Delhi to be under lockdown for 9 days from March 23rd 6 am to March 31st 12 am as a measure to contain the transmission of coronavirus.
Today India observed "Janata Curfew"- a stay-at-home measure. As a mandatory to Janata Curfew as told by Prime Minister Narendra Modi citizens were seen clapping, banging utensils at homes to show appreciation to those out in the field amid coronavirus pandemic. Large gatherings have been banned in Delhi, violators will be punished, the police said as coronavirus cases rise in the country. Section 144 has been imposed in Delhi to curb the virus transmission. India has so far reported seven death cases amid coronavirus.
Health experts said India's cases have been growing at a rate seen during the early stages of the outbreak in other countries, which subsequently reported exponential increases in infections. Several states announced measures to curb the spread of coronavirus. State leaders urged citizens not to rush to villages, avoid crowding trains and buses to prevent the virus spread. Tensions have mounted, however, with angry laborers protesting at some bus stations against sudden closures of basic transport services. Private events, such as weddings, and local elections were canceled. The federal government was accelerating the production of masks and allowed deodorant manufacturers to produce sanitizers.
Here are the Highlights on Coronavirus developments:
Mumbai:The Sit-in protest on Morland Road that was ongoing for over 50 days against CAA,NRC&NPR has been temporarily called off in the wake of #COVID19. Zonal DCP Abhinash Kumar said,"Women protesters took decision to postpone protest in view of the spread of Coronavirus".(22.03) pic.twitter.com/ffvxMexbZW
- ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2020
Curfew to remain imposed in Pune, Maharashtra till March 31. All establishments excluding emergency services & essentials to remain closed in city during this period. Any offender shall be punished under section 188 of Indian Penal Code: Pune Police #COVID19 https://t.co/duGd8s91MJ
- ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2020
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
Pilibhit added to list of districts where lockdown is imposed from 23-25 March.Other 15 districts are-Agra, Lucknow, Gautam Budh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Moradabad, Varanasi, Lakhimpur Khiri, Bareilly, Azamgarh, Kanpur, Meerut, Prayagraj, Aligarh, Gorakhpur&Saharanpur: UP Govt #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/OO9WoN7C7k
- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 22, 2020
नागपुर में पूरे परिवार के साथ अपने घर की बालकनी में खड़े होकर, कोरोना के खिलाफ लड़ रहे डॉक्टर, नर्सेस, प्रशासन के अधिकारी, मीडिया कर्मियों के लिए तालिया बजाकर उनका धन्यवाद किया। #clapforourcarers #IndiaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/57oUknezYA
- Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) March 22, 2020
Persons who have been diagnosed as infected with #COVID19 shall mandatorily remain in isolation facility of hospital and shall leave the premises only after being discharged by the treating doctor: Government of Delhi https://t.co/G2wygz3QOQ
- ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2020
2 #COVID19 positive cases in Bihar till now,both from Patna. One died due to renal failure. One of family members of 2nd positive case has travel history to Italy.The family member was in quarantine&showed no symptoms.We're tracing contacts of cases:Principal Sec,Health,Sanjay Kr https://t.co/dysBdqp36d pic.twitter.com/N57C4dKbB3
- ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2020
On janata curfew, people across the country posted photos and videos of how they are passing time during the self-imposed one-day quarantine that was requested by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The janata curfew was necessitated by the rising cases of COVID-19, a highly infectious disease caused by the Novel Coronavirus that primarily attacks the respiratory system."
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today lauded efforts of health professionals and security personnel in fight against COVID-19.
During the "Janta curfew" today, Mr Singh worked from home and expressed gratitude to those serving the nation in these difficult times.
"At 5 pm, he joined the rest of the nation in applauding those who are leaving no stone unturned to arrest the spread of the virus and ensuring the supply and services of all essential commodities, including the safety and health, to the citizens," a statement said.
Mr Singh also commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his idea of "Janta curfew", terming it as the biggest social distancing and mass awareness initiative against a pandemic in the history of mankind.
He hailed PM Modi for "bringing the entire nation together at this critical juncture and giving the people a great amount of hope in combating the coronavirus".
Shiv Sena MPs won't attend Parliament's budget session from Monday in view of coronavirus outbreak, said Sanjay Raut.
The total number of coronavirus positive patients in Maharashtra rose to 74 today with addition of 10 more such cases.
At 24, the highest number of these cases were reported from Mumbai, followed by 15 from Pune, 12 from Pimpri Chinchwada and four each from Navi Mumbai, Nagpur, Kalyan and Yavatmal, an official statement said.
Two persons have tested positive in Ahmednagar, while one each in Panvel, Thane, Ulhasnagar, Aurangabad and Ratnagiri, it added.
The government of Tamil Nadu today said that two more foreign returnees test positive for coronavirus.
Three new coronavirus positive cases were reported in Rajasthan today, taking the total number in the state to 28, an official said.
One positive case each was reported from Bhilwara, Jhunjhunu and Jodhpur, Additional Chief Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh said.
He said that out of the total 28 cases, 13 are from Bhilwara and four from Jhunjhunu and rest from other parts of the state including the capital city Jaipur.
Mr Singh said that the government is in process if earmarking quarantine facility for 1 lakh people to face any emergency.
Night curfew was imposed in East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya today to tackle any emergent situation and ensure safety of people, amid concerns over coronavirus threat.
The night curfew has also been imposed to prevent incoming vehicles from Assam from entering the district via Malidor area, according to a senior government official.
"Keeping in view the emerging scenario, safety of the people, and to avoid any outbreak of an epidemic, night curfew has been imposed with effect from 7 pm on March 22 till 7 am on March 23," district magistrate FM Dopt said.
The state government has also directed its employees to be stationed at their places of posting even as inter-state and inter-district public transport have been withdrawn till March 31, according to a government notification.
Chief Secretary MS Rao has restricted government employees from leaving their place of posting without the permission of their respective deputy commissioners.
He also directed government employees to keep their mobile phones switched on so that they are available for any emergency requirement at all times, warning that non-compliance will be viewed seriously.
Lockdown has been imposed in Andhra Pradesh till March 31 in the backdrop of coronavirus outbreak in the country, said state Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy today.
"Until March 31, let us follow what the nation is doing. After that let us take stock of the situation; and will go ahead accordingly. I request all people to confine to houses, not to move out of their homes during the lockdown period in the state," said Mr Reddy at a press conference in Amaravati.
He said during this phase, the government will make ration available for the poor till March 29. "1 kg Dal will be given free, along with free ration. Every poor family will be given Rs 1,000 for ration purpose and in total Rs 1,500 crores will be spent for the scheme," he said.
Sixth confirmed coronavirus case in Andhra Pradesh, patient's husband with a travel history to Saudi Arabia earlier tested positive for in Visakhapatnam, says official.
Coronavirus claimed its first victim in Gujarat today when a 67-year-old man, who had tested positive for the infection, died at a private
hospital in Surat, officials said.
The total number of infected persons in the state went up to 18 with four new positive cases reported today alone. The total positive cases include the dead person, they said.
The Surat man, with travel history to Delhi and Jaipur, was admitted to a private hospital in Gandhinagar on March 17 with several complications related to kidney and asthma. He tested positive for coronavirus on March 21, officials said.
Of the total 18 cases, two each were reported from Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar today.
Two special trains carrying passengers from Mumbai and Pune in Maharashtra arrived at Kolkata's Howrah station today, Railway sources said.
The medical officers of the state government examined the passengers who disembarked at both Howrah and Kharagpur railway stations, they said.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had on Saturday alleged that the Railways was not ensuring proper screening of passengers entering the state through long-distance trains.
She claimed that migrant workers from the state, particularly those in Maharashtra, were being packed off in trains and sent back without medical checkups.
The medical officers also examined the passengers who disembarked at Kharagpur railway station, the sources said. Apart from the special trains, passengers of all long-distance trains arriving at Howrah in the South Eastern Railway jurisdiction today were being screened for any signs of fever, cough, they said.
A man, who recently returned from Denmark, and his mother tested positive for coronavirus in Greater Noida (West) today, taking the number of identified COVID-19 cases in Gautam Buddh Nagar to eight, officials said.
The mother and son, residents of Sector 2 in Greater Noida (West), also known as Noida Extension, were quarantined at the Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), while two of their family members were in home isolation, they added.
"The son, 37, returned from Denmark on March 9. But it was his mother, 62, who first showed coronavirus symptoms, after which both were tested on March 19 and quarantined. Their reports came on Sunday and they have tested positive. Both are quarantined at GIMS now," Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Anurag Bhargava said.
The Delhi government has identified around 35,000 people who have returned from abroad and are living in Delhi after 1 March 2020.
The government has ordered all the district magistrates to verify that these people are in the 14-day home quarantine.
People exposed to these people should also be home quarantined for 14 days
The person who has been infected with the coronavirus will have to remain in isolation in the hospital, the person will leave the hospital only when the treating doctor will discharge them.
Jharkhand declares lockdown with immediate effect till March 31 to contain spread of novel coronavirus pandemic, an official release revealed.
Amid the coronavirus scare, Indian Air Force issued directions to reduce attendance in its headquarters with effect from March 23, excluding personnel engaged in essential and emergency services directly involved in taking measures to control spread of COVID-19.
Indian Air Force officials said it was also decided that 30 per cent of officers and 50 per cent of junior officers will work from home adhering to home quarantine for a week starting March 23.
Further it was also directed that a second group to proceed on home quarantine on March 30, 2020, and intermixing of groups to be avoided.
Three more persons tested positive for novel coronavirus in Kolkata today, taking the total number of COVID-19 cases in West Bengal to seven, health department officials said.
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.
All the three are currently at an isolation ward of the state-run hospital, officials said.
Eight other members of the youth's family were admitted to the isolation ward, officials said.
The 22-year-old man, who is pursuing higher studies in the United Kingdom, had returned home on March 13. He was admitted to the hospital on Thursday with COVID-19 symptoms.
Priyanka Gandhi has tweeted 'thank you' to all those who are involved in fight against Covid-19 ahead of lockdown in various parts in the country.
"We are proud of your courage & we're grateful for you," Priyanka Gandhi tweeted saluting the courage of the workers and doctors.
भारत और पूरे विश्व में कोरोना वाइरस से जंग लड़ रहे सभी डाक्टरों, नर्सों, तकनीक विशेषज्ञों, जैव तकनीक के विशेषज्ञों, मेडिकल कर्मियों, मेडिकल सह कर्मियों, स्वास्थ्य सेवकों/ सेविकाओं और सफाईकर्मियों को धन्यवाद।
- Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) March 22, 2020
आपके बिना ये लड़ाई लड़ना संभव नहीं था।
हमें आप पर नाज़ है। #ThankYou pic.twitter.com/RoF2u37Cj0
#WATCH Gujarat: Mother of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Heeraben clangs utensil at her residence to express gratitude to those providing essential services amid #CoronavirusPandemic. pic.twitter.com/ipaI1yOtoB
- ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2020
The Himachal Pradesh government today ordered an indefinite "complete lockdown" in Kangra district, where two persons have tested positive for coronavirus, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said.
In a statement, the Chief Minister urged people not to panic as "the state has adequate stock of essential commodities".
The West Bengal government today ordered complete lockdown of Kolkata, six districts and municipal and district towns besides some rural areas in other parts of the state from 5 pm on Monday to Friday midnight to combat the spread of coronavirus.
The order was given under the West Bengal Epidemic Disease's COVID-19 regulations, 2020, framed according to relevant sections of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration today ordered the shutdown of all establishments except those providing essential services and commodities across the Union Territory till March 31.
The shutdown will come into effect from 8 pm tonight till 6 pm on March 31, Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam said in a letter to all 20 deputy commissioners of the Union Territorry.
He said the shutdown was necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic and break the transmission chain of the virus.
"...it is necessary to enforce social distancing, i.e.,preventing/minimizing close contact between people, therefore, Deputy Commissioners/District Magistrates shall issue orders under section 144 CrPC and also under the Disaster Management Act 2005 (both Acts) to shutdown all establishments except those providing essential commodities/services in their districts from Sunday 22 March, 2020 (08.00 PM) till Tuesday, the 31st March, 2020 (06.00 pm)," the letter said.
As the number of coronavirus cases across the world continues to rise, Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidong today wished his host country an early victory over the pandemic.
"Pay tribute to all those who have contributed to the fight against COVID-19. Wish India an early victory over the epidemic," Mr Weidong said on Twitter.
Pay tribute to all those who have contributed to the fight against #COVID19. Wish #India an early victory over the epidemic.
- Sun Weidong (@China_Amb_India) March 22, 2020
Uttar Pradesh to remain completely shut from March 23-March 25. Transport services will be closed. Inter state connectivity to remain shut in the state. Bus services to Nepal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi will remain closed till March 25.
A senior official of aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) clarified that domestic flights will be operating as usual at the airport.
The centre had announced three days ago that no international flight will be landing on the Indian soil from today onward for a period of one week.
"Domestic flights to and from the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi will continue to operate and the airport will remain functional," the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) official said.
At a press conference today evening, Arvind Kejriwal told reporters that no domestic or international flight would be allowed to arrive at the Delhi airport from March 23 to March 31.
In an order, the Delhi government subsequently reiterated the same.
In the wake of coronavirus scare, the Nagaland government has ordered the closing of all business establishments except pharmacies, petrol pumps, grocery shops and shops selling other essential commodities from midnight of March 22.
"All business establishments expect pharmacies, petrol pumps, grocery shops and shops selling essential commodities shall remain closed from midnight of March 22 till further orders," said a government official.
Karnataka has reported one death and 26 COVID-19 positive cases.
Bihar also announced complete lock down till March 31 in the wake of coronavirus.
राष्ट्रपति कोविन्द ने भारत की प्रथम महिला व परिवार के अन्य सदस्यों सहित सभी देशवासियों की ध्वनि में ध्वनि मिलाते हुए उन सभी लोगों के प्रति कृतज्ञता व्यक्त की जो अपने और अपने परिवारजनों के जीवन का जोखिम उठाते हुए भी राष्ट्र के स्वास्थ्य की रक्षा कर रहे हैं।#JantaCurfew pic.twitter.com/C8m3pu7Dsb
- President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 22, 2020
Dehli lockdown to start from March 23 at 6am and will continue till 31st March 12 am. During this time no public transport will operate and only 25% of the Delhi transport buses will be running. All the markets will be closed. The borders will also be sealed. Only important commodities will be to be in flow.
This measure was taken to curb the spread of coronavirus which transmits very easily through water droplets and has already crossed 300 mark in India.
Senior Uttar Pradesh Congress leader Jitin Prasada, who had attended a party with Bollywood singer Kanika Kapoor days before she tested positive for coronavirus, tested negative for COVID-19 today, the King George's Medical University said in a statement in Uttar Pradesh.
Mr Prasada said, "My wife and I have been tested negative for COVID-19. We had gone to the party of Kanika Kapoor on March 15. The results of the test came on Sunday after the samples were taken yesterday."
"For the next 14 days, I will be under self-isolation," the former union minister said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to twitter and said that the country has tanked each one who led the fight against coronavirus. He said, "It is a sound of thanks, but also the beginning of victory in a long battle. Let us, with this determination, tie ourselves in social distancing for a long battle with this restraint."
कोरोना वायरस की लड़ाई का नेतृत्व करने वाले प्रत्येक व्यक्ति को देश ने एक मन होकर धन्यवाद अर्पित किया। देशवासियों का बहुत-बहुत आभार... #JantaCurfew
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 22, 2020
In the wake of coronavirus scare, the West Bengal transport department today ordered the suspension of trucks carrying non-essential cargo items from midnight of March 22 till March 31.
"No such non-essential items carried in National Permit holding Goods Carriages like trucks, trailers, etc shall be allowed to enter the state from outside with effect from 12 midnight of March 22 till March 31," read the letter issued by the transport department.
Earlier today, the state government had ordered the suspension of all interstate bus services till March 31 as a preventive measure to check the spread of coronavirus.
As per the Union Health Ministry, till now the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases including foreign nationals is 341.
Janata curfew: Citizens clap, bang utensils at homes to show appreciation to those out in the field amid coronavirus pandemic.#WATCH Punjab: People come out on their balconies to clap, clang utensils and ring bells to express their gratitude to those providing essential services amid #CoronavirusPandemic. Visuals from Amritsar. pic.twitter.com/PUJgDlCBId
- ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2020
Section 144 imposed in Delhi to contain the spread of coronvirus. Under Section 144 gathering of more than four-five people are banned. Since the number of coronavirus cases in Delhi is on the rise the decision was taken to curb the transmission of the virus.
People who arrived from abroad the strategy is to isolate them. To break the chain of transmission we need to isolate them. Virus has strong transmission ability. Various Indian departments are working together to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Deaths are very less. Isolate them coming from outside. Mass screening to isolate them. We are conducting swab test by extracting RNA.
The Uttarakhand government imposed a lockdown till March 31 in the state today to contain the spread of the coronavirus, officials said.
However, essential supplies such as medicines, foodgrains, vegetables etc. were kept out of the ambit of the lockdown, they added.
The lockdown was imposed on a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for a countrywide "Janata Curfew" evoked a spontaneous response across the state with people staying at home and roads and marketplaces wearing a deserted look.
Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat had thrown clear hints about harsher measures to check the spread of the coronavirus when in a thanksgiving message to the people of the state for the success of the "Janata Curfew" earlier in the day, he had asked them to remain prepared for even tougher times ahead.
However, he had said there will be no shortage of foodgrains or medicines.
A woman having symptoms of coronavirus died while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, today, said Dr Saroj Naithani, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Haridwar.
According to the official, the woman returned from the US on March 6.
She was admitted to a hospital early morning today as her health deteriorated. The doctors at the medical centre immediately collected her samples for coronavirus test.
The Uttarakhand state health department is looking into the matter.
The Centre and state governments have decided to announce a lockdown in 75 districts across the country where coronavirus cases have been reported, officials said today.
It has also decided to suspend inter-state bus services till March 31, they said.
The decisions have been taken at a high level meeting attended by chief secretaries of all states and the cabinet secretary and the principal secretary to the Prime Minister.
In view of the need to contain the spread of COVID 19, it was agreed that there is urgent need to extend the restrictions on the movement of non-essential passenger transport including inter-state transport buses till March 31, 2020, a home ministry official said.
State governments will issue orders allowing only essential services to operate in about 75 districts with confirmed COVID 19 cases or casualties, the official said.
Section 144 imposed from 9 pm to 12 am (midnight) in commissionerate limits to ensure people do not come out of their home once the JanataCurfew ends, Bhaskar Rao, Commissioner of police, Bangalore city said.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray today said, "Number of cases has increased considerably. I have no option left but to apply Section 144 in Maharashtra. No flights outside of India will be allowed to land in Mumbai".
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today urged that the Janata Curfew be extended till tomorrow morning. He said, "I would like to request everyone to continue #JanataCurfew till tomorrow morning."
Noida Metro Rail Corporation said that all Noida-Greater Noida metro, Noida bus services till resume only after 31st March. The move has been taken to contain the spread of coronavirus cases.
Remember | #COVID19
- Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) March 22, 2020
💉 There is no miracle cure yet. Wait for science to do its job.
🦠 Virus doesn't discriminate on the basis of religion, nationality or dietary habits.
🔎 We have to fight this battle. Not enough evidence to claim that it will go away in summer.#StayHome
Stadium in Bengal transformed into a 150-bed temporary hospital for #COVID19+ patients
- Citizen Derek | নাগরিক ডেরেক (@derekobrienmp) March 22, 2020
Decisive.Compassionate. #Bengal govt's swift action to help fight #COVID19outbreak
One of many steps taken by @MamataOfficial So proud of my captain
Stay strong, we'll fight this together pic.twitter.com/SLfwYlw0ZG
#JantaCurfew is on.
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 22, 2020
Eminent personalities are encouraging a Stay At Home Sunday to fight Coronavirus.
And, people's support is emphatic.https://t.co/FpSM7DXxQ1https://t.co/JmmqldtpBBhttps://t.co/iC2PFywebu
The 4 year old child who was suspected of #covid19 and tested in Jorhat Medical College and RMRC, Dibrugarh has been found NEGATIVE. There is no Covid19 positive case in Assam as of now
- Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) March 22, 2020
Moments before the "Janata Curfew" that he proposed came into effect on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that the daylong stay-at-home for millions of Indians would "add tremendous strength to the fight" against coronavirus or COVID-19. "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 steps we take now will help in the times to come," PM Modi tweeted.