Thirty states and Union territories declared a lockdown by late evening on Monday as the country recorded its ninth death linked to the highly contagious coronavirus. Overall, 471 people have tested positive for the virus in the country -- 75 of them in the last 24 hours. Two persons have died, one in Bengal and the other in Himachal Pradesh. As reports of infection came in from all the key states, the Centre tightened its clampdown with a ban on domestic flights and warned of legal action against rule-breakers. Punjab, which had thousands of expats heading for home, declared curfew. So did Maharashtra, which has the highest number of COVID-19 cases. In Kolkata, sources said the 57-year-old who died at a private hospital, did not have any travel history, raising concern about the chain of transmission of the virus.
Here Are 10 Points On Coronavirus Shutdown:
30 states and union territories, covering 548 districts. have announced a complete lockdown, partial curbs have been announced in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha. This includes 80 districts, where COVID-19 cases have been confirmed.
Only two states -- Mizoram and Sikkim -- are yet to take a call no the issue, the government said.
The country registered 75 fresh cases of the virus on Monday, which pushed the total to 471. Of this, 41 are foreign nationals and nine persons died. The deaths were reported from Gujarat, Bihar, Karnataka, Delhi, Maharashtra, Punjab, Bengal and Himachal Pradesh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday tweeted: "Many people are still not taking the lockdown seriously. Please save yourself, save your family, follow the instructions seriously. I request state governments to ensure rules and laws are followed." The state governments have been asked to take legal action against those found violating lockdown orders.
The Centre -- which earlier shut down international flights, passenger trains and interstate buses -- today banned domestic flights. Airlines have to plan operations so as to land at their destination before 11.59 pm on Tuesday, the government said. Only cargo flights will be allowed. Metro services have also been stopped in an effort to enforce social distancing, which, scientists say is the only way to stop the virus.
As part of its move to contain the spread of misinformation on social media, the government has warned that no person, institution or organisation, will use print, electronic or social media, for dissemination of any information without ascertaining the facts.
Punjab became the first in the country to impose curfew in the entire state with no relaxation, and only exempted essential services to prevent the infection. Two days ago, Punjab had shut down public transport, shops, malls gyms and swimming pools. Only essential goods and services were allowed.
The country's premier medical institute, Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences, decided to shut down its OPD, including specialty services, all new and follow up patients' registration, indefinitely from March 24. Last week, the hospital had postponed all non-essential medical procedures and surgeries.
Two weeks ahead of schedule, the Lok Sabha was adjourned indefinitely in view of the coronavirus threat. The government introduced two bills even as some Opposition members, including those from the Congress, wanted to know when the government would announce a financial package for sectors affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
The Supreme Court asked all states and Union Territories to set up high-level committees to identify prisoners who could be released on parole, to help de-congest the crowded prisons.
