereby we are asking all OYOprenuers to accept a reduction in their fixed compensation by 25%,” Chief Executive Rohit Kapoor said in a note, accessed by Reuters.
Amid the pandemic, when millions are under lockdown, Netflix has picked up nearly 16 million global subscribers, according to AP. It has more than doubled the quarterly growth is predicted in January, before the Covid-19 outbreak.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday underwent a test for COVID-19 after a well-known philanthropist, who Khan had met recently, tested positive, The Dawn reported. The results are expected later in the day. Faisal Edhi, the son of late philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi and chairman of the Edhi Foundation, met Khan last week to handover a cheque for the coronavirus relief fund. Edhi, was later tested positive.
With seven new Covid-19 positive cases confirmed in Karnataka, the total rose to 425 on Tuesday in the state. The new cases include five from Kalaburagi and two from Bengaluru, the first couple of cases reported from the capital city after three days.
Total in Karnataka: 425. Deaths: 17. Discharges: 129. Active cases: 279
A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan has tested positive for coronavirus, reports news agency PTI. The jawan was part of a battalion deployed in Jammu and Kashmir, and is now admitted to a hospital in New Delhi.
The number of active Covid-19 cases fell for the first time in the national capital since the first case was recorded in the second week of March. On Sunday, the total active cases was 1,668. It fell to 1,603 on Monday and further to 1,498 on Tuesday. While 180 people recovered on Tuesday, 75 fresh cases were reported. It is also after two weeks that Delhi did not see a single COVID-19 death. Delhi has seen 47 deaths owing to the disease so far.
An employee of the Ministry of Civil Aviation has tested positive for the coronavirus. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said medical aid and support has been extended to the patient. Those who were in contact with the patient have been asked to follow laid down procedures. The employee had attended office on April 15, and tested positive on April 21.
On Monday, Jadav Gogoi, a migrant worker from Assam, completed a journey of around 2,900 km, partly on foot, partly on a truck, battling storms, hunger and thieves to reach his hometown in Nagaon district. It is probably the first time in a month that Jadav Gogoi has smiled. And with good reason. "I am happy to be here... I was hungry, I was cold ... I really do not have more to say. But one thing is for sure: never in my life will I step out of Assam again,” he said.
The Mumbai Post Trust has confirmed that Marella Discovery will enter the port on Thursday, April 23. The sailors onboard, including Goans, will be made to undergo Covid-19 tests.
At least five people have been arrested by the Faridabad Police for beating up an ASHA worker on Tuesday, while she was conducting a door-to-door survey on behalf of the district administration amidst the coronavirus outbreak. An FIR has been registered against them under Sections 148 (rioting), 149 (unlawful assembly), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from his duty), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), at the Adarsh Nagar police station.
Recounting the incident, the injured ASHA worker, said, “I had gone to conduct the door to door survey at the complex. When I knocked on this family’s door, however, they refused to cooperate. I called my senior officer, and he also came and asked them why they were not doing the survey, but they became disrespectful towards him as well.”
“He finally called the police, who also tried to make them understand but a crowd eventually gathered, and people became aggressive and beat us up with sticks... All I had asked them was if there was anybody in the house who had travelled from outside, or attended the Jamaat,” she said.
Home Minister Amit Shah and Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan interacted with Indian Medical Association doctors through a video conference this morning. Shah assured doctors of their security, and appealed to them to withdraw the symbolic protest they had proposed, reported ANI. This is a video tweeted by the news agency:
Amid the lockdown due to the coronavirus, the Congress has sought suggestions from the public on what a MSME economic stimulus package should cover. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweets, "Covid-19 has devastated our micro, small and medium businesses."
Facebook has picked up a 9.99 per cent stake in Reliance Industries’ Jio Platforms at Rs 43,574 crore making it the largest FDI for minority investment in India. Jio Platforms is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited that works on digital apps, digital ecosystems and the mobile service. The investment by Facebook put the value of Jio Platforms at Rs 4.62 lakh crore pre-money enterprise value.
In a post, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said with the investment the two companies were “committing to work together on some major projects that will open up commerce opportunities for people across India.” He added: “With communities around the world in lockdown, many of these entrepreneurs need digital tools they can rely on to find and communicate with customers and grow their businesses. This is something we can help with — and that’s why we’re partnering with Jio to help people and businesses in India create new opportunities.”
A civil servant in Bihar has been suspended for issuing a travel pass to a BJP MLA who had recently travelled to Kota to bring back his daughter, news agency PTI reported. Anu Kumar, the Sub Divisional Ofice, Sadar, Nawada district was suspended with immediate effect for issuing a pass to Anil Singh, who represents the Hisua assembly segment, a notification issued by the states general department late Tuesday stated.
In a message on Earth Day 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciates those working to defeat COVID-19.
Maharashtra cabinet minister Jitendra Awhad has been admitted in Fortis hospital, Mulund. The MLA from NCP had been self-quarantined at his residence for some days now. A hospital official confirmed to The Indian Express he was brought to the hospital this morning, but declined to comment further. He has been admitted as a precautionary measure and will require check up for coronavirus.
A deserted Tulip Garden in Srinagar amid the lockdown imposed in the country till May 3. For more photos, scroll to the end of this blog. (Express Photos: Shuaib Masoodi)
US President Donald Trump has placed a 60-day pause on issuance of green cards amid the Covid-19 pandemic. He had announced Tuesday a “temporary suspension of immigration into the United States”. However, the order only bars those seeking permanent residence, not temporary workers.