13:47 (IST)
Coronavirus in China Latest Updates
Sonia Gandhi urges PM to take measures for wage support to construction workers
Expressing concern over the plight of construction workers after the country-wide lockdown over coronavirus, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to announce emergency measures, including wage support to those in distress.
In a letter to the prime minister, Gandhi said over 44 million construction workers are now faced with a "precarious" future as many of them are stranded in cities and are deprived of livelihood due to the lockdown.
She said the country is in the midst of the worst global pandemic and this has necessitated stringent measures for containment and management of the COVID-19 transmission. "These measures have led to widespread economic disruptions that had a debilitating impact on the informal sector," she noted.
13:44 (IST)
Coronavirus in China Latest Updates
India 'had time to prepare' to face the COVID-19 crisis, says Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter to say the current situation could have been avoided if the coronavirus threat had been taken seriously at the time time. 'I am feeling sad, because this was completely avoidable. We had time to prepare. We should have taken this threat much more seriously and have been much better prepared,' he tweeted.
I am feeling sad, because this was completely avoidable. We had time to prepare. We should have taken this threat much more seriously and have been much better prepared. #CoronavirusPandemic https://t.co/dpRTCg8No9
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 24, 2020
13:37 (IST)
Coronavirus in China Latest Updates
China to lift lockdown over epicentres Hubei province, Wuhan
China on Tuesday said it will lift the travel curbs in Hubei province, where the deadly coronavirus first emerged last year, on Wednesday and will end the three-month lockdown of its capital Wuhan on April 8, lifting the mass quarantine over the city with a population of over 11 million as the COVID-19 began to abate.
Wuhan, the central Chinese city where the virus cases were first detected in December last year on Monday reported one new confirmed case of the COVID-19 after reporting zero cases for five consecutive days.
Hubei province and Wuhan which together have over 56 million population were kept under strict lockdown since January 23 with a ban on all movement of people and transportation.
13:35 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Woman booked for escaping home quarantine in Maharashtra
A 35-year-old woman, who was asked to remain under home quarantine after her return from Sharjah, fled to her parent's house in Uttar Pradesh from Maharashtra's Nagpur city, police said on Tuesday.
The woman arrived at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur on 15 March, and with no obvious symptoms of coronavirus, she was asked to remain under home quarantine for 14 days, an official from Sonepur police station said.
The incident came to light on Monday, when a team of doctors visited her home and found her missing, following which the police were roped in to investigate, he said.
13:33 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
UP govt issues orders on not stopping vehicles carrying essential commodities
In a bid to prevent a shortage of essential commodities in the locked-down districts of the state, the Uttar Pradesh government has issued directives on not stopping the vehicles carrying these items.
"Some restrictions have been imposed because of the lockdown in some districts on the movement of vehicles and trucks carrying goods have been stopped. This could lead to a shortage of essential commodities, the directives issued by Additional Chief Secretary Awanish Kumar Awasthi said.
13:24 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
42 booked in Odisha's Berhampur for defying lockdown
Police have booked 42 persons in Berhampur city in Odishas Ganjam district for defying the lockdown imposed in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, officials said on Tuesday. At least four cases have been registered in this connection in three police stations, sub-divisional police officer BP Pati told PTI.
While two cases were registered in Goshaninuagaon police station against 30 people, one case each was registered in Bada Bazar and Town police stations against eight and four persons, respectively, he said.
The government has advised the people not to venture out unnecessarily during the lockdown and maintain social distancing.
13:15 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Aviation minister seeks protection for airline staffers being harassed by neighbours
As India's two major airlines Indigo and Air India reported harassment of their crew members by neighbours amid coronavirus pandemic, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Tuesday that he has "requested" authorities concerned to extend all possible support and protection to the crew and their family members.
Amid major disruption due to the coronavirus outbreak in the aviation sector, IndiGo had stated on Monday that there have been some instances where its employees were ostracised by their communities as a result of their "line of duty and travel history".
Air India had stated on Sunday that vigilante resident welfare associations (RWAs) and neighbours were ostracising and calling police on its crew members who went abroad as a part of their duty.
I respect the selfless commitment & determination of our professionals & have requested concerned authorities to extend all possible help, support & protection to them & their families including to those who are in self-quarantine. #IndiaFightsCorona
— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) March 24, 2020
13:02 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Odisha extends lockdown to entire state
The whole of Odisha will be under lockdown from Tuesday midnight because of the coronavirus threat, a top state government official said. Fourteen of the state's 30 districts are already under a lockdown.
The government's chief spokesperson on COVID-19, Subroto Bagchi, said the shutdown will be in force till 29 March. He said the decision was taken after the state's chief secretary chaired a meeting with all district collectors.
12:56 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Centre advises states to impose curfew wherever necessary
As people continue to venture out despite lockdown, the Centre has advised state governments and union territory administrations to impose curfew wherever necessary in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, officials said on Tuesday.
A top functionary of the central government has called up some of the chief ministers and apprised them of the necessity of imposing the curfew if people continue to venture out of their homes.
The state governments and the union territory administrations have been advised to impose curfew wherever necessary as many people continue to go out of their homes despite the lockdown ordered to check the spread of the virus, a government official told PTI.
12:54 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Nirmala Sitharaman to address media at 2 pm via video conference
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said she would address the media at 2 pm today amid preparations of preparing an economic package that is likely to help the country through the coronavirus lockdown. She said in a tweet that the package would be announced soon on priority and that she would give the media presser through video conference. Her speech will be specifically be focused on statutory and regulatory compliance matters.
Even as we are readying an economic package to help us through the Corona lockdown (on priority, to be announced soon) I will address the media at 2pm today, specifically on statutory and regulatory compliance matters. Via video conference. @FinMinIndia @PIB_India @ANI @PTI_News
— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) March 24, 2020
12:40 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Delhi Police chief meet LG Baijal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia and Health Minister Satyendar Jain met Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Tuesday to discuss measures to contain the spread of coronavirus in the National Capital.
Delhi Police Commissioner SN Srivastava also attended the high-level meeting at the LG office, an official said. The situation emerging out of the coronavirus outbreak was discussed in the meeting, they said.
12:39 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
India reports 10th death; 64-year-old dies in Mumbai
A 64-year-old man who was admitted to Kasturba hospital on 23 March, died within a few hours of admission. He had returned from the UAE and had travelled to Ahmedabad on 15 March, returned to Mumbai on 20 March. He had been suffering fever, cough, and got admitted yesterday. This is India's tenth death since the coronavirus outbreak.
12:37 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Media house alleges Mumbai Police of harassing staffers on duty
Taking to Twitter, Hindustan Times' editor Sachin Kalbag alleged that Mumbai Police's patrol staff were assaulting media office car drivers who go to pick up reporters and other critical staff needed to run a publication. He said that all drivers had official letters of statement of purpose and yet were harassed.
In a series of tweets, he urged the police to prevent further harassment of media staffers.
Dear @CPMumbaiPolice, I sincerely hope that you will use your influence to tell your staff not to harass media support staff and those who are out on genuine work. @MumbaiPolice @AnilDeshmukhNCP @OfficeofUT @AUThackeray
— Sachin Kalbag (@SachinKalbag) March 24, 2020
12:32 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Authorities tighten curbs in Kashmir, 49 arrested for violating lockdown order
Authorities in Kashmir tightened curbs on the movement of people to prevent the spread of coronavirus on Tuesday, a day after 49 people were arrested for violating the lockdown order, officials said.
Restrictions were intensified with security forces sealing off many roads and erecting barricades to check unwanted movement of people across the valley to enforce the lockdown for containing the spread of the coronavirus infection, the officials said.
They said the authorities ordered stricter restrictions on Tuesday in view of the instances of non-cooperation and violations of restrictions from the general public reported at several places across the valley.
12:25 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
No new case in Delhi for last 24 hours, says Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said no new coronavirus case has been reported in the National Capital in the last 24 hours and the biggest challenge now is to not let the situation go out of control. Five people infected with COVID-19 have been discharged from hospitals after getting treatment.
12:22 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
87 people who came in contact with COVID-19 Pune patient quarantined
As many as 87 people, including some anganwadi workers, who came in contact with a 41-year-old woman diagnosed with COVID-19 have been home quarantined in Maharashtra's Pune district, a health official said on Tuesday.
The woman, who is also an anganwadi (state-run woman and child care centre) worker in Panshet region of Velha tehsil, is admitted to a city-based hospital and continues to be on ventilator support due to respiratory failure, he said.
She tested positive for COVID-19 earlier after her throat swabs were sent to the National Institute of Virology to check for the possibility of swine flu (H1N1).
Her five close relatives - son, husband, sister, sister's husband and the latter's daughter - also tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday, the official said.
12:12 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Update
Haryana shuts down as lockdown comes into effect
Entire Haryana went under lockdown on Tuesday, a day after the state government issued the order to help check the spread of coronavirus.
The Haryana government had earlier ordered lockdown in Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Panipat, Jhajjar, Rohtak and Panchkula districts till March 31 but later decided to extend the measure to the entire state.
However, all essential and emergency services are exempted, officials said. During the lockdown, all commercial establishments, shops and factories will remain closed, except those dealing in essential commodities like food, grocery, medicines, etc., they said.
12:10 (IST)
Coronavirus in US Latest Updates
US lawyer files $20 trillion lawsuit against China for outbreak
American lawyer Larry Klayman has filed a USD 20 trillion lawsuit against China for the creation and the release of the novel coronavirus that has infected more than 334,000 people globally.
Larry Klayman, his advocacy group Freedom Watch and Buzz Photos, a Texas company, filed the lawsuit in the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas, alleging that the novel coronavirus was "designed by China to be a biological weapon of war", and that whether or not the country intended to release it, China violated "US law, international laws, treaties, and norms."
"Because China has agreed by treaty to outlaw such weapons, these actions cannot be official governmental actions of the People''s Republic of China and are not subject to any possible claim of legal immunity from suit," the lawsuit said, as cited by Law and Crime.
It went on to allege that the purpose of maintaining the virus within the laboratory was to use it to "kill US citizens and other persons and entities in nations perceived to be an enemy of China."
12:07 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
COVID-19 test and treatment likely to be covered under Ayushman Bharat scheme
Coronavirus test and treatment may soon be covered under the government's health insurance scheme Ayushman Bharat, official sources said on Tuesday.
The National Health Authority, responsible for the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, has decided to include the test and treatment of the respiratory ailment in its packages and has sought permission from its governing board, they said.
"We will be implementing it once the approval is given and as soon as the government allows treatment of COVID-19 patients in private hospitals," an official said.
12:02 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
23 year old tweeted about testing positive before taking flight from UK
Ningombam Vimi (23) was found infected with the first coronavirus case in North East India, whose account has since been deleted, had tweeted about her being tested positive for the novel virus. In a series of tweets she was seen asking if her Air India flight to India was cancelled or not.
11:59 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Manipur patient's name not on govt list
Ningombam Vimi (23) was found infected with the first coronavirus case in North East India following a medical examination at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal. She is a resident of Thangmeiband Lourung Purely Leikai in Imphal.
She had then taken a direct flight from Kolkata to Imphal with stopover in Tripura capital - Agartala on 21 March. According to reports, her name was not on the government list containing the names of 99 people who had arrived in the state in recent times from various coronavirus-affected countries and are now in house quarantine.
11:47 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Rajya Sabha elections deferred
The Election Commission deferred the 26 March Rajya Sabha elections amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Elections to 55 Rajya Sabha seats were scheduled to be held later this week.
11:33 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Armed forces evacuated 1,186 people from abroad
The armed forces have evacuated 1186 people, including medical staff and air crew, from foreign countries. "At present, there are 796 people in quarantine under military supervision," Indian Army spokesperson Col Aman Anand said.
Anand added that only two positive cases have come till now and they are being managed at civil hospitals, along with two 2 more persons with some symptoms. "More evacuees are expected soon," he said.
11:26 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Free rice, sugar to ration card holders in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami announced that free rice, sugar and other essential commodities, apart from an amount of Rs 1,000 will be given to ration card holders in the state. He added that commodities will be issued on token basis to avoid long queues.
11:22 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Confirmed cases in Maharashtra rise to 101
The number of confirmed cases in Maharashtra rose to 101, health officials told PTI. Maharashtra currently has the highest number of onfirmed cases in India.
Three new cases were reported in Pune and one in Satara.
11:17 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
PM to address nation at 8 pm
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation at 8 pm regarding the vital aspects relating to the COVID-19 menace.
His announcement comes even as the number of confirmed cases in India soared to 492.
11:04 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Two test positive in West Bengal
Two more people tested positive for coronavirus in West Bengal, PTI reported, taking the total number of cases in the state to eight.
10:50 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Two test positive in Gujarat; state tally climb to 33
Two new positive cases of coronavirus are recorded in Gujarat, total cases mount to 33, stated the Gujarat Principal Secretary (Health) Jayanti Ravi. She also said that the government was surveying 27,000 people in the state who have recent travel history.
10:45 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
VISUALS | Images of Municipal Hospital being sanitised by the Mumbai Fire Service
Maharashtra:Work of sanitisation of Municipal Hospital is underway by a team of Mumbai Fire Services. An officer says,"We're using Quick Response Vehicle to spray disinfectant Sodium Hydrochloride Solution diluted in water. Priority to be given to quarantine facilities." #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/OVwcYaIvii
— ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2020
10:43 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
23-year-old Manipur girl, who returned from UK becomes first case in North East India
A 23-year-old Manipur-based girl who recently returned from the UK has been tested positive for coronavirus, marking the first case in the North-East region of the country. She is currently undergoing treatment at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) hospital in Imphal.
The patient hails from Thangmeiband, Imphal West.
10:30 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
560 districts in India under complete lockdown
The number of states and Union Territories (UTs) which have imposed a lockdown has increased to 32 from 30 last night. The number of districts under lockdown has increased to 560 from 548.
Some of the states that have imposed a complete curfew are Delhi, Maharashtra and Punjab. Tamil Nadu will be imposing Section 144 from 6.00 pm today. The Nagaland government also promulgate prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC in Dimapur district from today.
10:23 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Amitabh Bachchan deletes tweet on 'clapping vibrations destroy virus potency' after backlash
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan on Monday was heavily criticised for one of his tweets, which claimed vibrations from clapping, blowing conch shells as part of Sunday's Janta Curfew would have reduced or destroyed coronavirus potency as it was 'Amavasya', the darkest day of the month.
Bachchan's tweet comes in the wake of several similar fake news stories misinterpreting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal of clapping and clanking plates to express gratitude to those providing essential services during this global health crisis.
10:19 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Domestic air passenger arrested in Kochi for refusing to follow norms
A 54-year-old domestic passenger was arrested at the airport here for allegedly refusing to follow instructions given by doctorsfor prevention of the spread of novel coronavirus, police said here on Tuesday.
Lami Arackal from Ernakulam, who landed from Chennai at the Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery on Monday night, was arrested based on a complaint from health officials, they said. He was, however, later released on bail.
Arackal allegedly refused to wear mask and follow other instructions to be observed by the passengers coming from other states as part of the measures to check COVID-19 spread. He also allegedly misbehaved with the medical officers, police said.
10:13 (IST)
Coronavirus in US Latest Updates
Rapid test with 45-min detection time gets fast-tracked, greenlit by US FDA
The American Food and Drug Administration has approved the first rapid diagnostic test for the novel coronavirus, which could encourage quicker and more testing for the infection, amidst the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.
With a detection time of about 45 minutes, the test couldn't have come at a better time – as the United States, China, India and many nations barring the EU, struggle to meet the rapidly growing demand for coronavirus testing.
The test was developed by California-based molecular diagnostics company Cepheid.
10:10 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Maharashtra surpasses Kerala with most number of cases
The number of coronavirus cases in Maharashtra has reached 101 on Tuesday. Four more patients were tested positive in Pune and one was tested positive in Satara.
10:06 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Apollo launches 24/7 risk assessment scanner
Apollo 24/7 has launched an artificial intelligence-based free app to guide users on the novel coronavirus. The self assessment scan has been developed on the basis of guidelines from the WHO and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the government of India.
10:03 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
113 Indian brought back from Malaysia
Out of the 113 passengers who were brought back from Malaysia on board an Air Asia flight to Chennai, Tamil Nadu last night, nine symptomatic passengers were referred to hospital. The remaining 104 were taken to an Air Force quarantine facility in Tambaram, reports ANI.
09:56 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
I&B ministry asks states to ensure 'operational continuity' of print, electronic media
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has directed all states and union territories to ensure "operational continuity" of print and electronic media in view of the coronavirus outbreak.
In a letter to the chief secretaries of all states and union territories on March 23, the ministry said robust and essential information dissemination networks like TV channels, news agencies "are of utmost importance to ensure timely and authentic information dissemination".
09:54 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Mumbai Police alerts people on fake directive
Taking to Twitter, Mumbai Police issued an advisory against the spread of fake news. The tweet said that "no such directions" have been given by them. They asked citizens to warn them in case of any doubt and to dial 100 or tweet to them.
Rumours are no less infectious than #coronavirus ! This looks like a meticulous list, but a fake one too! Please note that no such directions have been given by @CPMumbaiPolice . In case of any doubt, please #Dial100 or tweet to us! #TakingOnCorona pic.twitter.com/EQcHWGa0rU
— Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) March 24, 2020
09:49 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Market rebounds; Sensex, Nifty give up initial gains; all indices in red
Benchmark indices erased most of its early gains but trading higher with Nifty above 7700. The Sensex is up 369.34 points or 1.42 percent at 26350.58, and the Nifty up 108.40 points or 1.42 percent at 7718.65. About 559 shares have advanced, 696 shares declined, and 62 shares are unchanged.
09:47 (IST)
Coronavirus in Australia Latest Updates
Australia reports eighth COVID-19 death
A woman who was infected with the new coronavirus on a cruise ship has become Australia's eighth COVID-19 death.Health authorities say the woman, in her 70s, died in a Sydney hospital on Tuesday, reports The Associated Press.
She was one of the initial three cases confirmed aboard the Ruby Princess and was taken to a hospital on Thursday. So far, 133 passengers from the Ruby Princess have tested positive since the ship docked in Sydney following an 11-day New Zealand cruise.
09:44 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Nearly 500 coronavirus cases in India; 9 deaths, 36 recovered
Nearly 500 coronavirus cases have been reported in India so far, according to Health Ministry data on Tuesday. According to the data updated Tuesday morning, the total number of COVID-19 cases stood at 492.
The figure includes at least 41 foreign nationals and the nine deaths reported so far, the Health Ministry said. The total number of active COVID-19 cases across the country now stands at 446, after over 22 fresh cases were reported.
Thirty-six people have been cured/discharged/migrated, it added.
09:38 (IST)
Coronavirus in US latest updates
Harvey Weinstein tested positive, quarantined, confirms NY state prison head
Harvey Weinstein tested positive for the coronavirus at a state prison in New York while serving a 23-year sentence for rape and sexual assault, the head of the state correctional officers union said Monday.
The 68-year-old former film producer, who was hospitalized with heart issues in recent weeks, was diagnosed and quarantined just days after being transferred to the state’s maximum-security Wende Correctional Facility near Buffalo.
09:24 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Stock market indices in green in opening session
Benchmark indices opened in positive territory on 24 March with Sensex added more than 1000 points.At 09:17 hrs IST, the Sensex is up 1,212.60 points or 4.67 percent at 27193.84, and the Nifty up 353.85 points or 4.65 percent at 7964.10.
09:22 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Northeast reports first case
Manipur has reported the first case of COVID-19 in Northeast India, say reports. Northeast Now reports that a 23-year-old from Imphal (west) has been identified as the first confirmed case in the state.
09:12 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
Lockdown extends to more districts, incoming travellers barred
The government ordered a complete lockdown in 30 states and Union Territories, covering a total of 548 districts in the country.
Meanwhile, the Home ministry decided to stop incoming passengers on all 107 immigration posts, including airports, seaports and land ports.
As of Tuesday morning, toll due to COVID-19 rose to 9 and the number of cases stood at 468, including 424 active cases.
09:07 (IST)
Coronavirus in India Latest Updates
WATCH | Shaheen Bagh protestors removed from site
Delhi Police removed anti-CAA protestors from Shaheen Bagh, which has seen the agitation since over 100 days. Till Monday, four protestors sat at the site despite the coronavirus outbreak and even after the government announced a lockdown in the National Capital. The remaining protestors left their slippers at the site in a symbol of solidarity with the protest.
On Monday, the Supreme Court was to hear a plea regarding the removal of the protestors from Road 13A, but itwas not taken updue to the partial shutdown of the apex court.
#WATCH Delhi Police clears the protest site in Shaheen Bagh area, amid complete lockdown in the national capital, in wake of #Coronavirus pic.twitter.com/N6MGLTLs5Z
— ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2020
08:53 (IST)
Coronavirus in India latest updates
Madhya Pradesh imposes curfew in Bhopal, Jabalpur
The Madhya Pradesh government has imposed curfew in Bhopal and Jabalpur cities, where coronavirus cases have been found. Soon after assuming charge, state Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a meeting around Monday midnight and issued the directives.
During the meeting, Chouhan reviewed the coronavirus situation in the state and directed for imposition of curfew in the capital city Bhopal and Jabalpur. So far, five cases of coronavirus have been found in Jabalpur and one in Bhopal.
Lockdown has so far been ordered in 39 out of the total 51 districts of the state in view of the coronavirus pandemic, a public relations department official said.
08:47 (IST)
Coronavirus in India latest updates
Tihar Jail to release 3,000 prisoners to ease congestion
The Tihar Prison authorities said they are planning to release around 3,000 prisoners to ease congestion in jails over the coronavirus threat. "We will try to release around 1,500 convicts on parole or furlough, and around the same number (1,500) of undertrial prisoners (on interim-bail) in the coming three to four days to ease congestion in jails in the wake of coronavirus threat," Sandeep Goel, DG (Prisons), said.
However, it will not include hardened or dangerous criminals, he said. According to the order, prisoners convicted or charged with offenses having jail term of up to seven years can be given parole.
08:41 (IST)
Coronavirus in China latest updates
Mainland China's new infections up by two-fold to 78 cases
Mainland China saw a doubling in new coronavirus cases, driven by a jump in infected travellers arriving from abroad, while more locally transmitted cases crept into its daily tally, including one in the central city of Wuhan.
China had 78 new cases on Monday, the National Health Commission said, a two-fold increase from a day earlier. Of the new cases, 74 were imported infections, up from 39 a day earlier.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman on Coronavirus Outbreak LIVE Updates: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said she would address the media at 2 pm today amid preparations of preparing an economic package that is likely to help the country through the coronavirus lockdown. She said in a tweet that the package would be announced soon on priority and that she would give the media presser through video conference. Her speech will be specifically be focused on statutory and regulatory compliance matters.
Ahead of Narendra Modi's address, the whole of Odisha will be under lockdown from Tuesday midnight because of the coronavirus threat, a top state government official said. Fourteen of the state's 30 districts are already under a lockdown. The Madhya Pradesh government has also imposed curfew in Bhopal and Jabalpur cities, where coronavirus cases have been found, right after Shivraj Singh Chouhan took oath as chief minister.
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said she would address the media at 2 pm today amid preparations of preparing an economic package that is likely to help the country through the coronavirus lockdown.
India has reported its tenth death on Tuesday after a 64-year-old man who was admitted to Kasturba hospital on 23 March, died within a few hours of admission. He had returned from the UAE and had travelled to Ahmedabad on 15 March, returned to Mumbai on 20 March.
American lawyer Larry Klayman has filed a USD 20 trillion lawsuit against China for the creation and the release of the novel coronavirus that has infected more than 334,000 people globally.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation at 8 pm regarding the vital aspects relating to the COVID-19 menace. Meanwhile, the 26 March Rajya Sabha election to 55 seats, scheduled to be held on 26 March, has been deferred.
Two new positive cases of coronavirus are recorded in Gujarat, total cases mount to 33, stated the Gujarat Principal Secretary (Health) Jayanti Ravi. Meanwhile, a 54-year-old domestic passenger was arrested at the airport here for allegedly refusing to follow instructions given by doctors for the prevention of the spread of novel coronavirus, police said on Tuesday.
The number of states and Union Territories (UTs) which have imposed a lockdown has increased to 32 from 30 last night. The number of districts under lockdown has increased to 560 from 548. The number of coronavirus cases in Maharashtra has reached 101 on Tuesday. Four more patients were tested positive in Pune and one was tested positive in Satara.
Nearly 500 coronavirus cases have been reported in India so far, according to Health Ministry data on Tuesday. According to the data updated Tuesday morning, the total number of COVID-19 cases stood at 492. Benchmark indices erased most of its early gains but trading higher with Nifty above 7700. The Sensex is up 369.34 points or 1.42 percent at 26350.58, and the Nifty up 108.40 points or 1.42 percent at 7718.65.
Benchmark indices opened in positive territory on 24 March with Sensex added more than 1000 points. At 09:17 hrs IST, the Sensex is up 1,212.60 points or 4.67 percent at 27193.84, and the Nifty up 353.85 points or 4.65 percent at 7964.10. Manipur has reported the first case of COVID-19 in Northeast India, say reports. Northeast Now reports that a 23-year-old from Imphal (west) has been identified as the first confirmed case in the state.
The Tihar Prison authorities said they are planning to release around 3,000 prisoners to ease congestion in jails over the coronavirus threat. However, it will not include hardened or dangerous criminals. While in the UK, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has enforced the strictest curbs on movement of people for at least three weeks to try and control the spread of COVID-19 in the country, where the death toll has reached 335.
Security was tightened at the protest site in Shaheen Bagh, on Tuesday, after a prohibitory order under section 144 CrPC has been promulgated in Delhi, with the police clearing out the protest site. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that the pandemic of disease caused by the coronavirus is accelerating, with more than 300,000 cases now recorded and infections reported from nearly every country worldwide.
The number of deaths in India due to the novel coronavirus rose to nine on Monday with 468 testing positive as the Centre announced a lockdown in 22 states and Union Territories across the country and the Indian Council of Medical Research recommended the use of an anti-malarial drug in cases of high risk.
The health ministry, in its daily press briefing on Monday, said Chandigarh, Delhi, Goa, Jammu and Kashmir, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Ladakh, Jharkhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Tripura, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh are under complete lockdown.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked captains of industry to ensure that the production of essential items is not impacted in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak and there is no hoarding and black marketing. "The impact on the economy will be felt for some time to come," said Modi as he exhorted India Inc to adopt a humanitarian approach and not to cut down on the workforce in spite of the COVID-19 negative impact on their businesses.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that companies' expenditure to fight the coronavirus pandemic will be considered valid under corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities. The coronavirus outbreak will be treated as a disaster, the Finance Minister said on Twitter.
The Delhi Police on Monday moved to seal all border pickets in the national capital and said curfew passes will be issued to people associated with essential services as "execution" of the prohibitory orders in the city was "not up to the mark today".
Media persons, however, will not need the passes and their ID cards will suffice, they said.
Details like the format of the application for the passes and from when they will be required, etc are likely to be shared on Tuesday, the police said.
On Sunday, police imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in Delhi till 31 March in view of the coronavirus outbreak, banning protests, and other gatherings.
Section 144 of the CrPC bans the assembly of four or more people in one place.
The Nagaland government will promulgate prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC in Dimapur district from Tuesday to make people stay indoors during the ongoing lockdown declared in the state to contain the coronavirus outbreak, an official said.
The order, issued by Dimapur police commissioner Rothihu Tetseo on Monday, will come into force from 6 am on 24 March, the official said.
Dimapur, a commercial hub of the state, witnessed an "unprecedented" movement of vehicles during the lockdown which began from Sunday midnight, he said.
Police seized a number of taxis for plying on roads, the official said.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has enforced the strictest curbs on movement of people for at least three weeks to try and control the spread of COVID-19 in the country, where the death toll has reached 335.
In a televised address to the nation on Monday evening, he said while no prime minister wants to make such demands on the population, the situation was such that he was forced to clamp down on people's movement and the crackdown on any gatherings of more than two people.
With his central message calling on people to restrict their movements outside their homes only for the very basic essentials, Johnson said, "From this evening I must give the British people a very simple instruction you must stay at home."
In the US, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to prevent hoarding of vital medical supplies and personal protective equipment as the country for the first time registered over 130 deaths in a day due to coronavirus.
Till Monday, more than 43,700 confirmed cases of coronavirus were reported in the United States. Of these, over 10,000 were added in one day, according to Worldometer, a website that compiles COVID-19 cases. With 139 deaths, the number of fatalities crossed 550 by Monday night.
Signing the executive order, Trump said his government would take action against hoarding and excessive pricing of vital medical and personal protective equipment as well as supplies such as hand sanitisers and face masks.
from Firstpost India Latest News https://ift.tt/2WE3QUA
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