Mahim church in Mumbai displays a message to promote Corona awareness on Thursday. (Express photo: Prashant Nadka)
PM Narendra Modi coronavirus address: In his address to the nation on novel coronavirus, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked citizens to exercise restraint and urged social distancing. “For the last few days, it looks like if we are safe from coronavirus. This belief is not right. Hence, it is very important for every Indian to remain aware and alert,” PM Modi said. PM Modi, who has held several review meetings since last month, has stressed on actively engaging with individuals, local communities and organisations to check COVID-19.
A 70-year-old man hailing from Punjab died due to the COVID-19, taking the toll to four in India, the Health Ministry confirmed Thursday. The patient had co-morbid health conditions including diabetes and cardiac issues, the ministry said. The number of positive cases in India has jumped to 173.
In an attempt to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the Central government barred all scheduled international commercial passenger aircraft to land in India from March 22 for one week. Further, it asked the state governments to issue directions that citizens above the age of 65, except for public representatives, govt servants, medical professionals, and children below age 10 should remain indoors.
For the first time since the coronavirus crisis began, China — the epicenter of the infection — on Thursday reported no new local cases. It, however, registered 34 cases imported from abroad, the biggest daily increase in two weeks, according to the National Health Commission. Globally, coronavirus has spread to 140 countries, infecting 2.22 lakh and killing over 9,000 people, according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins University. (Follow our full coverage on coronavirus pandemic here)
Volunteers wait to check temperatures at the entrance of a street in Beijing
Two more people tested positive for coronavirus in Jaipur on Thursday. The total cases in Rajasthan now stand at nine, three of whom are now coronavirus negative.
Italy on Thursday overtook China's coronavirus death toll, with 427 new fatalities taking its total since the first case was registered in February to 3,405, news agency AFP reported. China has officially reported 3,245 deaths since registering the first infection at the end of last year.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) Thursday requested people to avail metro services "only when it is essential and unavoidable". Issuing an eight-point advisory, the DRMC laid emphasis on the need for commuters to maintain at least one-meter gap among each other inside the trains and at the stations. It also said that random thermal scanning of passengers will be carried out at all metro stations.
More than 227,700 people have been infected by the novel coronavirus across the world and 9,263 have died, with cases and deaths outside China far exceeding those in the country where the outbreak began, news agency Reuters.
Two people in Telangana have been tested positive for the coronavirus. Both patients have an international travel history to London.
The total number of coronavirus cases in Delhi have risen to 14, the state health department has said, according to PTI. The Health Ministry has cited 11 cases so far.
The United Nations has cautioned millions of people could die from the coronacirus, particularly in poor countries, if it is allowed to spread unchecked, appealing for a coordinated global response to contain it.
"If we let the virus spread like wildfire -- especially in the most vulnerable regions of the world -- it would kill millions of people," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said. "Global solidarity is not only a moral imperative, it is in everyone's interests," he said.
The Tamil Nadu government has ordered the closure of important places of worship for darshan including famous Madurai-based Meenakshi shrine, curtails interstate services by buses, trains.
The District Magistrate of Srinagar has imposed strict restrictions across Jammu and Kashmir's capital to contain the spread of coronavirus. "No public movement or activity will be allowed anywhere in the district.
Only government officials with valid IDs will be allowed to move," the officials said. "Strict action will be taken against violators of the order. Government officials have been asked to ensure no one is found ferried in their vehicles," the officials added.
The government has banned the export of all ventilators, surgical and disposable masks, textile raw material for masks with immediate effect.
The Madhya Pradesh government has announced a closure of all national parks, sanctuaries and tiger reserves.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has ordered the closure of all weekly markets in the state till March 31. Centrally air-conditioned textile and jewelry shops will be shut in the state from Friday and shops will create a single passage to deliver pre-ordered items alone. The state government has suspended entry of visitors has been suspended in all major temples.
An Indian who tested positive for the coronavirus has died in Iran, the MEA informed. The other citizens infected with the disease are being provided with treatment and taken care of by the Iranian government. The deceased was an elderly person fitting in the bracket of the vulnerable age group and had health-related complications, a senior MEA official said.
"We have evacuated 590 people from Iran where the situation is very severe. The Indians infected with coronavirus in Iran have been segregated and taken care of very well by the government there. We believe they will recover and we will bring them back," the MEA official said, adding that 201 Indians were evacuated from Iran on Wednesday.
BJP president J P Nadda appealed to all party workers to help implement PM Modi's suggestions and stand with the people in the fight against coronavirus. "I appeal to all party workers to help in implementing suggestions made by PM Narendra Modi in fighting coronavirus. I want to assure PM that party workers will play a positive role and stand with people in the fight against coronavirus," Nadda said.
In Gujarat, two people have tested positive for COVID-19, the health department officials informed. One of the Covid-19 patient is from Rajkot, while the other is from Surat, said the officials of the Health and Family Welfare department. This is the first time Gujarat has reported confirmed cases of the coronavirus.
Two persons in Dehradun have tested positive for the coronavirus, totalling to three cases in Uttarakhand. All three patients are trainee officer of Indian Forests Service.
PM Modi declares that the government will constitute a COVID-19 Economic Response Task Force under Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, which will remain in regular touch with all stakeholders, take their feedback and make decisions accordingly.
"For the last two months, millions are working day and night in hospitals and airports and those serving others by not taking care of themselves. On March 22 at 5 pm, we should stand on our doorways, balconies, in our windows and keep clapping hands and ringing the bells for 5 minutes to salute and encourage them," Modi says.
Urging people to avoid visiting hospitals for routine check-ups, PM Modi asks them to postpone any appointment for any non-essential surgery for a month. "We should keep in mind that pressure should not come on hospitals," Modi says.
"I appeal to all not to go into panic buying to store essential commodities. Steps being taken to ensure that there is no scarcity of essential commodities," Modi says.
Imposing 'Janata curfew' on March 22 during 7 am to 9 pm, PM Modi says all citizens should follow the curfew and requests people to leave their houses only when it becomes necessary. "Try and do all work from home," PM Modi says.
PM Modi urges people to strengthen their resolve to follow the advisories issues by state and central governments to fight the coronavirus. "Resolution and restraint is very important in combat against this global epidemic," he says.
"Restrain is compulsory to protect ourselves and remain healthy. I request that for the coming weeks people should go out of their homes only if essential," Modi says.
PM Modi says since no definite solution has been found or any vaccine produced, he appeals to citizens to not remain outdoors and to isolate from gatherings. "To deal with coronavirus, no definite solution has been found, nor has any vaccine produced. For a developing country like ours with a large population the growing challenge of Coronavirus is not a normal situation," he says.
PM Narendra Modi has asked Indians to be aware and alert of the virus. "For the last few days, it looks like if we are safe from coronavirus. This belief is not right. Hence, it is very important for every Indian to remain aware and alert," he says.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation and says the coronavirus crisis has engulfed the entire human race. "For the past two months, we have been watching with concern the news about coronavirus spreading across the world," Modi said.
Modi: The world is going through a crisis. We have to be careful. I need a few weeks and time for all citizens. No vaccine has been made for this virus. And hence, worrying about it justified.
The Jawaharlal Nehru University will remain closed from March 19 to 31, JNU Registrar Pramod Kumar said. All activities in the university, including services in hostels, schools and administration have been suspended till the said date. All Students are required to vacate the hostels:
After the Central government barred all international commercial flights to land in India for a week, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a statement complying by the directive. "No international commercial plane to be allowed to disembark passengers, foreigners or Indians, on Indian soil after 1.30 AM on March 23," the DGCA said.
The famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala and all other major temples will be closed for devotees, however, daily rituals in all these temples will be performed by priests.
In the past 24 hours, a huge number of people totalling to 767 have died in Spain, surging by nearly 30 per cent.The number coronavirus cases have jumped by 25 per cent to 17,147, bringing Spain's tally close to Iran. Madrid remains the worst-hit area, accounting for 6,777 cases, or 40 percent of the total infections in Spain, while the number of deaths in the capital rose to 498 -- around two-thirds of the national total.
The 70-year-old man hailing from Punjab, who died today, had returned from Germany through Italy a fortnight ago. He died at a hospital in Punjab's Nawanshahr district after a severe chest pain. The sample of the man, who had diabetes and hypertension, tested positive after he died at the Banga community health centre on Wednesday, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) Director Jagat Ram said.
The issuance of rejection slips to 19 lakh people who were excluded from Assam's final National Register of Citizens (NRC) has been put on hold due to the outbreak of the virus.
The Uttar Pradesh government is putting efforts to get the Indian Council of Medical Research's (ICMR) approval for four institutes in the state to conduct novel coronavirus tests, state Health Minister Jai Pratap Singh said. Currently, the King George Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow has the approval for testing COVID-19 cases, the minister said.
"We are working on a war footing to deal with the situation arising out of the coronavirus outbreak. We have a virology lab in Gorakhpur, and facilities in Aligarh, Banaras Hindu University and PGI (Lucknow)... We are trying to procures machines and get accreditation from the ICMR so that these facilities can conduct for these places," the minister told reporters.
The Aviation joint secretary has confirmed that 201 Indians were evacuated from Iran on Wednesday. The Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday had informed the Lok Sabha that 276 infected Indians were stranded abroad, including 255 in Iran.
An Air India flight will leave for Rome on Saturday and return the next day with Indians including students stranded in the coronavirus-affected country, an MEA official told PTI. Earlier in the day, the MEA in a press conference had assured that Indians stuck in Italy will be brought back by the end of this week.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has said 20 or more people will not be allowed to gather at any place for social, cultural, religious, academics, seminars, conferences purposes in the state. Earlier, 50 or more people were not allowed to gather.
"All state buses, Inter State Bus Terminals and metro trains are being disinfected on a daily basis. Private transport vehicles will also be disinfected at every bus depots from 10 am to 6 pm daily free of cost," he said.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal: We have started stamping people who have been asked to remain in home quarantine upon their arrival in India. There are instances of such people fleeing home. If such persons don't keep themselves in quarantine, govt will be forced to arrest them&lodge FIR against them.
He said the state government has succeeded in keeping coronavirus at containment level assuring it is not at a community level.
The Health Ministry has said no community transmission has been reported. "These things create panic in the minds of people," Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal said.
Responding if states have undergone a lockdown, Agarwal said: Lockdown is a very inappropriate word; govt effort has been to prepare for evolving global scenario. Our measures started on January 17. To err on the side of caution will help us.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in a press conference said all restaurants in Delhi will remain closed in the national capital till March 31. " Eating at restaurants will be prohibited but take away of foods or delivery of food will continue," Kejriwal said.
The Centre has ordered that no scheduled international commercial passenger aircraft shall be allowed to land in India from March 22 for one week. The government has ordered the state governments to issue directions to advise citizens above the age of 65 and children below the age of 10 to stay at home. The country has recorded its fourth death due to the coronavirus, as informed by the Health Ministry.
The Delhi Police will not conduct drunken driving test unless someone is visibly drunk and driving recklessly.
The Health Ministry has announced the fourth death due to the coronavirus. The patient was from Punjab.
Indians who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Iran are in proper medical care and recovering, the MEA said. 'If they are not at the epicentre, it is best they should stay wherever they are,' the MEA said.
'The primary advice to all Indians abroad is to stay put where they are. We have evacuated 590 people from Iran where the situation is very severe. Indians infected with coronavirus in Iran have been segregated and taken care of very well. We believe they will recover and we will bring them back,' MEA said.
The MEA has also informed that it plans to evacuate Indians in Italy over this weekend. "Further details are being worked out with the civil aviation ministry," the MEA said.
When asked MEA's response over Pakistan bringing up the Kashmir issue during the SAARC COVID19 video conference held recently, Raveesh Kumar said, 'This SAARC platform was to address this pandemic. It was a humanitarian platform that Pakistan misused.'
Pakistan has decided to close down the Wagah border with India for two weeks as the number of coronavirus cases in the country rose to 341. Pakistan's western border with Iran and Afghanistan had already been closed to curb the spread of the deadly virus which had infected people in more than 150 countries.
The MEA has further informed that the emergency fund is up and running and quantum of assistance to other countries has been requested which has cross $1 million. 'We're moving fast on proposals announced during PM's video conferencing with SAARC leaders. The emergency fund is up&running. We've received many requests from other SAARC countries in form of masks, gloves etc. Quantum of assistance requested so far as crossed $1M,' Ravish Kumar said.
The Ministry of External Affairs has informed the Ministry is strengthening the COVID-19 control room and strength of 25 to 30 people are working in the control room. "They work in shifts. We are getting about 400 e-mails and 1000 calls in a day," the MEA said.
The central Railway hs cancelled 30 more outstation trains till April 1, citing low occupancy. These trains are cancelled mainly due to low occupancy, as people have been advised to avoid non-essential travel during the pandemic, a Central Railway spokesperson said.Earlier this week, the Central Railway had cancelled 32 trains, which included some popular ones and those that are operated weekly.
Mass gatherings suspended at St. Michael's Church in Mumbai's Mahim till April 1. Meanwhile, churches in Odisha too has suspended all activities as a precautionary measure.
A woman and a 22-year-old student with a travel history to the United Kingdom have been tested positive for coronavirus in Gurgaon, taking the number of cases to four. The Health Ministry is yet to confirm the cases.
The Bombay High Court has declared it will function on two days of the week and hear only urgent matters. The high court's principal bench in Mumbai and regional benches at Aurangabad, Nagpur and Goa shall take up urgent matters for hearing on March 23 and 26 (Monday and Thursday).
In wake of surging COVID-19 cases in Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party (SP) has declared to cancel all political programmes scheduled in March, adding that party workers should stay at home. The state so far has recorded 16 coronavirus cases.
The Jagannath Temple in Puri will be closed for visitors till March 31 with effect from Friday, a top official of the 12th century shrine said.
"Darshan by devotees inside the temple will remain suspended from tomorrow till March 31. However, the rituals inside the temple will continue. Only the servitors can enter the temple premises to perform the rituals," he explained.
All Holy masses and other services in Catholic churches of Delhi have been suspended till March 31, Archbishop Anil Couto said. A similar directive has been issued by the Archdiocese of Gandhinagar cancelling mass prayer service until further notice, adding that churches will remain open for personal prayers. Mass gatherings at St Michael's Church in Mumbai's Mahim area suspended till March 31.
" Mass held on weekdays and Sunday's have been suspended till 31 March in wake of the #CoronavirusPandemic. We will live stream Mass on social media. All are requested to stay at their home and pray," said Father Robinson, Secretary to Archbishop of Delhi.
The SpiceJet airlines has announced that it is forced to temporarily suspend the majority of international flights from March 21 - April 30. "We will resume the suspended flights as soon as the situation normalises," the airlines said.
The central government asks 50 per cent of its staff to work from home and remaining to attend office. Office timings changed into 3 categories to stagger employee presence & avoid crowding. The government has directed the HoDs to make a roster and employees will attend the office from 9 am to 5.30 pm, 9.30 am to 6 pm, 10 am to 6.30 pm. Instructions have been put place till April 4. The directive does not apply to offices and employees engaged in essential or emergency services and those directly engaged in taking measures to control the spread of COVI-19.
Pakistan’s coronavirus cases jumped after more pilgrims returning from Iran tested positive for the disease. The nation reported 204 cases on Wednesday from 94 two days ago, according to data by National Institute of Health. About 60% of the cases are people with recent travel history to bordering Iran, the country with the third-highest number of infections, as part of a pilgrimage to holy shrines, according to government data. The jump makes it South Asia’s most affected by the outbreak. Rest of the region has 166 cases with about 90% in India.
Indigo also announced a pay cut for all its employees. The aviation sector has been hit extremely hard as most airlines globally have drastically curtailed their flight operations. "With the precipitous drop in revenues, the very survival of airline industry now at stake," CEO Ronojoy Dutta said, adding that he will take 25 per cent cut in salary. Senior vice presidents and above will take 20 per cent cut, while cockpit crew will be taking 15 per cent cut
Just like Maharashtra and Karnataka, Punjab and Delhi will also start stamping those who need to be home quarantined. Punjab will also shut down hotels and restaurants in the state.
As the coronavirus sweeps through the world, shutting thousands of factories and locking down millions, the impact is visible from space. A satellite that detects traces of human activity — tailpipe emissions, fossil fuel burned in power plants and other industrial activities — shows striking reductions in pollution over China and Italy.
BMC in Mumbai has taken over the commercial hoarding around the city to promote awareness related to coronavirus. In the picture, a hoarding on the Bandra road. (Express photo by Prashant Nadkar)
To dissuade people from making non-essential travel, the Indian Railways has decided to suspend all concessions, except for students, patients, and divyangs.
Russia said on Thursday a 79-year-old woman with underlying health issues who tested positive for the new coronavirus had died from pneumonia, the country's first confirmed death resulting from the virus. Russia has reported 147 cases of the coronavirus. (Reuters)