With the COVID-19 death toll rising to seven, the Centre and state governments, in a high-level meeting, have decided to completely lock down 75 districts across the country where coronavirus cases have been reported, officials said on Sunday.
New Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan, have announced a complete lockdown that involves shutting down public transport, malls and shops starting Monday.
As the number of deadly COVID-19 positive cases increase in India, it was agreed that there was an urgent need to extend the restrictions on the movement of non-essential passenger transport, including interstate transport buses till March 31.
The districts where lockdown was announced are from states that include Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
All metro rail services were also suspended till March 31 in major cities Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and others.
The total number of novel coronavirus cases in India has crossed 380 on Sunday after fresh cases were reported from various parts of the country.
COVID-19: CHECK THE STATUS OF YOUR STATE HERE
Delhi Airport statement: Passengers of the last international arriving flight have exited the Airport. Operations at T3 international arrivals will remain suspended till 0531 hours of 29th March, 2020. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/WcobFnw79q
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2020
The stamp will bear the time period for mandatory home quarantine period of the individual.
The hospital superintendent has been directed to shift all patients being treated at the facility to other hospitals.
READ FULL REPORT HERE
As there were suspected coronavirus-infected passengers aboard AirAsia India's Pune-Delhi flight last Friday, the pilot-in-command after landing chose to come out of the plane through cockpit's secondary exit, which is a sliding window.
READ FULL REPORT HERE
All assemblies at public places to be restricted to 3 persons or less: Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary, Planning, Jammu & Kashmir https://t.co/s4KCR76QUY
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2020
Section 144 has been imposed in Dakshina Kannada till 31st March, in the wake of #CoronavirusPandemic: Sindhu B. Rupesh, Deputy Commissioner, Dakshina Kannada #Bengaluru
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2020
After the nationwide Janta Curfew that was observed today against COVID-19 outbreak, we have decided to continue the curfew till March 31. We will make sure the availability of essential services such as food, medicines for all, " CM Trivendra Singh Rawat said. READ FULL REPORT HERE
The Telangana Railway Police on Sunday booked cases against five passengers, including two women, for allegedly violating the government's orders by using public transport despite being advised home quarantine on their return here from abroad.
The private bank will function from 10 am to 2 pm till March 31, except on Saturday.
During the lockdown, the movement of all public transport is prohibited and all shops, commercial institutions, offices, factories, godowns, weekly markets will remain closed.
Rajasthan Health Department writes to senior officials of all districts to immediately identify buildings for setting up quarantine facilities for over 1 lakh people as part the govt's preparedness to tackle any emergency situation arising out of #Coronavirus in the state.
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2020
The 49-year old woman was in close contact with the 65-year-old man, who returned from Mecca in Saudi Arabia and tested positive on Sunday evening.
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#coronaupdate: 2 new positive cases of #Covid19. 64 Y F, traveled from California, under isolation at Stanley Med College. 43 Y M, returned from Dubai, under isolation at Tirunelveli Med College. Both the pts are stable. @MoHFW_INDIA #Vijayabaskar
— Dr C Vijayabaskar (@Vijayabaskarofl) March 22, 2020
The state government's chief spokesperson on COVID-19, Subroto Bagchi said all inter-state bus services will remain suspended after 11 am on March 23.
READ FULL REPORT HERE
Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel: Besides essential services all other activities will remain suspended in the state. Section 144 of CrPC will be imposed in the state till March 31. pic.twitter.com/Ggh1yZ9K9V
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2020
#WATCH Live: Union Health Ministry briefs the media on #CoronavirusPandemic, on 22nd March. https://t.co/lkPAudsFHi
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2020
The three are parents of a UK-returned youth, the second positive case of the deadly infection in the state, and a maid working at their residence in Ballygunge area.
READ FULL REPORT HERE
In an official notification, Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh ordered shutdown of all establishments to break the transmission chain of the highly contagious coronavirus.
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The country's largest carmaker MSI halted production at its Gurgaon and Manesar plants with immediate effect, while Honda Cars India Ltd decided to suspend manufacturing at its two plants in the country till March 31. Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) announced to suspend production at its manufacturing plants in Maharashtra.
READ FULL REPORT HERE
"All shops and business establishments barring pharmacies, petrol pumps and grocery stores shall remain closed till further orders. All commercial passenger vehicles such as buses, taxis, auto-rickshaws or two-wheeler taxis shall remain off roads," Chief Secretary Temjen Toy said.
READ FULL REPORT HERE
The Centre on Sunday asked states to designate separate hospitals for treating corona virus patients and the first such dedicated facility for COVID 19 patients could be 800 bedded National Cancer Institute in Jhajjar, Haryana under AIIMS, Delhi.
CM @ysjagan says: This initiative to cost the exchequer about Rs 1500 crore. The financial assistance will be delivered at the doorsteps of the poor by village/ward volunteers. #AndhraPradesh #Covid19 https://t.co/L5dp3N80el
— Jayanth P (@Jayanth_TNIE) March 22, 2020
France on Sunday reported its first death of a hospital doctor from coronavirus. Health Minister Olivier Veran said that as far as he knew the man -- who died on Saturday -- was the "first hospital doctor to be hit". The accident and emergency practitioner worked at a hospital in Compiegne, north of Paris, AFP was able to confirm. Veran refused to give any more information about the victim, saying details were being withheld for medical reasons and to respect the wishes of the doctor's family.
15 more Covid19 cases in Kerala, taking the total to 67. 2 each from Ernakulam, Malappuram and Kozhikode. 4 from Kannur. @NewIndianXpress @xpresskerala
— Rajesh Abraham (@pendown) March 22, 2020
Delhi will be locked down in view of the growing coronavirus threat, from 6 am on March 23, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced at a joint press conference with Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Sunday.
Delhi government has decided to impose lockdown in Delhi from 6 AM tomorrow (23rd March) to 12 midnight of 31st March 2020: Arvind Kejriwal
Follow @XpressBengaluru to get #TNIEupdatesOnCovid19
— TNIE Karnataka (@XpressBengaluru) March 22, 2020
A big applause from an apartment in JP Nagar
Video by @shrirambn @NewIndianXpress @santwana99 pic.twitter.com/VyeqLZsMXU
A Buckingham Palace royal aide has tested positive for the novel coronavirus while Queen Elizabeth II was still at the London residence
Eight Indian sailors stranded without full wages for nine months aboard a ship off the UAE have appealed for help as three of them have fallen sick
Singapore will restrict short-term visitors from entering country due to the heightened risk of the spread of the novel coronavirus as the city-state reported 47 new infections, including 39 imported cases.
France is calling up helicopters and drones to boost the government's attempts to keep people in their homes
Iran says the new coronavirus has killed another 129 people, raising the death toll to 1,685 amid 21,638 confirmed cases.
Nearly 340 people have been arrested in Sri Lanka for defying a nationwide curfew imposed by the government to contain the fast-spreading coronavirus pandemic
One person from Jodhpur has been tested positive for Coronavirus today. Total 26 positive cases have been reported in the state till now: Rohit Singh, Additional Chief Secretary of Rajasthan Health Department
As the entire nation looked deserted on #JanataCurfew, police personnel in Srinagar beat up a youth who argued with them. #CoronavirusPandemic pic.twitter.com/vqUhJoDpMt
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) March 22, 2020
The Chandigarh administration notifies a lockdown in the territorial jurisdiction of the entire Union Territory with effect from 00:00 hours on March 23 to 2400 hours on March 31. All essential commodities and services and their manufacturing, supply chains, required transporter and other logistics to ensure their availability: Health Department
All industries except involved in essential services will remain closed from tomorrow to March 25 in Vadodara in Gujarat in view of Coronavirus Pandemic. Workers of the affected industries will be given paid leaves: Vadodara District Collector Shalini Agrawal
Jharkhand Chief Secretary writes to Deputy Police Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of the state asking them to ensure that the situation observed during Janata Curfew is observed after 9 PM too.
We have conducted 15,000-17,000 tests so far. We have the capacity to conduct 10,000 tests per day, it means we can conduct 50,000-70,000 per week. 60 private labs have registered so far to conduct COVID-19 tests: ICMR
#IndiaFightsCorona @CMOMaharashtra @mybmc @AUThackeray @Iamrahulkanal pic.twitter.com/l9qPAPs88U
— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) March 21, 2020
South superstar Prabhas has announced that he is in self-quarantine in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. In a short statement posted on Twitter, the "Baahubali" actor said he recently returned from Georgia after completing a film's shoot and therefore decided to keep himself insolation.
These are the group of doctors at Ripon Builndings who are behind the Chennai Corporation‘a 24/7 helpline number 044 - 2538 4520, answering your calls. @xpresstn @NewIndianXpress #CoronaUpdatesInIndia #Covid19 pic.twitter.com/mFldNEGsLT
— Omjasvin M D (@omjasvinMD) March 22, 2020
In wake of the Coronavirus outbreak, Section 144 of CrPC to be imposed in Delhi with effect from 9 pm on March 22 to 12 midnight of March 31.
The decision was announced by the Center on Sunday after Cabinet Secretary reviewed Covid-19 status with Chief Secretaries of states.
Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Malappuram, Kasaragod and Kannur are the districts which will be going for a shutdown from Monday.
It is essential to understand the ailment. 80% of the people will experience cold-like fever & they will recover. 20% may experience cough, cold, fever & some of them may be needed to be admitted to hospital. The 5% who get admitted to the hospital are given supportive treatment and in some cases, new medicines are being given: ICMR
Do remember,
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 22, 2020
5 PM this evening for 5 minutes...
Be on your terraces, balconies or windows to express gratitude to all those who are working 24/7 so that our nation becomes free from COVID-19. #JantaCurfew pic.twitter.com/Cwds0v4cJ8
To break the chain of transmission, the easiest method is to isolate the people coming from outside. The virus is not present in the air, it can be transmitted through droplets released: ICMR
#Covid_19india | After a high-level meeting with Chief Secretaries of States by Cabinet Secretary and Principal Secretary to PM, Centre and state govts have decided to completely lock down 75 districts where coronavirus cases have been reported.
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) March 22, 2020
Read more: https://t.co/VY3krCmwWB pic.twitter.com/pLlwY1zjGe
One #COVID19 positive patient, male 69 yrs, died today in Surat hospital. He was having co-morbid conditions. One female, 65 years, died in Vadodara hospital but her test report for COVID is awaited. She was also having comorbid conditions: Health & Family Welfare Dept, Gujarat pic.twitter.com/ewXKn1TUbK
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2020
As part of the nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus, Delhi Metro services will remain closed completely till March 31.
Earlier, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) had announced to curtail services for certain hours on Monday.
"The move is aimed at controlling the spread of coronavirus by ensuring social distancing and encouraging people to stay at home for the time being," said a statement issued by Anuj Dayal, Executive Director, Corporate Communications of DMRC.
In Karnataka, Public transportation system will be suspended across state from march 23. All AC buses suspended till March 31.
Starting 9 PM tonight when Janata curfew ends, section 144 will be imposed. Till March 31, only essential services will be allowed in Bengaluru urban and rural, Mangaluru, Mysuru, Kalburgi, Dharwad, Chikkaballapur, Belgaum and Kodagu- 9 districts. All other commercial activities will be shut down.
Kochi Metro's services will remain suspended till March 31st to combat Corona disease. Kochi Metro Rail Limited has taken the decision pursuant to the directives of both the state and central governments, informed KMRL MD Alkesh Kumar Sharma. The move is aimed at controlling the spread of corona virus by ensuring social distancing and encouraging people to stay at home for the time being.
Noida-Greater Noida metro, city bus services suspended till March 31 with immediate effect due to coronavirus outbreak: NMRC
: In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, banking lobby Indian Banks' Association (IBA) has made an appeal to people to wash their hands after touching or counting currency. IBA has also asked customers to use online and mobile banking channels for making their transactions and avoid visiting bank branches as it could pose a risk to banks' front desk staff.
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, around 3,000 criminals lodged in different jails of Punjab for petty offences such as fights, snatching, thefts might get parole to make prisons de-congested. Sources said that the Punjab prisons department is contemplating to lift the ban on regular parole to criminals who are behind bars for petty offences. "The department has identified around 3,000 of such inmates who can be given parole but it is for the courts to decide. No hardcore criminal will be given parole," said Additional DGP (Prisons), Punjab, Parveen Kumar Sinha.
#India wears a deserted look, as cities participate in the Janata Curfew urged by PM @narendramodi.
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) March 22, 2020
PHOTO|ENS#JantaCurfew #Covid_19india
Follow LIVE updates here: https://t.co/bdoSIRBOzx pic.twitter.com/QBGGoE8GeG
Centre advises state govts to declare lockdown in 75 districts where Covid-19 reported: Officials
Tamil Nadu Government has extended Sunday’s curfew to 5 am on Monday morning. However, there will be no restrictions for essential services, it said. The curfew, originally set to be from 7 am to 9 PM on Sunday, was called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the wake of the Corona pandemic which is in stage 2 of transmission in India.
The protesters who refused to call off the protest even after huge criticism, in the wake of Coronavirus, were also observing Janata Curfew. “Around 10 AM, some miscreants threw a chemical bomb at the protest site from behind the barricades. It was not petrol but some kind of chemical that led to fire. However, no one was injured,” senior volunteer at Shaheen Bagh, Syed Taseer Ahmed told this newspaper.
#WATCH Train services suspended, roads free from traffic as citizens of Mumbai observe #JantaCurfew announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/fkYYb381W6
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2020
In two separate letters sent to the Department of Telecom (DoT) and OTT (over-the-top) streaming platforms, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) said that the increasing number of people working from home and the rise in digital services usage "is already putting pressure on the network infrastructure".
Ongoing COVID19 pandemic; Govt declares holiday in all offices on March 23. March 24 and March 25 are holidays. Essential services to continue undisturbed: Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary, Planning, Jammu & Kashmir (file pic) pic.twitter.com/PWKls2Mk6v
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2020
One returnee from abroad who had arrived at Bengaluru was supposed to self-quarantine himself but was seen roaming around the Majestic area. He came near the came near Upparpet police station as he found all the hotels were closed. @XpressBengaluru pic.twitter.com/unAgDp2TdP
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) March 22, 2020
Health Minister C Vijayabaskar confirmed the case on Sunday on Twitter. The tweet said,"A traveller from Spain tests COVID-19 positive. Patient is undergoing treatment in Isolation". The State had confirmed three cases yesterday. With one more new case the confirmed cases increased to Seven including one recovered from COVID-19 in Tamil Nadu.
Trinamool asks its MPs to withdraw from Parliament and return to their constituencies in view of coronavirus. "Around 44 per cent of MPs in Rajya Sabha, 22 per cent in Lok Sabha above 65 years; conflicting message from government dangerous", TMC to presiding officers of both Houses on coronavirus
#WATCH Beaches, streets, markets in Goa's Panaji wear a deserted look as the public observes #JantaCurfew pic.twitter.com/AZUeEQlgkc
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2020
Maharashtra: Juhu Beach in Mumbai wears a deserted look as people observe self-imposed #JantaCurfew, amid rising Coronavirus cases in the country. pic.twitter.com/OaUAcQHSgb
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2020
Himachal Pradesh: Trains have been suspended by the Northern Railway on Kalka-Shimla Heritage line, in view of #JantaCurfew pic.twitter.com/K8dC2P7428
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2020
The AAI-GVK group-run Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport handles 950-980 arrivals and departures per day with around 200-250 of them international. The coronavirus pandamic has wreaked a havoc across the world, impacting airline industry severely along with other segments of the economy. It has forced the airlines world over to shut flights and passenger to cancel their trips.
West Bengal Tourism Minister Goutam Deb said a total of 170 people were not allowed to enter India from Nepal on Saturday after thermal screening. Though the India-Nepal border in Panitanki area in Darjeeling district is open, visitors to both the countries are being screened in wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak, he said at a press conference here. Deb said visitors to Nepal from India are also being screened. He urged people returning from abroad to get their health examined and go in home quarantine, failing which strict action will be taken against them.
Dehradun in Uttarakhand wears a deserted look as people observe self-imposed #JantaCurfew, amid rising Coronavirus cases in the country. pic.twitter.com/F2gZYIEeqi
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2020
Follow @XpressBengaluru to get #TNIEupdatesOnCovid19
— TNIE Karnataka (@XpressBengaluru) March 22, 2020
Udupi wears deserted look
Video @prakash_TNIE @NewIndianXpress @santwana99 pic.twitter.com/BtzWPjdCtE
A man with travel history to Saudi Arabia fled from a hospital in Srinagar on Saturday after doctors advised him to undergo few tests, including for coronavirus, but was immediately traced and sent to quarantine, officials said. The man, a resident of Padshahi Bagh area of the city, was advised by the district authorities to visit the hospital as a precautionary measure. He ran away after doctors at the CD hospital here asked him to undergo a chest X-Ray and other tests, including one for coronavirus. They said the hospital authorities took up the matter with the district administration and the man was immediately traced and sent to quarantine.
Karnataka Education Minister @nimmasuresh announces that the SSLC examination for students in the state will be postponed as per instructions from the CM in the wake of #COVID19outbreak.@XpressBengaluru pic.twitter.com/swJaNwIySQ
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) March 22, 2020
Citizens remained indoors at several places in the city and across the state from Sunday morning after, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Saturday called for a 24-hour voluntary curfew from 6 am on March 22 to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Roads wore a deserted look at many places even as shops and eateries also remained closed in the state. State-run Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) buses were not operating even as the Hyderabad Metro Rail remained closed, but five trains have been kept on stand-by to attend to any emergency.
#JanataCurfew comes into full force: Snapshots of South India's busy roads wearing a deserted look on #JanataCurfewMarch22.
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) March 22, 2020
Follow LIVE updates on #COVID19outbreak here: https://t.co/QsWCvNMtWN pic.twitter.com/bzCzbfA74M
The special Air India flight carrying 263 Indian students that took off from Rome landed at Delhi airport at 9.15 AM today. All 263 evacuees to be taken to ITBP Chhawla Quarantine Facility in Delhi, after thermal screening and immigration at the airport. #Coronavirus pic.twitter.com/KdgHOwXFlH
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2020
Manipur: Empty streets in Imphal as people observe #JantaCurfew pic.twitter.com/8wX1h6hgDc
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2020
Chennai: A member of Tamil Nadu Muslim League distributes hand sanitizers & face masks to elderly people at an old age home. #CoronaVirusPandemic pic.twitter.com/KkyoqEOxxJ
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2020
Modi had proposed a 'Janata curfew' on Sunday between 7 am and 9 pm as part of social distancing to check the spread of the deadly virus. "In a few minutes from now, the #JantaCurfew commences. Let us all be a part of this curfew, which will add tremendous strength to the fight against COVID-19 menace," the prime minister wrote on Twitter. He said the steps to be taken now will help in the times to come. "Stay indoors and stay healthy," he said.
People in Madhya Pradesh remained indoors and streets wore a deserted look on Sunday in view of the 'Janta Curfew' call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make the fight against coronavirus a success. Roadside shops and eateries also remained closed in the state. Four districts - Jabalpur, Rewa, Seoni and Narsinghpur - have already been placed under lockdown since Saturday.
The usually bustling Esplanade, Dalhousie, airport and railway stations wore a deserted look as people stayed indoors to support the prime minister's call. Mostly those engaged in essential services were seen on the roads travelling to work. The Eastern and South Eastern Railway have cancelled all mail/express trains originating from the two zones between 4 am and 10 pm on Sunday in view of 'Janata Curfew', but will run skeletal local train services on the day, officials had said on Saturday.
Meghalaya's Shillong observes #JantaCurfew in order to control the spread of #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/6YjRc4ybZS
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2020
Delhi: Policemen offer flowers to the locals out on roads, requesting them to stay at home and observe the countrywide #JanataCurfew today. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/QnSNnrHBeA
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2020
Barring shops selling essential commodities and pharmacies, all other establishments remained closed as the self-imposed curfew began at 7 am. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
Bihar: Rakesh Chaudhary,a local in Patna, observes #JantaCurfew by distributing hand sanitiser to police& traffic police personnel in Patna, amid rising cases of Coronavirus in the country. He says, "The entire country is fighting against Coronavirus. This is my way to fight it". pic.twitter.com/Xphyh0Wj7S
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2020
The self-imposed #JantaCurfew to be observed till 9 pm today, amid rising cases of Coronavirus in the country; Visuals from Meerut. pic.twitter.com/CYVyTTyJmN
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 22, 2020
Jharkhand: Deserted Ranchi Railway Station, as all passenger & intercity trains have been cancelled till 10 pm today, in view of #JantaCurfew announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/bwICJNdZ2h
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2020
Delhi: Indian Railways has cancelled all passenger trains till 10pm today during #JantaCurfew in the view of Coronavirus pic.twitter.com/s1i3lBBbSw
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2020
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged the pharmaceutical industry to manufacture COVID-19 testing kits on "a war footing".
In an interaction with leaders of the pharmaceutical industry, Modi said that the Centre has already approved schemes worth Rs 14,000 crore for production of critical drugs and medical equipment.
The government on Saturday notified norms under which private diagnostic labs accredited by the National Accreditation Board for testing and calibration laboratories will be allowed to carry out tests for coronavirus fixing an upper cap of Rs 4,500 per test.(READ FULL STORY HERE)
On 22nd March,500 teams of Bangalore Police&Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike will go the houses of about 30,000 who returned from foreign countries,to check if they are obeying home quarantine.Hand stamping will be done¬ices will be served:Govt of Karnataka,Health Department
— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2020
Italy on Saturday reported 793 new coronavirus deaths, a one-day record that saw its toll shoot up to 4,825 - 38.3 per cent of the world's total. The number of COVID-19 infections rose by 6,557 to 53,578, another record. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)