A 75-year-old woman who was found positive for the new coronavirus in an initial test died early Wednesday in Karnataka but the state government said a final confirmation was awaited.

The exact cause of her death would be known after the final report comes, two state ministers said.

If confirmed, this will be the second coronavirus fatality in the state.

The woman, who returned from Mecca in Saudi Arabia recently, was said to be from Gauribidanur in Chikkaballapura and undergoing treatment at Bowring hospital in Bengaluru.

"In the initial report the result was positive, finally a confirmatory report has to come... We are waiting for it," Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar said in response to a question from reporters.   -- PTI

The Jammu and Kashmir Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday urged the administration to immediately restore the 4G mobile internet services in the union territory as it will help people to cope with the situation arised amid the nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

'With improvement in the security situation and urgent need of keeping population indoors (in the wake of COVID-19), it will be helpful if 4G internet is restored to allow people to interact with their near ones through social media and video calls and conferences,' state BJP chief spokesman Sunil Sethi said in a statement.

He said the coronavirus pandemic has already made its footprint in Jammu and Kashmir and it can be fought by taking appropriate preventive measures and social distancing was an important aspect of it.

Earlier, BJP national council member and former minister Priya Sethi also batted for restoration of 4G internet services in Jammu and Kashmir.

'An appeal to union home minister Sh Amit Shah and Lieutenant governor G C Murmu. COVID-19 threat can be fought by social distancing and with the improvement in security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, it will be helpful if 4G internet service is restored in UT,' she tweeted.

The 4G mobile internet services remain suspended across the union territory since August 5 last year following revocation of the special status to Jammu and Kashmir and its bifurcation into union territories.

Presently, 2G mobile internet services are available in the region after it was restored on January 25.

The BJP spokesman said fast-speed mobile internet will help professionals and govt officials to work from home instead of venturing out of their homes in the wake of the restrictions imposed by the administration.

He also said it will help students to study during the time of forced stay at home.

"Fast-speed internet will also help business community immensely during the time of lockdown," Sunil Sethi said.   -- PTI

The government is looking for volunteer doctors to fight the COVID-19 outbreak which has infected over 600 people in the country and has taken more than 16,000 lives across the globe.

In a statement posted on Niti Aayog's website on Wednesday, the government appealed to retired government, Armed Forces Medical Services, public sector undertaking or a private doctor to come forward and join the efforts of the government to fight the deadly virus.

Those who wish to contribute to this and be a part of this nobel mission to serve the country may register themselves on a link provided on the official website of the Niti Aayog.

'The government of India requests for volunteer doctors who are fit and willing to be available for providing their services in the public health facilities and the training hospitals in the near future.

'We appeal to such doctors to come forward at this hour of need. You could also be a retired government, Armed Forces Medical Services, public sector undertaking or a private doctor,' the statement said.

It noted that in case the outbreak leads to a high number of infected individuals, India's public health facilities will face tremendous load to take care of the large number of patients.

'This overwhelming burden may not be met by the available doctors in the public health system. The Central and state governments are augmenting and expediting increase in healthcare services in every part of the country. In addition, COVID-19 'train hospitals' are being created in this regard,' it added.

The country is facing an unprecedented public health emergency with the COVID-19 pandemic affecting several parts of the nation.

The central and state governments have made exceptional efforts to combat the crisis along with the involvement of all citizens.  -- PTI

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday said its one crore workers will provide for meals of five poor persons each during the 21-day lockdown to combat coronavirus.

A meeting of its national office bearers chaired by party president J P Nadda took the decision, and a mechanism will be be put in place at the earliest in this regard, its national media head Anil Baluni said.

In the meeting, Nadda called upon the party leaders and workers to ensure that one crore of them feed five poor persons each.

The ruling party's plan came amid reports that the poor and daily-wagers are bearing the brunt of the lockdown as they have been left with no means of earning, with large numbers of migrants workers unable to go to their native place.

Nadda will be charing the meeting of the party's national office-bearers during the period to drive the efforts being put in by it across the country during the lockdown, which began Tuesday midnight.

In the last two days, the BJP president has addressed around one lakh party workers via audio conference on vital issues related to COVID-19 and appealed them to help people while keeping social distancing and coordinating with district administration, the party said.  -- PTI

Coronavirus infection cannot be transmitted through mosquito bites, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday while dispelling some commonly spread myths about the disease since its outbreak in the country.

On the notion that everybody should wear masks to protect themselves from contracting the virus, the health ministry said those who have symptoms like fever, cough and cold or are healthcare workers and assigned care takers of home quarantined persons should wear masks.

Putting to rest the rumours and misinformation about the respiratory viral infection which has claimed 10 lives and infected over 600 people in India, the ministry said it was a myth that only people with symptoms of COVID-19 can spread the disease.

"Even people with the COVID-19 infection but no symptoms can spread the disease," it said.

Lastly, the ministry said it was a myth that eating garlic and consuming alcohol can prevent coronavirus.

"Eating garlic and drinking alcohol does not prevent COVID-19," it said.  -- PTI

A 65-year-old woman succumbed to coronavirus at a government hospital in Indore on Wednesday, becoming the first case of COVID-19 death in Madhya Pradesh, officials said.

The woman, who had no history of travelling abroad in recent times, originally hailed from neighbouring Ujjain and was undergoing treatment at the government-run M Y Hospital in Indore.

Indore collector Lokesh Jatav confirmed the first death in Madhya Pradesh due to the dreaded virus.

She was facing difficulties in breathing which led to further deterioration in her condition. Besides, she was diabetic and despite all efforts by doctors she could not survive, the collector said.

Jatav informed that set protocol will be followed while performing her last rites so that those taking part in it don't get infected by the dreaded virus.

Those performing her last rites will be provided with protective gear, he said.

The collector said elderly woman was among the five coronavirus-affected persons undergoing treatment in different hospitals of Indore.

Doctors have so far examined 29 persons closely related to them but none of them were found with symptoms linked to the viral infection, he said.

Officials are keeping an eye on their health and making them undergo further medical tests, he said.

Health officials said the deceased woman and four others admitted in different city hospitals have no history of travelling overseas in recent times and this means they contracted the infection in the country.

Madhya Pradesh has so far reported 15 coronavirus positive cases.

After cases of coronavirus were reported from Indore and Ujjain, authorities imposed curfew in both the cities.  -- PTI

A housing colony in Gujarat's Surat city took a serious note of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comment that a 'Lakshman Rekha' had been drawn outside homes, by curbing the movement of people in and out of the society gates in wake of the COVID-19 lockdown.

In his speech on Tuesday, the Prime Minister repeatedly urged people to stay home to prevent the spread of coronavirus and termed the nationwide lockdown as a 'Lakshman Rekha', a strict boundary line, which cannot be crossed.

Taking a cue from Modi's speech, residents of Krushna Dham Society in Surat's Piplod area drew a 'rangoli' that reads 'Modi - Laxman Rekha' near the colony's main gate.

"Inspired by Modi's speech, we have literally drawn a 'Lakshman Rekha'. This boundary line conveys that no one will be allowed to come inside or go outside the society without permission," said Amish Parikh, one of the residents who came up with the idea.

Visitors or relatives will have to stand outside and talk to the concerned resident near the gate itself, he added.

The society with 100 bungalows, houses around 400 residents.

"Instead of allowing people to go out to buy essentials such as milk and vegetables, one of us collects money from five or more residents and buys essentials for them," he added.

Meanwhile in Ahmedabad, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) appreciated a simple yet effective method of overturning benches adopted by some housing societies to discourage people from gathering at one place.

In many housing societies and public gardens, benches made of wood, metal or cement have been overturned so that nobody can sit on them. Deputy Municipal Commissioner O P Machra tweeted photos of such benches and urged people to follow suit.  -- PTI

The home ministry on Wednesday issued fresh guidelines covering additional people and services who will be exempted from the 21-day lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In the new guidelines, the ministry said Reserve Bank of India and RBI-regulated financial markets, pay and accounts officers and field officers of the Comptroller and Auditor General, petroleum products and supply chain and forest staff are exempted from the purview of the lockdown.

Those people handling cargo operations in airports and railway stations, coal mining activities, officers and staff of resident commissioners based in Delhi and customs clearance at ports, airports and land borders are also exempted.

Forest offices staff and workers required to operate and maintain zoo, nurseries, wildlife, fire fighting in forests, watering plantations, patrolling and their necessary transport movement, social welfare department staff for operations of homes for children, disabled, senior citizens, destitute women, widows, observation homes and pensions service are also exempted, the guidelines said.  -- PTI

How language newspaper owners 'advised' Narendra Modi on how to shape his response to COVID, six hours before he announced a 21-day lockdown.

Five new coronavirus cases were reported in Delhi in past 24 hours, pushing the number of total cases to 35, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Wednesday, as his government decided to issue e-passes for people associated with essential services to commute during the lockdown.

  

People ensuring essential services such as milk sellers, vegetable vendors and grocers can call helpline 1031 to get the passes on their mobile phones, Kejriwal said during a digital press conference.

The chief minister said people can walk down to shops nearby to buy items of daily use.

Amid reports of medical staffers being harassed by landlords to vacate the premises, Kejriwal requested the house owners to not misbehave with the professionals out to fight and contain the virus.

The harassment of medical staff cannot be tolerated, he said, warning that strict action will be taken against the landlords

Spain's coronavirus death toll overtook that of China on Wednesday, rising to 3,434 after 738 people died over the past 24 hours, the government said.

 

Across the world, only Italy now has a higher death toll than that of Spain. In China, where the virus emerged late last year, 3,281 people have died.

The spiralling number of deaths came as Spain entered the 11th day of an unprecedented lockdown to try and rein in the COVID-19 epidemic that has now infected 47,610 people, the health ministry said.

As the authorities stepped up testing, the number of cases showed a 20 per cent increase on the figures for Tuesday, while the death toll showed a 27 per cent rise over the same period.

 

Despite the national lockdown imposed on March 14, which is to be extended until April 11, both deaths and infections have continued to mount, with officials warning this week would be particularly bad.

"We are approaching the peak," the ministry's emergencies coordinator Fernando Simon said in announcing the figures.

Health authorities are hoping it will soon become clear whether the lockdown is having the desired effect.

The Madrid region has suffered the brunt of the epidemic with 14,597 infections -- just under a third of the total -- and 1,825 deaths, or 53 per cent of the national figure.

Floyd Cardoz, renowned Mumbai chef who owned restaurants in Mumbai like Bombay Canteen and O Pedro passed away on Tuesday.

Journalist Rajdeep Sardesai tweeted: Tragic news. Floyd Cardoz the world renowned chef - with his own Restaurants in New York - Chez Floyd, then lately Bombay Canteen, O Pedro and restaurants in Bombay and Goa has succumbed to the Corona virus in New Jersey RIP"

According to reports, Cardoz was in Mumbai until March 8 and had attended fifth anniversary celebrations of his restaurant in Mumbai on March 1. The party was attended by at least 200 people. Cardoz later attended opening of The Bombay Sweet Shop. On March 18, Cardoz took to Instagram to announce that he had admitted himself in a hospital in New York.

As per a report by mid-day, an official statement released by Hunger Inc stated that: "Floyd Cardoz (59 years), currently admitted in hospital in New York, USA, tested positive for COVID-19 on March 18, 2020. As a precautionary measure we have informed the Health Department in Mumbai about the same. We are also reaching out personally to people who have interacted with him during his visit to India, so they can take necessary medical advice should they indicate any symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) and/ or self-quarantine. 

Floyd Cardoz flew back to New York from Mumbai via Frankfurt on March 8, 2020.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said he was very pained by the misbehaviour of some people against doctors, airlines crew and staff of essential services who are at the forefront of combating coronavirus.

  

He also asserted that the deadly virus does not differentiate between the rich and the poor asked people to be at home and practice social distancing.

Addressing people of his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi via video, he said the Mahabharata war was won in 18 days but this war against coronavirus will take 21 days.

He was referring to the 21 day nation-wide lockdown announced by him on Tuesday.

Poll strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor on Wednesday expressed skepticism over the three-week nationwide lockdown clamped by the Narendra Modi government, contending that the measure could be right though the duration was a bit too long.

In a tweet, Kishor, who had started off as a campaign manager for Modi in 2014 but turned into a strident critic of his government in recent times, also underscored shaky preparedness to deal with the pandemics outbreak in the country where there was very little to safeguard the poor.

"Decision to #lockdownindia may be right but 21 days might (be) a bit too long. But then this is the price one pays for being behind the curve. With the shaky preparedness to deal with the #CovidCrisis and very little to safeguard the poor, we could be staring at some tough days ahead," Kishor

tweeted.

The combative 43-year-old, who was recently sacked from the JD-U for launching a direct attack on party president and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, engaged in a spat with biopharmaceutical magnate Kiran Mazumdar Shaw who reacted to his tweet saying please do not make statements without understanding the scientific rationale. I believe it is the right move and it will help us to take informed decisions based on more test data.

It is, Kishor shot back, asserting that he had called the lockdown period bit too long out of conviction.

There is no scientific evidence to suggest that mere 21 days #lockdown without adequate testing, isolation and treatment measures could stop #Covidspread. Plus, while a badly executed lockdown may not achieve its goal, it surely will destroy life and livelihood of millions," he added.

Maharashtra reported six new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, taking the number of such cases in the state to 122, the highest in the country so far, officials said. Of the latest cases five are from Mumbai and one from Thane, officials said. -- PTI

Since morning, barring hospitals and pharmacies, all commercial establishments in the coastal state remained closed with police patrolling the streets. 

As a nation-wide lockdown to contain the virus outbreak began, the state government also announced that it would set up a food and medicine helpline for those who can not step out to buy essential things. 

Special teams led by magistrates have been formed to catch those who violate home quarantine, Sawant told reporters. -- PTI

Speaking to a regional news channel, Bhujbal said the state government is committed to ensure uninterrupted supply of foodgrains to minimise inconvenience to people during the wide-ranging restrictions in place to tackle the crisis. "I can assure people of smooth supply of foodgrains. All ration shops will remain open through out the lockdown period. We are also ensuring additional foodgrain supply to these shops," he said. The minister said people should avoid hoarding and rushing to buy food items. -- PTI

Image: A BMC worker sprays sanitizer on an awareness drive in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, at Malbar hill area in Mumbai. Pic: ANI 

Newspapers: Pick it up using  tissues, wash hands with soap and leave it untouched for 12 hours - read only after this.

Veggies and fruits from market: Keep it aside, wash hands with soap and don't touch for 12 hours.

Any home delivery: Keep it aside or if it has a plastic cover like curds or chicken, wash it with soap, wash your hands and then keep in fridge for use (cold keeps the virus alive, so make sure the things you keep in the fridge are virus free).

The Census 2021 was scheduled to be conducted in two phases--Phase I i.e. House Listing and Housing Census during April-September, 2020 and Phase II i.e. Population Enumeration from February 9 to February 28, 2021.The updation of NPR was also proposed to be done along with the Phase I of Census 2021 in all the States and Union Territories, except Assam.Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, high alert has been declared by the Government of India as well as the States and Union Territories.

The Ministry of Home Affairs vide order dated March 24, 2020 has issued guidelines with the directions for their strict implementation, on the measures to be taken by the Ministries/Departments of Government of India and State/Union Territory Governments for containment of COVID-19 epidemic in the country.

A lockdown has also been declared by many States and UT governments. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued advisories for various precautionary measures, including social distancing.

Keeping in view the above, the first phase of Census 2021 and updation of NPR, which was to begin on various dates decided by the State/UT governments beginning April 1 and various related field activities, are postponed until further orders. -- ANI

The Duchess of Cornwall, 72, has also been tested but does not have the virus. 

Clarence House said Charles and Camilla were now self-isolating at Balmoral, adding the prince "has been working at home throughout the last few days".

1. Doubling the "amount paid under PM-KISAN to Rs 12,000 and transfer the additional amount immediately to the bank account of each beneficiary and also to bring "tenant farmers under PM-KISAN....

2. Transfer Rs 12,000 in two installments to the bank account of each tenant farmer.

Image:  People buy milk amid the lockdown throughout the country for 21 Days, in Kolkata, today. Pic: ANI 

In a statement, Chidambaram also suggested a 10-point plan to put money in the bank accounts of the poor and the marginalised, including farmers and labourers, and demanded a cut in GST rates by 5 per cent on all wage goods, essential goods and services, and all goods of mass consumption from April 1 to June 30, 2020. 

"The prime minister's announcement yesterday of a nationwide 21-day lockdown is a watershed moment in the battle against COVID-19. We should put behind us the debates that took place before March 24 and look upon the nationwide lockdown as the beginning of a new battle in which the people are the foot soldiers and the PM is the Commander." "We owe a duty to extend our total support to the prime minister and the central and state governments," he said. A senior Congress functionary, however, said this was Chidambaram's personal view and not that of the party. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced a complete lockdown of the entire country for 21 days in an unprecedented drastic measure to try halt the spread of coronavirus shortly after which the Centre said all road, rail and air services will remain suspended during this period. Chidambaram also urged people to stay home, saying "STAYHOMEINDIA is a great rally cry'. He also called for protection of the current employment and wages, besides putting money into the hands of the poor and the marginalised.

The state revenue department had declared COVID-19 crisis as a disaster.Thirty-seven people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Uttar Pradesh, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reported on Tuesday. 

--ANI

The Union Home Ministry has asked private security agencies not to lay off guards or deduct their salaries during the 21-day lockdown period announced to combat the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. 

"Over 50 lakh strong private security industry shall fully back PM's call to support government machinery in the lockdown period as an essential service, said Rituraj Sinha, Chair, Ficci Committee on Private Security Industry. -- PTI

"The current count of COVID19 patients in the state of Maharashtra is 116. In Sangli, 5 people from one family are identified as positive due to contacts and 4 people from Mumbai are identified as positive due to travel history or contacts," Tope tweeted.

The state Health Minister informed that out of 116 people, 14 people have recovered and are in the process of being discharged from the hospitals.

"14 people from these have been recovered and are in the process of being discharged from the hospitals," he said in another tweet. -- ANI

An offence under section 505 (public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code was registered against a Thane resident on Tuesday, senior inspector Kishore Khairnar of the Kasarwadavli police station said. The man allegedly posted a message on a WhatsApp group stating that he had contracted coronavirus infection and that he did not wish to be admitted to a hospital till his condition deteriorates, the official said.

When the message was brought to the police's notice, a medical team rushed to the man's house for verification and found that he had lied, he said. No arrest has been made in this connection so far, he added. The authorities have been taking strict action against rumour mongers and those spreading false information about COVID-19 on social media. -- PTI 

COAI's appeal to public comes at a time when data usage has surged nearly 30 per cent over the last few days in the wake of lockdowns, work-from-home and social distancing measures adopted to contain the spread of coronavirus. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced a complete lockdown for 21 days in an unprecedented move to halt the spread of the pandemic.

With stringent border controls across the countries to restrict movement of people, many countries have barred international flights in their territory amid COVID-19. India has also announced a temporary ban on flying. 

"We will not be operating a single commercial flight along with other domestic carriers as per the government's order, yet our daily losses will still be in the range of Rs 30-35 crore. "Though there will not be certain costs such as fuel, ground handling, airport fee during the suspension of oprations, we still will have to make payments towards salaries and allowances, lease rentals, mimimum maintenance, besides the interest payment, among others," the source told PTI. 

Air India's total earnings per day are around Rs 60-65 crore and 90 per cent of this comes from passenger revenue, he said adding, "the expenses too are in the same range." Air India's salary bill stands at around Rs 250 crore per month while the aircraft lease rentals outgo is around USD 30 million per month as per the source. 

The airline has 21 Boeing B787-800s on lease in addition to 27 Airbus A320Neo planes. The lease rental for each Boeing 787 is USD 1 million per months and USD 400 per month for an A20Neo, as per the source. Besides, the airline has to make as much as Rs 225 crore per months towards interest on borrowings among others. -- PTI

"In response to the current COVID-19 outbreak, vivo, the global smartphone brand today donated one lakh medical masks to Government of Maharashtra. The company also donated 5,000 N-95 masks that are designed to filter airborne particles," Vivo said in a statement. 

The country has been facing shortage of N-95 and other masks required for healthcare workers to prevent them from getting infected with deadly coronavirus. "I thank vivo for contributing to this humanitarian cause and all other corporates should also follow suit," said Rajesh Tope, Minister for Public Health and Family Welfare, Maharashtra.

Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray's message a night after people went into panic buying after the PM announced a 21-day lockdown without specifying on the supply of essential items. 

Thackeray assures the people in the state that there is sufficient stock of essential commodities like vegetables, rice and other items of daily use. "There is no need to worry. All shops selling essential goods are open too. We will celebrate #GudiPadwa once we tackle this crisis.

"It is a war-like situation so I have compared this Coronavirus with war, when we are not aware of the enemy then the enemy will attack us, so we have to be aware as we cannot see this enemy.

"I am at home listening to Mrs CM, you listen to your home minister, there is no need to panic, essential services are available. "Don't flock the markets. To purchase essential commodities, go to market alone and maintain distance (with one another)," he said. 

The research, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, assessed the treatment of 12 patients in Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital, China, with severe COVID-19 infection-related acute respiratory distress syndrome who were assisted by mechanical ventilation. 

"This study is the first description of the behaviour of the lungs in patients with severe COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation and receiving positive pressure," said Haibo Qiu, study co-author from Southeast University in Nanjing, China.  "It indicates that some patients do not respond well to high positive pressure, and respond better to prone positioning in bed (facing downward)," Qiu said. 

In the study, the researchers assessed the effect of body positioning in patients, admitted to the ICU with confirmed COVID-19 infection-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), for a period of six-days. 

They said the clinicians in Wuhan used an index, the recruitment-to-Inflation ratio, that measures the response of lungs to pressure, also known as lung recruitability. According to the study, prone positioning was performed for 24-hour periods in which patients had persistently low levels of blood oxygenation.  Oxygen flow, lung volume and airway pressure were measured by devices on patients' ventilators, the study noted.  

The researchers said other measurements, including the aeration of their airway passages, were taken, and calculations were done to measure lung recruitability. -- PTI

"Our stores' official timings are from 6:00 am - 2:00 pm and then 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm, in full capacity," said Safal Stores on their Twitter handle.

In his address to the nation on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a 21-day lockdown in the entire country to deal with the spread of coronavirus, saying that "social distancing" is the only option to deal with the disease.

The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in India rose to 562, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday. -- ANI

Image: People rush last night to buy food after PM Modi"s announcement of lockdown for 21 days all over India, in Patna. Pic: ANI 

Dube told employees in an official communication, "Under the current conditions we find ourselves in we are left with no choice but to extend salary cuts for all of us for the month of March. We will ensure that the lowest pay grades suffer the least." 

India has banned international commercial passenger flights for a period of one week from Sunday. Moreover, domestic flights have also been suspended from Tuesday midnight. 

Last week, IndiGo CEO Ronojoy Dutta stated that the senior employees of the low-cost carrier will have a pay cut of up to 25 per cent. Air India also announced that the pandemic has caused "insurmountable dip" in revenues and therefore, it is reducing the allowances of all employees - except cabin crew - by 10 per cent for the next three months. -- PTI

The idol of Ram Lalla was placed on a 9.5-kg silver throne in the new structure where the idol would remain till the construction of the Ram temple is completed on the site, allotted for it by the Supreme Court in a landmark verdict in November. After the idol was placed, the chief minister offered special prayers in the presence of Ram Mandir Trust Secretary Champat Rai. Adityanath in his personal capacity also donated Rs 11 lakh for the construction of the Ram temple. 

The local administration did not allow people to gather on the occasion as a lockdown has been imposed across the country to check the spread of the coronavirus. A few senior leaders of RSS and VHP were present on the occasion. PTI

It added that for the consumer items to be readily available in the market, all food processing companies should be allowed to keep their manufacturing facilities open under the strictest of safety and hygiene guidelines and any executive order or section 144 restrictions should include the exemption of these units, distribution and sales channels servicing the food and beverage market, including food delivery services. 

The secretary also asked to give due permission to transport vehicles carrying raw material, intermediaries to and from the food processing units. "Clear advisory to ensure inter-state movement of goods for the food processing industry to ensure uninterrupted movement and supply of goods and services; specifically for e-commerce, food processing, delivery boys, and Movement of trucks," the letter said. 

Further, it has instructed to permit open all retail, grocery, organised trade, including cash and carry and wholesale, chemist and pharmacies, in order to avoid inconvenience to consumers and also to prevent panic buying. -- PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a three-week complete lockdown of the country to prevent the spread of the coronavirus infections in the country. The equity markets were in the red early into the trade on Wednesday, down 0.47 per cent. 

"We estimate that the cumulative shutdown cost around USD120 billion or 4 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP)," British brokerage Barclays said in a note, revising down its FY21 growth forecast by 1.7 percentage points to 3.5 per cent. It specified the cost of the three-week nationwide lockdown to be alone at USD 90 billion, which is over and above the lockdowns announced by various states like Maharashtra earlier. 

They also said that the RBI is most likely to go for a 0.65 per cent rate cut in the April review and will slash interest rates further by 1 per cent during the course of the year. -- PTI

Image: A family watches Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation on COVID-19, in Surat on Tuesday. Pic: ANI

"The Russian Embassy has successfully facilitated transportation by special Aeroflot flight of about 388 Russian citizens who were stranded in India due to the lockdown," said Evgeny Bereka, Press attache, Russian Embassy.

Countries across the world have been carrying out special operations to evacuate their citizens stranded in foreign lands amid the outbreak of coronavirus -- the pandemic which has infected more than 3,75,000 people and killed over 16,300.

The Indian government too has carried out the operations to evacuate its citizens from Italy, Iran, China, among other coronavirus-hit nations. -- ANI

Image: Serbian military sets up the beds inside Hall 1 of the Belgrade Fair to accommodate people who suffer mild symptoms of coronavirus disease in Belgrade on Tuesday. Pic: ANI

"We are checking if the five have a recent travel history within India or outside," an official said. Ten more cases were detected in the state on Tuesday, and eight were confirmed late on Monday night. -- PTI

Image: The protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act named 'Mumbai Bhag' put on hold after CM Uddhav Thackeray announces curfew in the entire state amid coronavirus outbreak, in Mumbai on Monday

Stock brokers association Anmi and Commodity market Participants Association of India on Wednesday said brokers are still facing problem while commuting to their respective offices as police are not allowing any movement. 

Further, Anmi has said it is receiving request to suspend broking services and it will take up the matter with Sebi. CPAI has requested the regulator to curtail trading hours. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown as part of efforts to curb spreading of coronavirus infections. However, the government has said that capital market and debt market entities notified by Sebi will be exempted from such closure.

Globally, the death toll from the coronavirus has risen to 18,915 with more than 422,900 cases reported in over 165 countries and territories, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. 

The number of coronavirus cases in India stood at 562 on Wednesday with nine COVID-19 deaths reported so far, according to Health Ministry data. In an attempt to stem the spread of coronavirus in India, Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday announced a nationwide lockdown for three weeks. "United Nations stands in solidarity with India in its fight against COVID-19,' said a video message tweeted by United Nations News on Tuesday, the UN's multimedia news service. 

The video also took note of the 'Janta Curfew' observed across India on Sunday, when the country's 1.3 billion citizens stayed at home from 7 am to 9 pm in an effort to practise social distancing. Heeding to a call by Modi, people came out on their balconies, windows and courtyards to applaud the selfless work of medical professionals on the frontlines in the fight against COVID-19. -- PTI

Image: A view of parked buses amid lockdown in Bengaluru on Tuesday. Public transport is off the roads. 

The ministry in its updated figures on Wednesday morning, stated the second death reported in Delhi was COVID-19 negative, thus bringing down the death toll to nine in India.  

Delhi reported two deaths so far with one death reported on Tuesday. 

Nine deaths so far have been reported from Maharashtra and two each in Bihar, Karnataka, Gujarat, Punjab, Delhi, West Bengal and Himachal Pradesh. 

According to the data, the number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 512 while 41 people have been cured/discharged or migrated. The figure includes 43 foreign nationals, the Health Ministry said. Kerala has reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases so far at 109, including eight foreign nationals, followed by Maharashtra which recorded 101, including three foreigners, according to the ministry data. -- PTI

Image: Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamta Banerjee covers her face as she visits government hospitals in Kolkata yesterday, amid the coronavirus pandemic. Pic: ANI

Welcome back, Mr Abdullah.

The company said, in the last couple of days there has been a significant amount of difficulty in running the factories and transportation of goods. 

"The government has rightly permitted food, vegetables, groceries and medicines to be excluded from the lockdown. However, clear instructions need to be provided to the enforcement authorities across states so that these essential items and the supply chain around it, is allowed to function," a company spokesperson said. 

HUL manufactures and supplies essential day-to-day products such as soaps, hand sanitizers, laundry detergents, floor cleaners, disinfectants and foods among others. "While our priority continues to be the safety of our people, given these extremely challenging conditions, it is important that we fulfil the surge in demand from our consumers for handwash, sanitizers, floor cleaners and hygiene products," the spokesperson added. The company is making every effort to produce and bring to the market these products in an uninterrupted manner, the spokesperson added. --PTI

The higher the dose, the better it seems to be for cardiovascular health, with a daily hot bath seemingly more protective than a once or twice weekly one, the findings indicate.

Image: People buy vegetables from a market in Kolkata during the lockdown by the government. Pic: ANI 

In the wake of the 21-day lockdown period, the Union Home Ministry has asked state governments to check the spread of rumours about shortage of food and other essential commodities. In a communication to chief secretaries and DGPs of all states, the ministry asked them to take action to allay apprehensions and maintain peace and tranquillity, and inform people about the availability of food, medicine and other essential commodities. The ministry said that in the wake of the orders issued under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (for lockdown), there were possibilities of rumour-mongering, including those about shortage of food and other essential services and commodities.

"In this context, it is imperative that all state governments and Union Territory administrations take necessary steps to suitably publicise through all available means that food, medical and civil supplies, and other essential services will be maintained and there are adequate supplies available in the country," the communication said. PTI

Image: Panicked people come on to the road after the Prime Minister's announcement of the lockdown for 21 days against coronavirus, at Uttam Nagar in New Delhi on Tuesday. People panicked since there was no clarity on the supply of essential services defeating the purpose of the entire social distancing message. 

Asian peers were also trading higher as authorities world over stepped up efforts to fight the pandemic. However, concerns over the impact of worldwide lockdowns kept investors on edge, traders said. 

After rallying 625.41 points, the BSE barometer gave up all gains to trade 157.91 points or 0.59 per cent lower at 26,516.12. Similarly, the NSE Nifty was trading 30.30 points, or 0.39 per cent, down at 7,770.75. Reliance Industries was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, rallying up to 7 per cent, followed by Nestle India, Tech Mahindra, HDFC, PowerGrid and HUL. 

On the other hand, IndusInd Bank, ITC, L&T and ICICI Bank were the top losers. -- PTI

The magnitude of the quake, which occurred at 2:49 am, was registered at a depth of 56.7 kilometres, about 219 kilometres southeast of the Russian town of Severo-Kuril'sk, the USGS said.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage to the property as a result of the quake.Further details are awaited. -- ANI

In a tweet on Wednesday, Omar Abdullah said, "It's callous and cruel to continue to detain Mehbooba Mufti and others at a time like this. There was never much justification to detain everyone in the 1st place and none at all to keep them detained as the country enters a 3 week lockdown. I hope @PMOIndia and @HMOIndia will release them."

The Jammu and Kashmir Administration had on February 5 invoked the Public Safety Act against former Chief Ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah. The duo was detained after the Central government abrogated Article 370 last year.

Omar Abdullah was released on Tuesday after more than seven months in detention in Srinagar.Abdullah was among several political leaders who had been put under house arrest after the Central government revoked Article 370 of the Constitution that accorded special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

While Omar Abdullah's father Farooq Abdullah was released earlier this month, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti is still under detention. -- ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday greeted people on festivals, most of which mark the beginning of the new year, and said on this Navratra, he will pray for those engaged in combating coronavirus.

 

In a series of tweets, he greeted people on Ugadi, Gudhi Padava, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba.

"We are celebrating various festivals across India and also the start of a new year as per our traditional calendar. May these auspicious occasions bring good health, happiness and prosperity in our lives," the prime minister said.

He also said that as Navratri begins from Wednesday, he would pray for the good health, safety and success of those engaged in combating the deadly virus.

"Over the years, I have been worshipping Maa (Durga). This time I pray for the health, safety and success of all the nurses, doctors, medical staff, policemen and media personnel who are engaged in the fight against coronavirus," Modi said. -- PTI 

The United Kingdom on Tuesday announced the extension of all expiring or expired visas of foreign nationals, including Indians, who are unable to return home due to the coronavirus pandemic until May 31.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said no enforcement action will be taken against anyone caught up due to the current stringent travel restrictions and that certain categories, such as overseas students from countries like India, would be temporarily allowed to switch their visas from within the UK instead of the usual application rules of applying from their home countries.

"The UK continues to put the health and wellbeing of people first and nobody will be punished for circumstances outside of their control," said the Indian-origin senior Cabinet minister.

"By extending people's visas, we are giving people peace of mind and also ensuring that those in vital services can continue their work," she said.

The extension will apply to anyone whose leave expired after January 24 and who cannot leave the country because of travel restrictions or self-isolation. It will last until May 31 in the first instance but will be kept under regular review in case further extensions are needed, the Home Office said.

"Those who contact the Home Office for these visa extensions will be expected to return to their home countries as soon as possible once flight and border restrictions are lifted. No immigration enforcement action will be undertaken during this time for those who email the Home Office as outlined above," it noted.

To help those who want to apply for visas to stay in the UK long-term, the Home Office said it is temporarily expanding the in-country switching provisions.

This will mean people can apply to switch routes, such as from Tier 4 (student) to Tier 2 (General Worker) whilst remaining in the UK.

"The extension has been put in place to give these individuals peace of mind that they will not be penalised for overstaying their visa when the situation is out of their control due to COVID-19," the Home Office said.

The announcement will come as a relief for Indian nationals, including tourists, professionals and students, who have inundated the social media channels of the Indian High Commission here with queries around their expiring visas.

Like many foreign nationals, they have found themselves unable to return home due to flight cancellations and border restrictions over COVID-19.

Another relief for Indian students and professionals would be the Home Office confirmation that in light of the current advice on self-isolation and social distancing, a waiver of number of requirements on visa sponsors on allowing non-EU nationals under work or study routes to undertake their work or study from home. -- PTI

The number of coronavirus cases in the United States jumped by nearly 10,000 while about 150 Americans died in a day even as President Donald Trump hoped to reopen the country's economy by Easter, April 12.

With millions of Americans under a lockdown, the National Guard as well as the armed forces were pressed into service in several states such as New York which saw at least 53 deaths and about 5,000 new cases on Tuesday. 

New York has so far reported more than 25,000 COVID-19 cases and 210 fatalities.

According to Worldometer, a website which compiles COVID-19 cases, nearly 10,000 new coronavirus cases were reported across the country on Tuesday alone taking the total to around 54,000 while the number of fatalities surged by 150 in a day bringing its total to about 700.

Apart from New York, neighbouring New Jersey, along with California, Michigan, Illinois and Florida were the other coronavirus hotspots. However, no new cases or deaths were reported in Washington, the state which was first hit by the pathogen in the US.

President Trump, whose approval rating touched 50 per cent for the first time apparently because of his handling the coronavirus crisis on a war footing, put up a brave front on Tuesday telling reporters that he expects things to go back to normal in about three weeks' time by Easter, which is on April 12.

"I want to encourage everyone to keep following our guidelines on social distancing, avoiding large gatherings, hand washing and all the other things that everybody knows they are supposed to be doing. Ultimately, the goal is to ease the guidelines and open things up to very large sections of our country as we near the end of our historic battle with the invisible enemy," the president said.

"I hope we can do this by Easter. I think that would be a great thing for our country and we are all working very hard to make that a reality. We will be meeting a lot of people to see if it can be done," he said and also hoped the Congress would soon vote on a USD 2 trillion bill that would deliver direct cash payments to struggling Americans. -- PTI

E-commerce giant Flipkart has announced a temporary suspension of its services in the wake of the coronavirus crisis and the 21-day lockdown announced to prevent its spread.

The company, has, however, promised that it will be resuming its services soon, although a date is yet to be announced.

"Hello Fellow Indians, We are temporarily suspending our services. Your needs have always been our priority and our promise is that we will be back to serve you, as soon as possible," a message displayed on the company's website read.

"These are difficult times, times like no other. Never before, have communities stayed apart to stay safe! Never before, has being at home meant helping the nation!" it added.

Clothing website Myntra, which is a part of the Flipkart group, has also announced that it is "temporarily not accepting any new orders."

The company also urged all Indians to stay inside their homes during the 21-day lockdown. -- ANI

Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government on Wednesday banned export of anti-malarial drug hydroxycloroquine, with immediate effect to ensure sufficient availability of the medicine in the domestic market.

 

Indian Council of Medical Research Director General Balram Bhargava had on Monday recommended the use of hydroxychloroquine for treating healthcare workers handling suspected or confirmed coronavirus cases and also the asymptomatic household contacts of the lab-confirmed cases.

The treatment protocol recommended by the ICMR-constituted National Task Force for COVID-19 has been approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) for restricted use in emergency situations.

In a notification issued on Wednesday, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, an arm of the commerce ministry which deals with export and import-related matters, said, "The export of hydroxycloroquine and formulations made from hydroxycloroquine is prohibited with immediate effect".

It, however, said the government will allow export of the medicine on humanitarian grounds on case-to-case basis on the Ministry of External Affairs' recommendation.

Export will also be permitted from the special economic zones/export oriented units and in cases where the outbound shipment is made to fulfil export obligation under any advance authorisation license issued on or before the date of this notification, which is March 25, 2020.

It added, "Export will be allowed in case of shipments where irrevocable letter of credit has been issued before the date of this notification or in case where full advance payment has been received by the exporter in India against specific shipment, subject to submission of documentary evidence."

According to some reports, demand for hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, a related compound, have jumped after US President Donald Trump said that these salts were effective in treating COVID-19. 

People are panic buying this medicine.

Over the last few weeks, India has banned exports of host of medical devices including sanitisers, all types of ventilators and surgical masks. -- PTI

Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday night announced creation of a WhatsApp chatbox to enable citizens to get coronavirus-related information.

The WhatsApp chatbox is 912026127394, Thackeray said.

He appealed to international travellers to disclose their recent travel history and not hide it.

The chief minister asked people to cooperate with the state administration in effectively tackling the coronavirus crisis.

Maharashtra has reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases (107) among states so far. -- PTI 

The Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned the hearing on matters listed for March 25 in the wake of a 21-day nationwide lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The cause list for Wednesday, uploaded on the apex court's website, earlier showed two benches of justices D Y Chandrachud and Surya Kant and justices L Nageswara Rao and Aniruddha Bose taking up 15 matters for hearing through videoconferencing.

In a circular issued late Tuesday evening after Modi in his address to the nation announced a complete lockdown of the country to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the apex court said these 15 matters will not be taken up and the hearing stands adjourned.

No court rooms were specified in the cause list, which means judges were to hear the 15 matters from their respective chambers or offices.

The advocates appearing in these matters were asked to address the court through videoconferencing mode on personal desktop/laptop or mobile phone or from mediation centre of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC) as directed in a circular on March 23.

The cause list had also warned the advocates-on-record not to share videoconferencing link with others as it will deactivate the original link shared with the advocate on his e-mail.

It said that only one link will be activated for video conferencing.

The top court on March 23 had held successful trial of its functioning through videoconferencing and three matters were heard virtually in which judges sat in the courtroom while advocates argued from a different spot in the apex court.

In a circular issued the same day, the apex court resorted to almost a lockdown- like situation to contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and suspended the entry of advocates and other staff into the high security zone on the basis of their proximity cards till further orders.

The top court without specifying any date had said that only one or two courts will sit to take up extremely urgent matters through videoconferencing by an app, which will be installed in desktop, laptop or mobile phones.

The top court had also directed that the lawyers' chamber and offices will be closed, and advised that advocates should not attend office as no sanitation staffs will be allowed inside.

The circular had said that matters extremely urgent in nature will be heard virtually on 'Vidyo' app and lawyers were advised to download the app on their desktop/laptop or mobile phone.  -- PTI