A doctor in a protective suit sits outside an isolation ward for COVIND-19 patients at a hospital in Hyderabad. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)
Coronavirus Highlights: The Ministry of Health in a press conference said that the passengers travelling from European Union countries, European Free Trade Association, Turkey, and UK to India have been prohibited from March 18. The announcement comes on a day when the active coronavirus cases in India rose to 114, with one new case reported from Ladakh, Odisha, Jammu and Kashmir, and Kerala each. It added that the travel restrictions have been further tightened to prevent spread of COVID-19 from high-risk areas. Get your FAQs answered here
In Maharashtra, a three-year-old girl is the first child to test positive for the coronavirus. She contracted it from her father. On the other hand, the Telangana government on Monday said that the passengers arriving in Hyderabad, either Indian or foreigners, from countries like China, Iran, Italy, South Korea, France, Germany, Spain in direct flights or via hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi etc, having a travel history to these countries after February 15 will be quarantined for 14 days in view of the rising cases of the novel coronavirus disease.
Meanwhile, Mainland China reported an overall drop in the new coronavirus infections on Sunday with just 16 new cases. So far, the coronavirus has claimed more than 5,800 lives across the world while the total number of cases have exceeded 1,68,000.
Delhi Police chief S N Shrivastava has directed all DCPs to arrange masks and sanitisers for personnel. (Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)
Russia will ban the entry of foreign nationals and stateless people from March 18 to May 1 in response to the coronavirus outbreak, the government said on Monday. The ban will not apply to diplomatic representatives, airplane crew members and some other categories of people, it said. Russia has reported 93 cases of the virus so far.
Pakistan's coronavirus cases surged to 183 on Monday after dozens of new infection were reported in Sindh province. Official said that Sindh had 150 positive cases, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 15, Balochistan 10, Gilgit-Baltistan 5, Islamabad 2 and Punjab 1. (PTI)
Karnataka Monday late night reported two new positive cases of COVID-19. The total number of positive cases reaches 10, including that of a 32-yr-old male Bengaluru techie that was reported earlier on Monday.
A 26-year-old woman, who had recently travelled to Malaysia and Indonesia for a holiday, was tested positive in Haryana today. This is the first case of COVID-19 in the state.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he will close the country's borders to anyone not a citizen or a permanent resident and asked all Canadians to say home amid the coronavirus pandemic. "All Canadians as much as possible should stay home," Trudeau said outside his residence, where is self-isolating after his wife tested positive for the virus. He also said that his government will restrict flights to Canada to airports in four major cities.
The death toll from an outbreak of coronavirus in Italy has risen in the last 24 hours by 349 to 2,158, an increase of 19.3%, news agency Reuters reported Monday. The total number of cases in Italy, the European country hardest hit by the virus, rose to 27,980 from a previous 24,747, up 13%, the slowest rate of increase since the contagion first came to light on Feb. 21.
The World Health Organization called on all countries on Monday to ramp up their testing programmes as the best way to slow the advance of the coronavirus pandemic. "We have a simple message to all countries - test, test, test," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference in Geneva. Without testing, cases could not be isolated and the chain of infection would not be broken, he added. (Reuters)
Banning public entry in civil secretariat and offices of all the heads of department in Jammu division till March 31, UT government on Monday decided to quarantine all the passengers travelling by air from Ladakh. It also decided that all foreigners visiting the UT shall be quarantined as per the set protocol.
The decision came at a meeing chaired by Chief Secretary B. V. R. Subrahmanyam, to review the Cluster Containment Plan to prevent, contain and manage community transmission of infection in Jammu and Kashmir ``in view of the detection of two confirmed, (possibly three) Coronavirus cases in Jammu and measures put in place by the Health Department’’, an official spokesperson here said. The meeting was attended by all the Administrative Secretaries, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), Deputy Commissioner, Jammu and Commissioner Jammu Municipal Corporation.
At the meeting, the Cluster Containment strategy and steps required to be taken for its effective implementation were presented by Financial Commissioner, Health, and discussed in detail. It focuses on containing the disease within a defined geographic area through early detection, breaking the chain of transmission, thus preventing its spread to other areas.
The Chief Secretary directed the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, to ensure that passengers of all incoming flights from Ladakh be 100 per cent quarantined, besides setting up of quarantine facility at Baltal base camp in Sonmarg in Kashmir to quarantine people entering into JK from Ladakh.
As another preventive measure to contain the virus, it was decided that all inter-state buses entering Jammu & Kashmir shall be checked and sanitized at an entry point in Kathua.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday took to Twitter to interact with people on their experiences and preventive measures being taken on coronavirus while launching a “COVID-19 Solution Challenge” to find a “technology-driven” remedy for the pandemic. The winner will get Rs 1 lakh as prize money.
“Many people are highlighting different aspects of how India is combating COVID-19. This is certainly boosting the morale of all those doctors, nurses, municipal workers, airport staff and all other remarkable people at the forefront of fighting COVID-19,” PM Modi tweeted.
Replying to a Twitter user who said he had cancelled all meetings and let his employees work from home, PM Modi said, “A wise call. Avoiding non-essential travel and minimising social outings are welcome steps.” Read more
In view of the emerging scenario due to the threat of novel coronavirus, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Monday restricted functioning of its both wings at Jammu and in Srinagar to urgent matters only.
According to a circular, functioning in both the wings of the High Court shall be restricted to urgent matters from March 16-31. The Advocates, litigants and parties in person shall mention their matter(s) by providing number and stage of the matter(s) on daily board, showing the urgency before the concerned Registrar Judicial through e-mail by 3 pm of the previous day and upon satisfaction about the urgency, the Court may hear such matter(s), the circular reads.
In all other listed matters, dates would be given by the Bench Secretaries and dates in such matters shall be communicated through e-Courts platform, it added, asking the Bar Associations and the advocates to ensure entry of litigants in the court shall be restricted to cases where their present is unavoidable and in such cases only one person may be called.
The Bar Associations of both the wings of the High Court shall ensure that there shall be no crowding in the Court complex including the lawyers' chambers, the circular said, adding that they shall also defer all their public functions involving gathering. It also asked the Advocates to advise their clients not to visit the Court unless their presence is directed by the Court or is unavoidable.
The five southern states, which together account for one-fourth of the total Covid-19 cases in the country, are stepping up surveillance and disease mitigation measures in a bid to arrest the spread of the infection into the community. A host of measures taken by the states include a public campaign promoting social distancing and personal hygiene, installing testing centres at state borders, extensive screening of passengers on trains, using popular social media platforms like Telegram to address queries of the public around the viral infection and cracking down on dealers hoarding essential supplies such as masks and hand sanitisers.
As of March 16, Kerala (21) accounted for the second-largest number of active cases in the country excluding the three who recovered. Karnataka has seven active cases and one casualty, Telangana two cases along with a patient who has recovered and one each in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Read more here
When Tinu Cherian Abraham, a resident of Bengaluru left for New York on February 28, little did he know what coronavirus — then an outbreak mostly limited to China — had in store for him. However, as soon as he landed back in town, the communications and PR personnel at a multinational IT company took the civic responsibility to put himself on home quarantine.
“Even though there was no government advisory then to do so, I did this voluntarily for the safety of my loved ones, friends, colleagues and the community around me. There was a company advisory as well, suggesting employees who have come back from international travel to consider self-quarantine for 14 days,” Abraham told Indianexpress.com
On his way back to Bengaluru, after cutting short his official trip due to the escalating situation in New York, Abraham spent time in three airports – Los Angeles, USA (boarding point), Frankfurt, Germany (23-hour-transit) and Bengaluru (landing point). Read more
An elderly woman who had returned to Kolkata with fever after a pilgrimage to Mecca on Sunday, walked out of Beliaghata ID & BG Hospital saying she wanted to get treatment in a private hospital. Thermal scanners at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International airport recorded her body temperature and she was taken to the government hospital for further monitoring. Kolkata police and health officials spent six-hours trying to convince her to return to the isolation unit of the government hospital designated for treating suspected COVID-19 cases. After the woman walked out of the hospital, hospital officials alerted the health department who in turn alerted Beniapukur police station, the area where the woman lives. Her condition is presently stable and she will be kept under observation for 14 days. The health department has advised quarantine at home for her family members who may have come in contact with her.
As the number of positive coronavirus cases rose to 114 Monday, the government prohibited entry of passengers from EU countries, Turkey and the UK from March 18 till March 31. The Union health ministry also said four new coronavirus cases — one each from Odisha, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and Kerala — have been reported.
On March 11, the World Health Organisation officially declared coronavirus a pandemic as it has spread globally and claimed over 5,000 lives, infecting more than 31,000 people. Many states in India have gone into shutdown mode, closing all schools, public parks, malls and theatres, in order to fight the public health emergency.
Here is the full list of 63 testing sites for COVID-19
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wants the European Union to put in place a 30-day ban on people entering the bloc unless their travel is essential, in an effort to curb the spread of the new coronavirus. On the eve of an EU summit via video-conference, Von der Leyen said Monday that ``I propose to the heads of states and government to introduce temporary restrictions on nonessential travel to the European Union.'' ``The less travel, the more we can contain the virus,'' she said in a video message. Von der Leyen says that people with long-term EU residency or who are family members of European citizens, plus diplomats, doctors and health care workers could be exempted from the ban. Transport workers could also be exempt to help keep goods flowing. (AP)
Corporate India is expecting a 0.5 per cent hit on economic growth in FY2020-21 if the coronavirus pandemic lasts longer, pushing up fiscal deficit and creating more bad loans for the bank, says an industry survey. Care Ratings has conducted a survey on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the economy among over 150 CEOs, CFOs, investors, analysts and other stakeholders from manufacturing, financial services, infra, realty and services between March 5 and 12. According to the survey, the economic impact will be significant and long term if the virus continues for longer. A vast majority (52 per cent) of those polled say the GDP will come down by around 50 bps, while 22 per cent expected the hit to over 1 per cent in FY21, forcing the RBI to respond by reducing the repo rate by 25-50 bps sooner than later, according to 57 per cent of the respondents. They also fear a widening of the fiscal deficit if the government announces fiscal measures to support the economy with 70 per cent expecting widening of the fiscal deficit to the tune of 0.25 per cent in FY21. (PTI)
In Maharashtra, a three-year-old girl is the first child to test positive for the coronavirus. She contracted it from her father.
All ASI-protected monuments, central museums across India to be shut till Mar 31 in view of coronavirus: Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel
Three people from Telangana were arrested on Monday by the Bhongir Town Police of Rachakonda police commissionerate for spreading fake news of death of a person due to coronavirus. They have been charged under section 54 of NDMA 2005. Another similar case is registered in Chaitanyapuri police station of Rachakonda commissionerate.
The Pune Vyapari Mahasangh - the umbrella body of retail and wholesale traders in the city - have decided to keep all shops in Pune closed for the next three days. Suryakant Pathak, head of the Mahasangh said this was done in view of the spread of the coronavirus(COVID 19) in the city.
"Shops dealing with essential commodities like food grains, milk, eggs and fresh vegetables will obviously be open," he said. Pune has around 1 lakh small and large shops in the retail and wholesale category which sell goods ranging from shoes to clothes. All these shops, Pathak said will be shut for the three days starting Tuesday.
On Monday, the Poona Merchant's Association has clarified that the wholesale shops in the marketyard dealing in food grains, cooking oil, sugar etc will remain functional in view of the government's call for them to remain so. The state government has asked shops and malls to remain close to check the spread of nCOVID 19.
Eight people were placed in home quarantine in Bhandara in Maharashtra on Monday for suspected exposure to novel coronavirus, officials said. They are between the age of 25 and 68 and had recently travelled to United Arab Emirates and United States among other nations, an official said. One of the patients in home isolation told PTI that he had returned from abroad nine days ago and was asked to remain indoors for two weeks. (PTI)
The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee on Monday banned the entry of foreigners who have not completed their 15-day stay in India in all gurdwaras in the city to check the transmission of novel coronavirus. Manjinder Singh Sirsa, president, DSGMC said the decision comes into effect immediately. "Only foreigners who have been staying in India for more than 15 days and tested negative for coronavirus will be allowed to visit gurdwaras," he said. Sirsa said common areas and railings, lifts, chairs etc will be disinfected regularly. Gurdwara authorities have also discontinued providing headscarves to devotees in all Delhi gurdwaras as a preventive measure to check the spread of the deadly disease. (PTI)
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi on Monday announced the closure of cinema theatres, malls, amusement parks, swimming pools, gymnasiums, zoos, and museums till March 31. The government also announced to shut down all schools, colleges, universities and other educational Institutions till March 31. Public examination for 10th and 12th standard students to be continued as per schedule. All tourist resorts in the state to be closed till March 31. They have been instructed not to accept any advance bookings until March 31.
One more active case of coronavirus was reported from Bangalore aftr a 32-year-old man tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. The patient returned from US via London on March 8. He was on home quarantine, but now he is admitted to the isolation facility. However, the Health Ministry is yet to confirm this.
The Ministry of Health in a press conference said that the passengers travelling from European Union countries, European Free Trade Association, Turkey, and UK to India have been prohibited from March 18. The announcement comes on a day when the active coronavirus cases in India rose to 114, with one new case reported from Ladakh, Odisha, Jammu and Kashmir, and Kerala each. It added that the travel restrictions have been further tightened to prevent spread of COVID-19 from high-risk areas.
The Health Ministry in a press conference on Monday reiterated the measures which need to be taken by the people to avoid the spread of coronavirus and fight it away. "Important measures including closing of schools, swimming pools, malls, allow employees to work from home,less use of public transport, 1 meter distance between people should be maintained till 31st March," said Lav Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry. Dammu Ravi, Ministry of External Affairs said that the prime minister 24x7 MEA COVID-19 control room has now become operational.
Amid the growing cases of coronavirus in the country, food joints like Domino's Pizza India are also taking several measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. Take a look at how Domino's is working-
The coronavirus epidemic sweeping Europe is stifling hope of a first-quarter upswing and will weigh on Germany's economy until at least the third quarter, the Economy Ministry said, even after more measures were unveiled on Monday to cushion the blow. With almost 5,000 people infected and 12 dead in official figures published at the weekend, Germany is preparing for serious disruption. Some border controls have been reinstated and regions are introducing ever more severe lockdown measures. The Economy Ministry warned that even in a best case scenario where the severed supply chains that link Germany's export-dependent economy to the world are quickly repaired, stabilisation would come in the third quarter at the earliest. "The strength and duration of the impact cannot yet reliably be forecast," the ministry said. But given the virus's rapid spread "we have to anticipate significant economic impacts". Germany temporarily reintroduced border controls at the weekend with Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg and Denmark, while schools are shut across the country. (Reuters)
The Minister of External Affairs on Monday issued helpline numbers to tackle the coronavirus outbreak in the country. The Ministry of Health had reported on Monday that the cases increased to 114, with one fresh case being reported from Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Odisha, and Ladakh. The helpline numbers are -
Control Room: 1800118797 (toll-free)
+91- 11- 23012113
+91- 11- 23014104
+91- 11- 23017905
Fax: +91- 011- 23018158 (fax)
Email: covid19@mea.gov.in
The Tamil Nadu government on Monday said that the shops or medical stores which are selling masks or hand sanitizers at a higher rate will face legal action. It also urged the people in the state to register a complaint on such entities through the TNLMCTS app or can dial 044-24321438.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said a round-the-clock vigil is on with help of the control room set up to monitor coronavirus threat in the state. "The surveillance team is maintaining round-the-clock vigil and creating awareness through helpline numbers in the state to effectively deal with the spread of the virus," the UP chief minister, who inspected the state control room set up at the office of Directorate General (Health) here said. "Corona is in stage II in the state and a detailed review would be done on March 20 after which necessary decisions will be taken," he said, adding proper attention is being paid on the advisory issued by the Centre. He said directives have been issued to set up a "state of the art" control room equipped with all modern facilities, so as to deal effectively with the epidemic and other diseases and control them in a better manner. (PTI)
The functioning of the principal seat of the Bombay High Court, as well as its benches at Nagpur, Aurangabad and High Court of Bombay at Goa, restricted to 12 pm to 2 pm starting from March 17 until further orders in view as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus. Only urgent matters will be taken up. The circular, issued by acting chief justice through registrar general, directed its registry to reduce work strength by 50 per cent. District, sessions and other subordinate courts are directed to reduce attendance of staff and ensure working hours not more than 3 hours a day.
The West Bengal Election Commission on Monday postponed the local body polls in the state in view of the coronavirus outbreak, reported news agency ANI.
Maharashtra government on Monday proposed a plan to stamp arriving international passengers on hand who need home isolation. Officials said they proposed this to the state government and the chief minister as the only measure to confirm home isolation. "We are noticing that home quarantine is not being followed despite government advisories and visits by health workers. To stop community transmission, it is necessary to bring such people to public notice," a senior state official said. When contacted, state health minister Rajesh Tope said, "We will stamp on all international passengers flying to Maharashtra. Two lines stating they need quarantine till a specific date will be stamped. If they step out, people will notice the stamp and caution them."
Mumbai's famous Siddhivinayak Temple will be closes entry to devotees till further orders in view of the coronavirus outbreak in the state. Maharastra has till now reported 32 active cases of coronavirus.
Iran's death toll from the new coronavirus has reached 853, with 129 new deaths in the past 24 hours, a health ministry official tweeted on Monday, adding that a total of 14,991 people have been infected across Iran. "In the past 24 hours we had 1,053 confirmed new cases of coronavirus and 129 new deaths," Alireza Vahabzadeh tweeted. To contain the outbreak in Iran, one of the deadliest outside of China, officials have called on people to stay at home. "Based on the figures, we have past the peak of the outbreak, but I still suggest people stay at home, and in case of urgency, observe all health protocols," said President Hassan Rouhani, according to state TV. (Reuters)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said that the closure of the educational institutions in the state will be extended till April 15. She also added that a Rs 200 crore fund will be created in the state to tackle the coronavirus spread. (PTI)
The Ministry of Health on Monday said that the coronavirus cases in India rose to 114, with one fresh new case being reported from Ladakh, Odisha, J-K and Kerala.
The Coordination Committee of All District Court Bar Associations of Delhi passed a resolution on Monday to abstain from work and only take up urgent cases like bail hearings.
Days before the Donald Trump administration declared national emergency to combat the coronavirus pandemic, a video clip of a prominent American televangelist claiming he can cure his viewers of the virus directly from the TV studio has gone viral.
Televangelist Kenneth Copeland made the outlandish declaration on ‘Victory’ channel during a programme “Standing Against Coronavirus”. In the now-viral clip, Copeland was seen asking his viewers to touch the television screen in order to receive the spiritual healing.
With his right arm dripping in some sort of liquid, Copeland stretched it towards the camera and said, “Thank you, Lord Jesus. He received your healing. Now say it: I take it. I have it. It’s mine. I thank you and praise you for it.” At the end of the ‘ritual’, the Texas-based preacher said “I’m healed”, implying that he has healed everyone who was watching his show. Watch here
A PIL was moved in the Delhi High Court on Monday seeking direction to the Registrar General to take steps in scheduling court hearings through appointments or distributing the case list in time slots, to prevent overcrowding in the premises in view of coronavirus pandemic. The plea said the normal functioning of courts in Delhi commences at 10 AM and litigants and lawyers often reach the court premises around this time, leading to crowding at various points, including gate pass windows, parking, entries to the court buildings and court rooms. It said that the Registrar General of the high court be directed to mention a particular time for each matter listed in a court. The petitioner, advocate Aarti Manchanda, said no fair reason is given as to why all litigants are required to report the court at 10 am, when sometimes their matters reach at 12 PM or afterwards. (PTI)
The Delhi government on Monday announced that it will start its Budget session from March 23 to March 27, news agency ANI reported. The Budget will be presented on March 25, with Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Manish Sisodia present.
Tripura on Monday announced that it will shut down all state-run and private schools, colleges, universities, cinema halls, swimming pools, gymnasiums to prevent possible spread of coronavirus in the state. The restrictions will commence from Tuesday and will continue till March 31. However, the board exams conducted by Tripura Board of Secondary Education (TBSE) would continue as scheduled, Tripura Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar said. He added that Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb convened a meeting earlier on Monday which resolved to shut down these educational institutions along with hostels associated with educational institutions from March 21. Anganwadi centers will remain closed from Tuesday till March 31 as well. However, such centers will provide food on take-home basis. Out of 78 persons identified with history of recent travel to affected countries or those with symptoms so far in the state, two have been kept in quarantine and their test reports have been found negative. These include one who had returned to Tripura from a trip to Germany on Sunday. "There is no patient found positive with the disease. But we are taking all precautions to ensure we don't get the disease here. Restrictions will also come into effect on visits at old age homes and prisons", the Chief Secretary informed.
In a unique way, people amid lockdown in Italy are finding comfort by playing games from the windows of their houses. Watch yourself!
Reserve Bank of India governor Shaktikanta Das is holding a press conference at 4 pm on Monday as market mayhem continues due to concerns coronavirus (Covid-19)pandemic. There are speculations that Das may announce a rate cut. If it happens, this will be first inter-meeting rate reduction since the monetary policy committee was instituted in February 2016. The hurried presser comes amid widespread call for a rate cut following similar steps by the world’s leading central banks.
The US Federal Reserve has cut the policy rates to near zero levels in a span of 10 days. Similarly, the Bank of England has also slashed the rates by 50 basis points, and so did the European Central Bank. Read more
The Karnataka government on Monday decided to create "war-rooms" in state-run medical colleges-district hospitals in its fight against COVID-19. Medical Education Minister Sudhakar K noted that there are a total of 17 districts where there are government medical colleges attached with hospitals. Such medical colleges-government hospitals would themselves act as "war-rooms" to deal with the Coronavirus outbreak, he told reporters. "In each medical colleges-government hospitals, separate 150-200 bed zones will be created (to deal with such cases)", he said after a meeting with Directors of Government-run medical colleges. Health department officials said in the remaining 13 districts, the government would reach out to private medical colleges and hospitals to join hands to contain the spread of the virus. (PTI)
An India-centric American pharma sector advocacy group has lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's action plan to combat the novel coronavirus with SAARC leaders, saying that his strategy to take proactive steps with graded response is a smart approach to tackle this unprecedented situation. In a video-conference of SAARC members on Sunday, Prime Minister Modi proposed setting up a COVID-19 emergency fund with India committing USD 10 million initially for it, and asserted that the best way to deal with the pandemic was by coming together and not growing apart. "Prime Minister Modi's views and action plan to combat the novel coronavirus with SAARC leaders is laudable. His strategy to take proactive steps with graded response is a smart approach to tackle this complex and unprecedented situation," said Karun Rishi, president of USA India Chamber of Commerce (USAIC). (PTI)
The Securities Appellate Tribunal will only hear urgent matters as a precaution to coronavirus, it said in a statement on Monday. The statement added that the SAT will restrict courtroom access and work from 11:30 am to 4:30 pm till March 27.
The Assam government will now start scanning the domestic passengers also to stop the spread of coronavirus in the state, said health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday. "If Coronavirus enters Assam, it will not be very easy to tackle it in Assam because there are so many difficult to reach, remote areas in the state," he added.
Taiwan reported eight new cases of coronavirus on Monday, its biggest daily rise, though all of them involved people who had arrived from overseas. The total number of cases in Taiwan stood at 67. Among the latest cases were people returning to the island from Austria and Germany. On Saturday, Taiwan said it would begin requiring a 14-day quarantine for all people arriving from Europe's Schengen border-free travel zone as well as Britain and Ireland. And in a statement on Monday, the government said it was expanding its travel warnings, to advise people not to go unless they absolutely must to 13 Eastern European countries, 15 Middle Eastern countries, five North African countries and a further nine in Central Asia. (Reuters)
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday announced that any gathering – religious, family, social, political or cultural – of over 50 people will not be allowed in the national capital in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus, which has claimed one life in the national capital so far.
The ban on gatherings, the Aam Aadmi Party chief indicated, will also cover the Shaheen Bagh protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, National Register of Citizens and National Population Register.
“We have also decided to shut gyms, night clubs, spas till March 31. And gatherings of over 50 people, be it religious, social, political, family, or cultural, will also be not allowed. Marriage functions will be out of its purview as of now but we appeal to people to postpone weddings if possible,” Kejriwal told reporters. Read more
The Telangana government on Monday said that the passengers arriving in Hyderabad, either Indian or foreigners, from countries like China, Iran, Italy, South Korea, France, Germany, Spain in direct flights or via hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi etc, having a travel history to these countries after February 15 will be quarantined for 14 days in view of the rising cases of the novel coronavirus disease. The statement released by the government also gives a procedure which will be followed in the quarantine of the people.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said that the Bihar government will be bearing the full expenses of treatment of the coronavirus patients in the state. He also announced that in case of any death, the government will provide an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the next of the kin of the deceased. (PTI)
"There are two possible ways to react to a viral pandemic. One would be like Singapore, to initiate a system-wide, coherent medical response. And the other is to be Donald Trump and call it a ‘foreign virus’ and instigate xenophobia. The social psychology of pandemic is not easy to influence but the message needs to be clear- ‘virus has no face and no race’. Public health efforts must consider the social psychology of pandemics if we want both the virus and the fear to stop spreading," write Sagar Atre and Mukta Gundi. Read more on this opinion
One more person from Yavatmal has tested positive on Monday after examination of her fresh sample, taking the total number of Covid 19 positive cases from Yavatmal to three. Collector M D Singh told The Indian Express, "we had quarantined nine persons, who had returned from Dubai on March 1 after a seven - day tour in the isolation ward of Government Medical College here last week. Two of them had tested positive and seven had tested negative for virus in the test conducted last week. But a lady had subsequently developed symptoms. So we had sent her throat swabs samples to Nagpur for examination. On Monday we received the report where she had tested positive."
The influential Indian-American doctors' community in the US has commended the steps being taken by the President Donald Trump-led administration in tackling the coronavirus outbreak which has claimed 69 lives and infected over 3,700 in the country.
"The Trump administration's proactive handling of the coronavirus situation is commendable," Dr Narendra Kumar, former president of the American Association of Physicians of Indian-Origin (AAPI), said in a statement issued through Al Mason, a supporter of India-US relations, who over the weekend connected over 1,000 reputed Indian-American doctors from both Democrat and Republican parties to get their feedback on the handling of the COVID-19 issue. (PTI)
The Bombay High Court asked Mumbai University to respond to Maharashtra Government’s order that suspended classes at State Universities including the University of Mumbai and all their affiliated colleges till March 31 in wake of coronavirus outbreak, but final degree examinations and practicals will be conducted as per schedule.
A division bench of acting chief justice Bhushan P Dharmadhikari was hearing a Public Interest Litigation ( PIL) filed by educationist Sagar Jondhale seeking measures to curb the spread of Coronavirus including the establishment of an epidemic control board, postponement of exams, update in detection mechanism at airports, postponing of municipal elections among others. Read more...
The map below shows coronavirus-hit regions across the world. (Source: COVID-19 tracker, bing.com/covid)
Amid fears over the spread of coronavirus among prisoners, the Supreme Court on Monday took suo moto cognisance of overcrowding in prisons across the states and sought a response from authorities on the measures taken to prevent the outbreak by March 20. Taking note of the condition of prisons as well as remand homes, the court said some states have not taken appropriate measures to prevent the spread of the virus. “Mass gathering is a huge problem and it can become the centre for the spread of coronavirus,” the court observed. Read more...