The government today asked states to ensure the 21-day lockdown, asking them to help curb the exodus of migrant workers from cities, as the overall number of COVID-19 positive people crossed the 1000 mark.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who declared a 21-day lockdown last week, warned against violation of the restrictions, saying those doing so were "playing with their own lives'. He also apologized for the lockdown decision inconveniencing the poor, but made it clear that it was the need of the hour.
Today, in his radio address at Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi talked extensively about COVID-19.
People who are infected with the disease are being discriminated and they are looked down upon. PM Modi urged people to be more sympathetic towards them and told to maintain social distancing and not emotional distancing.
After PM Modi's address, President Ram Nath Kovind, today pledged to contribute his one month salary to PM-CARES Fund to help fight the coronavirus battle. Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked President Ram Nath Kovind for his generous contribution and said that this will be inspiring for the nation.
A vaccine is still at least 12 to 18 months away, the World Health Organization said, urging the countries to "unite to fight the pandemic together".
Here are the updates on Coronavirus:
He also said 11 COVID-19 patients have tested negative and would be discharged on Monday.
France today reported 292 new coronavirus deaths.
The number of fatalities, by far the highest of any country in the world, account for more than a third of all deaths from the infectious virus worldwide.
Officials deny a cover-up but have imposed a lockdown and draconian measures to stem the pandemic
The centre has asked states and union territories to allow transportation of goods without the essential and non-essential distinction during the 21-day coronavirus lockdown, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week. The delivery of newspapers, supply chain of milk collection and distribution, and supply of groceries including hygiene products are to be allowed, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said in a letter to the state and UT governments.
"Entire supply chain of milk collection and distribution, including its packaging material is allowed," Mr Bhalla said in the letter.
"Newspaper delivery supply chain is also allowed under print media," he added.
Italy's government will "inevitably" extend beyond April 3 the containment measures it had approved to stem the coronavirus outbreak in the country, the regional affairs minister said on Sunday.
Italy has suffered the most deaths from the virus epidemic and was the first Western country to introduce severe restrictions on movement after uncovering the outbreak just over five weeks ago. The government has since increasingly tightened them and these were initially expected to be softened from next Friday.
A total of 771 people have died from the COVID-19 epidemic in the Netherlands and 10,866 have tested positive, the country's institute for public health and environment (RIVM) said.
Nation rising to face #coronovirues. In togetherness @narendramodi. @MamataOfficial set an example. Am in touch with CM/Centre. 10,000 coronavirus testing kits sent by Centre to Bengal. Let's be ultra cautious as we face uphill task. Time to avoid politics - in efforts/conduct.
- Governor West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar (@jdhankhar1) March 29, 2020
The Islamic republic is one of the countries worst-hit by the virus, which first originated in China.
Vinay Kumar, a caretaker of one of the many newly set up shelter homes in Paharganj area, says that the Delhi government is working tirelessly to provide food and accommodation facilities to the migrants hit by the lockdown.
The state, as on Sunday, has 37 active COVID-19 cases, while two have died of the infection.
The services include those of all 128 hospitals and 586 dispensaries of the Indian Railways all over the country.
"The companies, which have been closed during the lockdown period, will have to pay their employees salary," said Yogi Adityanath.
"Number of COVID-19 positive cases in Bihar rises to 11. A total of 5 new cases were reported from Patna and 1 each in Nalanda, Siwan and Lakhisarai", Bihar Health Department said.
It said the prime minister's interactions include phone calls to governors, chief ministers and state health ministers.
"In this difficult phase, it is my suggestion to provide free ration to people immediately. As per reports, ration will be provided from April 5, if this is the scenario then it would be too late," Lallu said in a letter to Adityanath.
"In the past 24 hours we had 123 deaths and 2,901 people have been infected, bringing the total number of infected people to 38,309," tweeted Alireza Vahabzadeh, an adviser to Iran's health minister.
The British government admitted on Sunday that the coronavirus lockdown could last a "significant" time as a leading expert warned it could be in place until June.
"I can't make an accurate prediction but everyone I think does have to prepare for a significant period when these measures are still in place," cabinet minister Michael Gove told the BBC.
The number of confirmed cases in Spain has now reached 78,797 -- after an increase of 9.1 percent in one day -- as the country battles the world's second most deadly outbreak, AFP reported.
"With deep sadness we announce the first death due to coronavirus in Uruguay," Secretary of the Presidency Alvaro Delgado told a press conference, naming the victim as Rodolfo Gonzalez Rissotto.
Taking to Twitter, Ms Banerjee said no words were enough to thank these individuals who were selflessly carrying out their duties and inspiring fellow countrymen.
The move came after Chief Minister N Biren Singh, in a video message, assured people that "every constituency will be sanitised with the assistance of elected representatives and local clubs".
Amid the nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus, the Navi Mumbai police found over 60 people, mostly labourers, being ferried in a container truck.
A non-resident Keralite (NRK) under home quarantine in Kannur since he returned from Sharjah recently died on Sunday, officials said.
According to health authorities, Abdul Khader (65), a resident of Kannariparamba, was kept under home quarantine after he returned from abroad on March 21.
Political parties in Maharashtra have swung into action to assist the state government in its effort to control the spread of coronavirus.
The BJP, NCP and Shiv Sena have announced that one month's salary of their legislators and MPs will be donated to the relief fund to tackle coronavirus.
Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Devendra Fadnavis has asked the state BJP unit leaders and workers to assist the poor and needy in their respective areas.
The former Chief Minister, who held discussions with Maharashtra BJP leaders through audio conference on Saturday, said the party will reach out to 10 lakh poor and needy persons and provide them food and medicines. The Congress has said it will set uphelplines in every Assembly constituency of Maharashtra.
State Congress chief Balasaheb Thorat interacted with party MLAs, ministers, district unit presidents and other office-bearers through audio conference on Saturday and asked them to extend all help to those stranded,daily wagers and labourers during these difficult times. (PTI)
The Railway ministry will donate Rs 151 crore to PM-CARES fund to help in combating the coronavirus threat, Union minister Piyush Goyal said today.
"Following PM's call, I, Suresh Angadi, will donate one month's salary, 13 lakh rly, PSU employees will donate one day's salary, equal to Rs 151 cr to PM-CARES fund," Mr Goyal, who is the Railway minister, tweeted.
The centre has set up a public charitable trust under the name of Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES Fund) in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. (PTI)
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb today appealed to all wealthy businessmen in the state, including brick kiln and tea garden owners, to donate food and other essentials for the destitute, amid the lockdownimposed by centre to check the spread of COVID-19.
In his address from Doordarshan Kendra, Agartala, Mr Deb said his government was striving hard to ensure everyone in the state was safe and healthy.
"I appeal to tea garden owners, brick kiln owners, businessmen, traders and government employees who can afford to help others to donate food to the poor and the needy in their respective areas," he said in his televised appeal. (PTI)
A woman tested positive for COVID-19 in Bihar today, taking the total number of cases in the state to 11, an official said in Patna.
Among those who have tested positive, as many as six had come into contact with a dead patient, hailing from Munger district, who died at AIIMS, Patna, today last week, a day before his test reports confirmed he had COVID 19.
A female relative of his, who attended his funeral and then returned to her home in Lakhisarai district, has tested positive, state epidemiologist Ragini Mishra said, adding that she is currently admitted to a Patna hospital.
Altogether 11 people have tested positive for COVID 19 in Bihar till today, the health department official said. (PTI)
The Goa government today allowed e-commerce platforms providing home delivery of essential items to operate during the 21-day lockdown in place for the novel coronavirus outbreak.
The decision to allow firms like Swiggy and Zomato to deliver food to people's doorsteps was announced by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. (PTI)
Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa today convened an all-party meeting and apprised the opposition leaders about the measures taken by the government to contain the coronavirus in the state.
"I have been regularly holding meeting since March 13 regarding the measures taken to contain the transmission ofCOVID-19," the Chief Minister said at the meeting at the Vidhana Soudha.
The Chief Minister said a task force comprising ministers and officials has been formed to oversee the implementation of the government orders. (PTI)
The test reports of a 40-year-old woman who died in Mumbai on Saturday have come out positive for coronavirus, taking the death count of COVID-19 patients in Maharashtra to seven, a civic official said today.
The woman was admitted to a civic hospital here on Saturday after she complained of severe respiratory distress, the official said.
"She died on Saturday and her sample was sent for testing. The report came out positive for coronavirus. She is the seventh person who died of COVID-19 in the state," the official said.
"The woman was complaining of breathlessness and chest pain since last three-four days. She was also suffering from hypertension," the official added. (PTI)
The employees of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) today collectively decided to contribute Rs 21 lakh to Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM-CARES) Fund to combat the spread of coronavirus.
"The Central Board of Secondary Education as in past has decided to contribute 21,00,000 from all employees who have voluntarily come forward to donate their salary to the PM CARES Fund to aid the government's efforts to fight against the coronavirus," said Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) secretary Anurag Tripathi.
Accordingly, Group- A employees have donated two-day salaries and Group- B and C employees, one day salary to PM-CARES Fund.
PM Modi had created Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM-CARES) Fund and appealed all the countrymen to show their support for the cause. (ANI)
Thank you, Honourable President.
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 29, 2020
Rashtrapati Ji is leading the way and inspiring the nation. #IndiaFightsCorona https://t.co/QCiERMuFBW
With the increasing coronavirus cases and all India lockdown, Madhya Pradesh government decides to promote students without any examination. Although, exams for classes 10th and 12th will be conducte. (PTI)
A batch of 275 Indians evacuated from coronavirus-hit Iran arrived at the Jodhpur airport on Sunday morning, an official said.
He said a preliminary screening of the passengers was conducted at the airport and thereafter, they were shifted to the Army Wellness Facility set up at the Jodhpur Military Station.
Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Rohit Kumar Singh said of the 275 passengers, 133 were female and 142 male, including two infants and four children. (PTI)
Five more people test positive in Kashmir- two from Srinagar, two from Budgam and one from Baramulla, Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary said. (ANI)
President Ram Nath Kovind pledges to donate one-month salary to PM-CARES Fund to help the nation tide over the crisis of COVID-19. He appeals to all fellow citizens to donate generously to PM-CARES Fund to help defeat COVID-19.
- President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 29, 2020
Amid fear of community spread of the coronavirus looming large following a man with no history of travelling abroad testing positive for COVID-19 in the state, the Odisha government has taken a series of measures including augmentation of hospitals' capacity to
combat the crisis, officials said.
With financial assistance from the Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) and the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC), an elaborate arrangement has been made to set up two dedicated hospitals for COVID-19 patients with a total of 950 beds in the state capital, he said.
A similar facility with 700 beds will also be established in Cuttack for people suspected to be infected with coronavirus.
This apart, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar, is all set to make available an exclusive unit with 206 beds in its campus for treatment of such patients. Around 20 ventilators are kept ready while orders have been placed for 40 more which will be delivered by next month, AIIMS-Bhubaneswar Director B Gitanjali said. (PTI)
People who are infected with the disease are being discriminated and they are looked down upon. PM Modi urged people to be more sympathetic towards them and told to maintain social distancing and not emotional distancing.
Three more coronavirus cases were reported in Gujarat today, taking the total number of COVID-19 patients in the state to 58, an official said.
All the three new cases were reported from Ahmedabad, principal secretary (health) Jayanti Ravi said.
Of these three, a 45-year-old man died at a hospital in Ahmedabad today morning, she said, adding that the patient was also suffering from diabetes.
Two other new patients included a 67-year-old woman, whose husband had earlier tested coronavirus positive, and a 34-year-old man who recently visited Mumbai, she said. (PTI)
7 Indira canteens functioning here will distribute food packets to elder care homes,orphanages,juvenile houses&shelter homes. I request people to stay at their homes as corporation will help all: Kalaburagi City Corporation Commissioner Rahul Pandve.(28.3) #Karnataka #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/1ALaXS555h
- ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2020
दिल्ली से अपने गाँव जा रहे लोगों से मेरी अपील। pic.twitter.com/VTOGZVZFkh
- Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 29, 2020
National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) writes to States for ensuring the availability and distribution of masks, gloves, and sanitizers. NPPA chairman Shubhra Singh has written to Health Secretaries & Chief Secretaries of all States. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/PVisbHGDgy
- ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2020
Andhra Pradesh Government has decided to run mobile Rytu Bazaars (government run vegetable markets where farmers directly sell vegetables) in order to reduce crowds at vegetable markets. Visuals from the Srikakulam district today. pic.twitter.com/zL8esbSVNZ
- ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2020
Odisha: BJD MP Achyuta Samanta through KISS Foundation is distributing food to needy along with dry fruits for children in Bhubaneswar. He is also feeding around 1500 monkeys, 2000 stray dogs and birds. #COVID19 (28.03.20) pic.twitter.com/Bo9DYXTMPY
- ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2020
A 14-day quarantine is mandatory for lakhs of migrant labourers who are returning to their native towns and villages in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar after special buses were arranged for them on Saturday amid a nationwide lockdown over coronavirus or COVID-19. Read here.
CSR Funds can now donate to PM CARES Fund. Ministry of Corporate Affairs notifies details.
- Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) March 29, 2020
Rajasthan: Another batch of 275 Indian citizens brought in from Iran, reach Jodhpur. They would be kept at the Indian army's wellness centre. 277 Indians evacuated earlier this month from Iran are already lodged at this centre. #Coronavirus pic.twitter.com/4ifWr539X8
- ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2020
Delhi: Police are conducting checks on the movement of vehicles and people, allowing only those availing or rendering essential services. Visuals from Delhi-Ghazipur border. #CoronavirusLockdown pic.twitter.com/qzKI35yaBt
- ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2020
Tune in tomorrow at 11.
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 28, 2020
Tomorrow's episode will be focused on the situation prevailing due to COVID-19. #MannKiBaat pic.twitter.com/wWybvdLW8k