*Authorities across states have begun preparations to help lakhs of migrant workers and students reach their homes from different parts of the country, where they are stranded for over a month due to the lockdown.
*The state of Maharashtra continues to remain the worst-affected state in India as total coronavirus cases in the state crossed the 10,000-mark on Thursday evening, the state health department said. The tally now reads 10,498 cases with 583 new cases registered today while the death toll now sits at 459.
* In Tripura, Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb said the lockdown in the state would continue in some form or the other till a vaccine against Covid-19 is invented. Deb made the remarks after holding a four-and-a-half-hour-long all-party meeting on Wednesday night.
*Congress leader Rahul Gandhi held a video-interaction with former Reserve Bank of India governor Raghuram Rajan on the economic impact of the nationwide lockdown. The economist told the former Congress chief that India needs to be cleverer in lifting the lockdown and open up its economy in a "measured way" as it does not have the capacity to support people across the spectrum for too long.
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The government on Friday decided to extend the nationwide lockdown for two weeks till May 18. The decision was taken after it noticed “significant gains in the Covid-19 situation” due to restrictions imposed since March 24. The announcement was made hours after the Centre categorised districts in the country into ‘red’, ‘orange’ and ‘green’ zones according to the number of cases and doubling rate. Restrictions will be eased as per the zones. Here'swhat else happened during the day.
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Over 1,000 migrant labourers who left Telangana’s Lingampally this morning by special trains operated by the Railways Ministry have now reached Hatia in Jharkhand.
The Ministry of Home Affairs extended the nationwide lockdown in the wake of Covid-19 for two more weeks starting May 4, laying down fresh guidelines regarding what to do and what not. It has put forward a list of activities that will be permitted and sectors that would remain operational in all the three zones — Red, Orange and Green — in which the states have been divided into depending on the number of cases reported from respective places. MHA also made Aarogya Setu App mandatory for all employees of both private and public sector offices, apart from a host of other safety rules for them to abide by. Click here for more details.
While Haryana’s two districts of Sonipat and Faridabad were declared red zones by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in its weekly list on red, orange and green zones issued on Thursday, Jhajjar district has fast emerged on top with maximum COVID cases. Till five days ago, Jhajjar district was in green zone and had not reported any COVID case since March 4.
With the sudden surge in COVID cases in districts bordering Delhi due to which Haryana has shut its four borders in Gurugram, Sonipat, Faridabad and Jhajjar, state’s Home Minister Anil Vij told The Indian Express that “nobody shall be allowed to enter Haryana without a COVID test. Be it people carrying essential services or those with lockdown passes, unless a person tests negative on the state’s border, he/she will not be allowed entry into Haryana”. Read more
The Union Health Ministry has issued a revised list of districts under red, orange and green zones on Friday. A total of 130 districts across the country have been placed under the red zone, while 284 and 319 districts have been identified as orange and green zones, respectively.
In Karnataka, the Central government has identified three districts as red zones, 13 districts as orange zones, and 14 districts as green zones. This revised classification is based on the incidence of cases, doubling rate, the extent of testing and surveillance feedback.
Here’s the full list of red/orange/green districts in Karnataka for the week after May 3
The first batch of 332 migrant workers board 'Shramik Special' from Nashik on their way to Bhopal. All of them were put up in shelter homes after being caught traveling in tempos or foot trying to head back home.
1,008 new coronavirus cases detected in Maharashtra on Friday, highest in single day, taking tally to 11,506. With 26 deaths, death toll rises to 485: state health department.
Despite the extension of India's lockdown by two weeks, Barclays keeps its GDP projection of 0.0 pre cent GDP growth for CY2020, and 0.8 per cent for FY2020-2021 (April 2020 to March 2021). "Right from the beginning of the lockdown, we have maintained that India’s lockdown is likely to be longer than announced, and we remain comfortable that the lockdown may continue on a partial basis until June 6, as part of the precaution in containing the outbreak. We had also factored in a shift to a partial lockdown scenario from end-April in our last GDP forecast change, which appears to be broadly playing out," it said.
Delhi government has canceled its order regarding the shortage of staff in the non-COVID hospitals due to infection of doctors and staff.
This 12-year-old girl is happy to go back home but she is going to miss some of the new friends she made during her 14-day stay at the isolation ward for coronavirus patients at Symbiosis Hospital. On Friday, the girl, along with 31 others, was discharged from the hospital after recovering from COVID-19
At Symbiosis Hospital, a total of 100 persons have recovered from COVID-19 so far, including a six-month-old boy and 92-year-old woman. “My father had left earlier and I was staying here with my cousin. We made some new friends and used to watch TV for some time. We also played some games,” said the 12-year-old. Read the full story here
As the Ministry of Home Affairs extended the nationwide lockdown for two more weeks starting May 4, laid down fresh guidelines regarding what to do and what not. It has put forward a list of activities that will be permitted and sectors that would remain operational in all the three zones — Red, Orange and Green — in which the states have been divided into depending on the number of cases reported from respective places. MHA also made Aarogya Setu App mandatory for all employees of both private and public sector offices, apart a host of other safety rules for them to abide by. Click here to know what all guidelines workplaces will have to follow
A police officer was injured after a team he was leading was pelted with stones at a village in Assam’s Lakhimpur district Thursday night, officials said. Lakhimpur Superintendent of Police Rajveer told The Indian Express that the in-charge of the local police outpost had got an input that a group of 20-25 persons were offering prayers at a mosque in Dakkhin Pandhowa village, breaking lockdown orders.
The entry and exits will be sealed from Saturday morning, and essential services will be permitted movement only subject to several conditions, including downloading of Aarogya Setu app. The administration has ordered that non-Panchkula residents whose jobs require every day travel to the district will have to be accommodated in the district itself by their managements. The Panchkula residents working in places outside the territory of Panchkula district would have to make similar accommodation arrangements with their management, as per the order from the Panchkula administration.
The Pandit Dindayal Upadhyay Hospital of Rajkot, popularly known as Rajkot civil hospital will soon have facilities to give blood plasma treatment to COVID-19 patients as the Central Licence Approving Authority (CLAA) of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation gave its approval to the hospital for separating blood components by apheresis procedure in the blood bank of the hospital. Dr Manish Mehta, medical superintendent of PDU Medical College said the hospital already had necessary equipment for separation of blood components, including plasma through apheresis procedure. "We have two plasma apheresis machines in dialysis unit and one in our blood bank. Now, we have got approval for separating blood components, including plasma. We were trying for the last one week to get this approval so that COVID-19 patients can be given this therapy. But two days ago, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) issued a circular two days ago stating plasma therapy trials are ongoing and that such treatment should be given only after results of the trial are successful. We expect that these results may take around a week or 10 days before we could start treatment," said Dr Mehta.
In 2008, Ravi Mokashi Punekar, a professor at IIT-Guwahati’s design department created a range of hospital furniture prototypes made from bamboo. For some reason, the project did not take off then. Now in 2020 — as the world battles the COVID-19 pandemic — the professor and his team have decided to bring back the project. Punekar’s idea draws from the fact that Northeast India has a rich diversity of bamboo species, with unparalleled reserves of the material. But for long, its potential has been largely untapped.
Two senior government doctors of Moreh Hospital, who were posted at the Indo-Myanmar border following the COVID-19 outbreak, were suspended for failing to report to duty. The doctors have been identified as Bharat Singh (specialist, Bio-chemistry) and Dr. Ph. Angkhong Rongmei (specialist, surgery).
National guidelines for work places:
National guidelines for Covid-19 management, as issued by the MHA:
All activities are permitted in green zones except the following:
However buses can operate with upto 50 per cent seating capacity and bus depots can operate with upto 50 per cent capacity.
The government has allowed all activities permitted in red zones (listed in the subsequent update) in Orange Zones, and the following activities:
Here is what is allowed in red zones:
The government has said that the list of zones will be updated on a weekly basis, or earlier, as required. Also, the government has allowed states to classify districts as Red or Orange. However, only the Centre will classify a district as a Green zone. Here is the full list of districts, categorised
These activities are not allowed in Red Zones:
The government has reiterated in its notification that all goods traffic will be permitted across the country as well as with neighbouring countries. "No State/ UT shall stop the movement of cargo for cross land-border trade under treaties with neighbouring countries. No separate pass of any sort is needed for such movement, which is essential for maintaining the supply chain of goods and services across the country during the lockdown period," it states. The MHA had issued a notification with similar orders yesterday after complaints of inter-state trucks being stopped.
The government has lifted restrictions on all agriculture activities, including sowing, harvesting, procurement and marketing operations in the agricultural supply chain. Animal husbandry activities are now fully permitted, including inland and marine fisheries. All plantation activities are allowed, including their processing and marketing.
Govt allows private offices to operate with upto 33 per cent strength, with the remaining persons working from home. It says all government offices will reopen with senior officers of the level of Deputy Secretary and above at full strength; only 33 per cent of remaining staff will attend office.
The government has allowed shops in urban areas, including standalone (single) shops, neighborhood (colony) shops and shops in residential complexes without any distinction of essential and non-essential. Shops selling non-essential goods are prohibited in malls, markets and market complexes. E-Commerce activities, in the Red Zones, are permitted only in respect of essential goods.
In the Red Zones, outside the Containment Zones, certain activities are prohibited in addition to those prohibited throughout the country. These are:
The government has said movement of all individuals, for all non-essential activities, shall remain strictly prohibited between 7 pm to 7 am. Authorities are expected to issue orders under appropriate provisions of law, such as prohibitory orders [curfew] under Section 144 of CrPC, for this purpose, and ensure strict compliance.
In all zones, persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years, shall stay at home, except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes.
In case you're just joining us, the government has increase the lockdown by two additional weeks till May 18. It has divided districts across the country into three categories -- red, orange and green -- according to the number of cases and doubling rate. There will be "considerable relaxations in the orange and green zones. The classification will be shared on a weekly basis (here is the current list). The most sensitive areas in the red and orange zones are called "containment zones". The following remains prohibited:
Out-Patient Departments (OPDs) and Medical clinics shall be permitted to operate in Red, Orange and Green Zones, with social distancing norms and other safety precautions; however, these will not be permitted within the Containment Zones.
According to the new guidelines
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday decided to extend the nationwide lockdown, imposed to arrest the spread of coronavirus, for two more weeks starting from May 4. The lockdown which is in place since March 25, was set to end after completing 40 days on May 3. In a press release, the government said, the decision has been taken in view of lockdown measures having led to significant gains in COVID-19 situation.
"The Army on its part will conduct mounted band displays along some of the COVID-19 hospitals in almost every district of our country. The armed forces will also lay wreathe at the police memorial on May 3 in support of our police forces," Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat said.
No Covid-19 case was reported in Kerala on Friday while nine people were dicharged after recoveries. Registration of all 1,500 people scheduled to travel to Odisha today have been done. Last-minute medical checkups underway.
A total of 251 people have recovered from COVID-19 in Karnataka so far. Total coronavirus positive cases now stand at 589 and toll at 22.
Two cops posted with DCP, North East Delhi, have tested positive for COVID-19. Four more cops, staying with them in the same barrack, also tested positive. Meanwhile, two cops of Crime Branch, who visited headquarters of the Tablighi Jamaat in Nizamuddin, tested positive too.
Shramik special trains running today are:
1. Lingampalli to Hatia
2. Aluva to Bhubaneswar
3. Nasik to Lucknow
4. Nasik to Bhopal
5. Jaipur to Patna
6. Kota to Hatia
Aluva Railway station near Kochi from where a train carrying nearly 1200 migrant workers will depart for Bhubaneswar.
The government clarifies that classification of zones is done as per doubling rate and total cases. It is possible to relax restrictions outside the containment zone, in red and orange zones, Health Ministry, Joint Secretary, Lav Agarwal says.
The government has ordered 2.2 crore personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, of which 1.42 will be procured through domestic manufacturers, and 1.87 from abroad. The demand for PPE kits has been projected at 2.01 crore in India,PD Vaghela says during the Health Ministry briefing. "We are implementing Make in India in this sector. From zero Indian manufacturers there are now several of them," he adds.
The government has issued an order allowing movement of stranded migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and others by special trains operated by the Railways Ministry. The Ministry will soon issue detailed guidelines on sale of tickets. Social distancing and other measures will be observed at train stations, platforms and within trains.
The government there is demand for 75,000 ventilators for April, May and June. It has ordered 7,884 ventilators from abroad, while the rest will be manufactured by domestic companies. "So far, ventilator use in India has been limited. Enough oxygen production in the country," says P D Vaghela, Secretary. "We manufacture 6,700 metric ton oxygen of which 1,000 metric ton in medical oxygen."
The daily health ministry briefing is underway. Joint Secretary, Health Ministry, Lav Agarwal says 1,913 cases of Covid-19 have been reported in the last 24 hours taking the total number of cases to 35,043. The recovery rate is 25.37 per cent.
At least 90 troops of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) have been quarantined after five personnel test positive for Covid-19, according to news agency PTI. Meanwhile, ANI is reporting that 12 more Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans have tested positive, taking the total number in the to over 60.
The HRD Ministry is likely to soon issue guidelines for schools and colleges, which will be followed once they reopen. New seating arrangements, staggered classes, separate canteens and new library rules could be part of the plan to limit interaction between students in the wake of Covid-19. According to a PTI report, social distancing norms will be enforced to ensure health and safety of students.
The coronavirus pandemic is likely to last two years and won't be controlled until about two-thirds of the global population builds immunity against it, according to the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. It also states people may be at their most infectious before symptoms appear. Read more on their report here.
The first batch of 1,200 migrants, returning to Jharkhand from Telangana, will reach Hatia at 11 pm. They had boarded the train at 6 am this morning. Upon arrival, they will be screened before boarding buses to their respective districts, where they will be quarantined.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and three service chiefs will hold a press conference on important issues at 6 pm this evening
With the government exploring modalities for relaxations after May 3, when the nationwide lockdown is scheduled to end, the Union Health Ministry has issued a revised of districts under red, orange and green zones. A total of 130 districts across the country have been placed in the red zone, while 284 and 319 districts have been identified as orange and green zones, respectively. Click here to see which zone your city falls in.
Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi today hit out at the Centre over the "mismanagement of migrant labourers" amid the lockdown. "The Centre has mercilessly and without second thought abandoned the entire category of migrant labourers. The 'fiscal injection' especially designed for labour class is the need of the hour. The mismanagement of migrant labourers shows the approach this govt has adopted towards poor of country," he said.
Migrants working in the Kashmir Valley are crossing snow covered areas of Pir Panjal Mountain range to reach their home towns amid the lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. Watch video here:
Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari today said that the biggest challenge before the state government was to free the state from the coronavirus pandemic and improve its economic growth rate. In his televised address on the 60th foundation day of Maharashtra, Koshyari said the government was doing its best to deal with these two issues. In his speech made in Marathi, Koshyari appealed to the people to follow the protocol of social distancing, lockdown rules and all safety precautions. He sought support and cooperation of citizens to achieve the goal of making the state strong and prosperous, and freeing it from the coronavirus pandemic at the earliest. The governor paid tributes to the martyrs of the Sanyukta Maharashtra movement. "Maharashtra is stepping into the 61st year of its existence in the backdrop of a different kind of war. The state is fighting this war with strong determination. It has a tradition of fighting against all odds and winning," he said.
The Ministry of Railways has also directed its respective zones to consider the demands from the various states. While Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have given the green signal for inter-state travel of migrants, an order from the Bihar government is awaited. More migrants special trains are expected to run today. However, no trains will be allowed to move out from Mumbai and Pune, two major Covid-19 zones in Maharashtra.
Another train is expected to leave from Aluva in Kerala to Bhubaneswar in Odisha today while some are expected to leave from Kozhikode and Trivandrum tomorrow. An official order from the railways is yet to arrive. The state plans to bring back the stranded migrants only after screening them. Around 1,000 migrants are expected to board the train today.
A Congress MLA in Rajasthan has written to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, seeking reopening of liquor shops across the state amid the nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. In his letter, Sangod MLA Bharat Singh Kundanpur has argued that the consumption of alcohol may remove the virus from the throat. “When alcohol can wash coronavirus off hands, it will dislodge the virus from booze guzzlers’ throats as well,” the letter to the chief minister read.
Rajasthan recorded three more coronavirus deaths on Friday, while 33 fresh cases of the virus were reported, an official said. Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Rohit Kumar Singh said while two people died in Jaipur, one died in Nagaur. The death toll due to the virus in the state has climbed to 61. Jaipur alone has reported 34 deaths. As many as 33 new cases, including 11 in Ajmer, seven each in Chittorgarh and Kota, six in Jaipur and one each in Jodhpur and Rajsamand have been reported, the Health Department official said. The state now has 2,617 confirmed cases of COVID-19, out of which 644 have been discharged from hospitals. There are 1,656 active cases, Singh said.
A 35-year old woman booked and arrested by Sangrur police for alleged drug peddling tested positive for coronavirus Thursday late. She was arrested by Amargarh police of Sangrur and sent to Ludhiana Women’s Jail on April 28.
However before being lodged at Ludhiana Women’s Jail, she underwent medical check-up and was tested for coronavirus. She tested positive and has been admitted at Civil Hospital Ludhiana. An FIR against her was registered at Amargarh police station of Sangrur under the sections 21/29/61 and 85 of the NDPS Act. Sangrur SSP Sandeep Garg said that as per orders, Ludhiana women’s jail has been designated for new entrants to handle COVID pandemic and hence the woman did not enter Sangrur jail. He said she was directly sent to Ludhiana women’s jail.
“Five of our policemen including an ASI, head constables and constables who came in contact with her have been quarantined and will be tested,” said SSP.
In view of rising Covid-19 cases, local civic body the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has made it mandatory for citizens to wear masks in public areas and workspaces. "Maintaining social distancing, wearing facial masks and adopting proper segregated waste disposal and sanitation could help contain the spread of coronavirus," an official order issued by BBMP Commissioner B H Anil Kumar mentioned. As per the order, wearing a facial mask to cover mouth and nose is compulsory in public places and in any working space with more than five people. The order further adds that facial masks and gloves used by households and commercial establishments should be properly handed over to waste collectors in covers or closed bags as part of sanitary (reject) waste.
Three more people tested positive for coronavirus in Haryana's Jhajjar district this morning, taking the total count of cases in the district to 28. "All the three cases that have emerged today are of contacts of a vegetable vendor in Jhajjar city, who had tested positive earlier this week. Two of those who have tested positive are his relatives, while the third is a coworker," said a spokesperson of the Jhajjar district administration. Jhajjar has, this week, seen a steep rise in cases of coronavirus, with 20 cases being recorded between Wednesday evening and Friday morning alone. Until Sunday, it was among only three districts in Haryana that had not recorded a single case of Coronavirus.