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Maharashtra lockdown may extend beyond 30th April, Uddhav hints

The Maharashtra government on Saturday decided to extend the Covid-19 lockdown till April 30 with chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray underlining that it may be further extended if people do not cooperate.

“The lockdown may continue even after April 30 if people don’t cooperate in preventing the outbreak,” said CM Uddhav Thackeray while addressing people via video call.

He added that plans were being undertaken for labourers and other industries.

“The lockdown will continue from April 14 to April 30. But after April 14, whatever we will do will be according to a plan. For colleges and schools, we are working out plans. For industry also, we are working out plans. When it starts, what will start first, what will the labourers do? All these issues require answers and I will share them with you by the 14th,” he said.

Thackeray was one of the 13 chief ministers who had a video conference meeting with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the morning, to discuss whether the lockdown should be extended.

“I was asked to speak first at the video conference. I shared my views with the Prime Minister. We have to concentrate in Mumbai and Pune. We have not stopped farming activities anywhere and that will continue. Essential services will continue. Post the 14th, we don’t want any chaos in Maharashtra,”Thackeray said.

Maharashtra is the worst-hit state by coronavirus, with 110 dead and 1,574 cases

According to Union Health Ministry’s latest figures, the highly infectious novel coronavirus or COVID-19 has infected 8,356 people in India, killed 273.

The number of coronavirus cases in India would have shot up to 8.2 lakh by April 15, the government said on Saturday, if a countrywide shutdown was not enforced.

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Kejriwal’s tweet confirms lockdown extension; Modi expected to address nation soon

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s tweet has confirmed that the country is going to witness an extension in the lockdown for two more weeks.

The lockdown was scheduled to end on Tuesday. However, it seems it is not going to happen anytime son, as Kejriwal tweeted, “PM has taken correct decision to extend lockdown. Today, India’s position is better than many developed countries because we started lockdown early. If it is stopped now, all gains would be lost. To consolidate, it is imp to extend it,” Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote.

Kejriwal’s comments came soon after the meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where he held a four-hour discussion with at least 13 chief ministers on video conference.

Another major turn of events especially in the way the problem will be solved will be focus on economy too. Towards the end of the meeting today, however, he stressed on “Jaanbhijahaanbhi (both life and economy are important)” as the lockdown has put severe stress on businesses, however, three weeks ago, while announcing the lockdown, PM Modi had said, “Jaanhaitohjahaanhai (the world exists if life exists).

Most chief ministers who attended the video conference pointed out that they may not have the massive resources needed to deal with a spurt in COVID-19 cases if the lockdown is removed sooner. The chief ministers asked the centre for relief packages.

“Extend the lockdown. We’re not short on infrastructure to deal with coronavirus, but the question is of implementing policies effectively. PM Modi has always welcomed the suggestions of states,” Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said.

Modi is likely to address the nation soon to announce the extension in lockdown. Modi said he will allow industries and construction work to reopen in a graded manner while another economic package for farmers is also expected.

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Dose of positivity: Dilshad Garden free of corona, self-help groups helps villagers with masks

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducts a video conference with all state chiefs amid rising speculations about lockdown extension in India as cases continue to surge, here are some positive developments that have taken place amid all the negativity.

Let’s throw some light on ‘good news’ about Corona:

Dilshad Garden free of COVID-19

East Delhi’s Dilshad Garden, which had been identified as one of the 10 hotspots in the country last month, was Friday declared “coronavirus-free” by the Delhi government, which said no new case had been reported in the area for the past 10 days.

Late last month, most parts of the area were completely sealed off,after a 38-year-old woman, who had returned to Delhi from Saudi Arabia, tested positive for COVID-19 and was eventually linked to several others, including a mohalla clinic doctor, testing positive.

The Delhi government Thursday named the exercise ‘Operation SHIELD’.“Under this operation, 123 medical teams screened more than 15,000 people living in 4,032 houses in Dilshad Garden. Thousands of people were quarantined and tests were done,” Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain said on Friday.

Self-help groups make masks for villagers

Various self-help groups (SHG) in Ghaziabad are making masks for the poor. About 40-45 women from several SHGs in Loni are producing about 200 masks daily with the support of the administration under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission. The masks are being sold in various gram panchayats.

Sangeeta, a member of Shilpa SHG, shared: “We are paid Rs 5 per mask. In times like these, apart from being a source of income, it also gives us satisfaction that we are doing our bit. We use polyester and cotton cloth and net for making different types of masks. It takes about 15 minutes to make one mask.”

Around 3,500 masks have been sold since February.

10 patients recover in Odisha

At least 10 persons in Odisha who were tested positive for coronavirus have now recovered. The number of active cases in the state that has been witnessing a surge in the infections, now stands at 35.

Of the cured, five are from Bhubaneswar, two from Bhadrak and one each from Cuttack, Jajpur and Puri district of Odisha.

The Health department of the state also congratulated the doctors and medics who treated them.

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After Odisha, Punjab extends lockdown. Other states to follow suit?

Amid apprehensions of community spread, Captain Amarinder Singh-led Punjab government has decided to extend the lockdown in the state till May 1. The move comes after the state is seeing a rapid rise in the number of Covid-19 cases that has already crossed the 100-mark in the state.

The CM took the decision after a state cabinet meeting today.

“The decision was taken at a meeting of the council of ministers, chaired by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, to check community spread of the coronavirus pandemic and to prevent overcrowding at the Mandis in the light of the ensuing wheat harvesting/procurement season,” the government said in a press statement.

The Chief Minister said the curfew restrictions were essential so that the medical infrastructure is not burdened beyond its capabilities.

Captain Amarinder said he will request former Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Ahluwalia to head a high-powered committee to suggest a road map for State’s economic revival in post-COVID era once the crisis softens.

Punjab has become the second state to extend the lockdown. Odisha became the first state in India to confirm an extension of lockdown with the measure now being implemented through to 30 April with schools remaining closed through to mid-June.

State Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik claimed: “At this crucial juncture one has to decide between protecting lives of people and economic activity. The state cabinet, which met today, decided that saving the lives of our people is the topmost priority at this juncture”.

With Punjab and Odisha making the big announcements, it is being awaited if other states too make such big moves.

India’s financial capital and home to over 24 million people Mumbai has become India’s coronavirus epicentre. The metropolis and its suburbs have reported over 700 positive cases so far. The state has sealed major hotspots and will screen all seven lakh persons in the Dharavi, an area where the virus has been spreading rapidly.

Delhi and Uttar Pradesh have also sealed major Corona hotspots in a bid to curb the menace.

It remains to be seen if these states will too extend the lockdown, considering Prime Minister Narendra Modi hinted at extending the national lockdown after states stressed on doing so to stop the increase the cases.

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Are you living in a corona hotspot? 7 things you need to know!

In a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus, the Delhi and Uttar Pradesh governments on Wednesday announced the sealing of Corona hotspots. These particular areas in the states are the ones where six or more people have been identified as positive. Authorities believe that there could be a higher probability of infection in these areas.

As it stands, restrictions in these areas will be tighter than other areas under lockdown.

So, if you are living in a corona hotspot, this is what you need to know:

  1. You are restricted to go out to even buy groceries and medicines. You can order all essentials at home.
  2. Ambulances that have special permission will be allowed within these hotspots for emergency cases.
  3. Authorities undertake door-to-door monitoring of cases if any.
  4. Sanitisation efforts are taken at a larger scale.
  5. You cannot move in or out of these areas.
  6. Even media is restricted to move inside these areas.
  7. All entry and exits to the areas will be closed.

So far, several pockets in the city have been declared containment zones, including parts of Nizamuddin, Dilshad Garden, Vasundhara Enclave, Kalyanpuri, Pandav Nagar, Krishan Kunj, Khichripur, Malviya Nagar, Sangam Vihar and Patparganj.

Delhi has reported close to 600 positive cases since the outbreak of the infection, with more than 50 per cent cases from Nizamuddin Markaz — where over 2,300 people from different parts of the world and country were staying under one roof without following any social distancing.

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Coronavirus big developments: UP ‘hotspots’ sealed; PM hints at lockdown extension

UP ‘hotspots’ of Coronavirus sealed

The Uttar Pradesh government on April 8th decided to seal 15 districts, all considered to be the hotspots for Coronavirus, effective today midnight. he districts to be sealed are Lucknow, Noida, Ghaziabad, Sitapur, Kanpur, Agra, Ferozabad, Bareilly, Meerut, Shamli, Saharanpur, Bulandshahr, Varanasi, Maharajganj and Basti.

The move is aimed to prevent community spread, as the numbers of positive coronavirus cases reported from these districts are high.

“Districts which have 6 or more cases are Agra, Lucknow, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, Kanpur Nagar, Varanasi, Shamli, Meerut, Bareilly, Bulandshahr, Basti, Saharanpur, Maharajganj & Sitapur. Lockdown will be observed in the hotspots in these districts,” Additional Chief Secretary, (Home), Awanish K Awasthi said.

During this lockdown, only home delivery of essential items will be allowed. The movement for delivery of such items and the movement of medical teams will be allowed in these districts.

However, medical shops and petrol pumps will remain closed.

Any bank would not issue notice to any farmers for non-payment of loans till May 31.

PM hints at lockdown extension

Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested today that the lockdown to check the spread of coronavirus will be extended and restrictions will not be lifted in one go after April 14, amid a spurt in COVID-19 infections in the country.

At the all-party meeting via video conferencing, Modi told the opposition leaders and leaders of states that it is a long drawn fight.

Since the number of coronavirus cases continue to surge and deaths continue to mount, several state governments and experts pushed for an extension of the lockdown.

PM Modi also said that he will be speaking to the chief ministers of the state to take a final call on the lockdown. He told the opposition leaders will speak to your CMs.

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India may extend lockdown; allows hydroxychloroquine export amid ‘retaliation’ threat by Trump

According to sources, the Centre is thinking to extend the 21-day lockdown, which will end on April 14, till the end of the month after many states and experts made a request for it.

Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao cautioned that if the Covid-19 lockdown is lifted it could cost lives adding that he will appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to extend lockdown to check the spread of coronavirus in the country.

A senior government official indicated that Uttar Pradesh may also extend the ongoing lockdown beyond April 14, citing the rising number of COVID-19 positive cases in the State including those linked to the Tablighi Jamaat.

The senior official’s statement came two days after Mr. Adityanath himself said that the lockdown in U.P. would come to an end on April 15, but would be implemented in phases.

A senior bureaucrat in Punjab has also favoured an extension of the lockdown. On Friday, a minister in Maharashtra, the worst-hit state in the country, also said that the restriction should not end on April 14.

On the day fourteen of a 21-day lockdown, the Health Ministry in a press briefing said 354 new cases, 8 deaths in last 24 hours have been registered.

Meanwhile, in another major development India has approved some exports of hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malaria drug being touted as a possible coronavirus treatment, after apparent pressure from Donald Trump, who has been urging Americans to take it.

India, the world’s largest producer of hydroxychloroquine, had put a temporary export ban on the drug in order to preserve domestic stocks.

The partial lifting of the export ban comes after Trump confirmed he had called Narendra Modi, the Indian prime minister, over the weekend threatening “retaliation” if the country did not release its stocks.

“I spoke to him (Narendra Modi) Sunday morning, called him, and I said, we’d appreciate you allowing our supply to come out. If he doesn’t allow it to come out. That would be OK. But of course, there may be retaliation. Why wouldn’t there be,” the US President saidat a White House press briefing.

India’s neighbouring countries, such as Sri Lanka and Nepal, have also put in orders for the drug. India said it would consider all exports on a case-by-case basis.

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COVID-19: India was proactive at every step, says Modi

Addressing his party workers on the 40th Foundation Day of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which also marked the 13th day of national lockdown in India in a bid to control the spread of Coronavirus, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged all party workers and the citizens of the country to use home-made face masks.

He also asked them to follow the guidelines and “help those in need and reaffirm the importance of social distancing”.

Modi also hailed the discipline shown by the people of the country in making the lockdown in the wake of Covid-19 a success.

“Whether it was the Janta Curfew, or the nationwide lockdown, all of us have firmly stood together. The maturity shown by 130 crore people of India is unprecedented. Nobody could have believed that people of this country will show such discipline,” he said.

He also said that the unity shown by the people was at display during the 9 pm-9 minute event on Sunday night.

“Yesterday, we got a glimpse of the sense of unity displayed by the people of the country. From villages, to big cities, countless lamps were lit to fight the darkness of coronavirus. These mega-steps taken by 130 crore Indians have prepared us for a long fight. Today, the direction and mission of the entire country is one,” said PM Modi.

He also appreciated the support given by state governments in fight against Covid-19 and said that the steps taken by India has set an example for the world.

“India was proactive at every step, and they were expedited with the help of state governments. The holistic approach taken by us has been hailed by various countries, as well as WHO,” he said.

Before his address, Modi also expressed his thoughts in a series of tweets.

“We mark our party’s 40th anniversary when India is battling COVID-19. I appeal to BJP Karyakartas to follow the set of guidelines from our party president JP Nadda-ji, help those in need and reaffirm the importance of social distancing. Let’s make India COVID-19-free,” PM Modi wrote.

“Whenever BJP has got the opportunity to serve, the party has focused on good governance and empowering the poor. In line with the Party’s ethos, our Karyakartas have worked hard to bring a positive difference in the lives of many and done great social service. We mark our party’s 40th anniversary when India is battling COVID-19. I appeal to BJP Karyakartas to follow the set of guidelines from our party president JP Nadda-ji, help those in need and reaffirm the importance of social distancing. Let’s make India COVID-19-free,” he added.

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In first such case, Tiger at New York zoo tests positive for COVID-19

A tiger at the Bronx Zoo in New York City has tested positive for the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in the first known case of a human infecting an animal and making it sick.

A four-year-old female Malayan tiger Nadia at the Bronx Zoo has tested positive, while her sister Azul, as well as two Amur tigers and three African lions, had developed a dry cough and all are expected to fully recover, it says.

“We tested the cat [Nadia] out of an abundance of caution and will ensure any knowledge we gain about Covid-19 will contribute to the world’s continuing understanding of this novel coronavirus,” the zoo said in a statement on Sunday.

The big cats did have some decrease in appetite but “are otherwise doing well under veterinary care and are bright, alert, and interactive with their keepers”.

The virus that causes COVID-19 is believed to have spread from animals to humans, and a handful of animals have tested positive in Hong Kong.

But officials believe this is a unique case because Nadia became sick after exposure to an asymptomatic zoo employee, Paul Calle, chief veterinarian at the Bronx Zoo, told Reuters.

Nadia underwent X-rays, an ultrasound and blood tests to try to figure out what was ailing her. They decided to test for COVID-19 given the surge in cases in New York City, the epicenter of the outbreak in the United States.

The first tiger at the zoo, which has been shut since mid-March, began showing signs of illness on March 27.

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COVID-19: EC postpones council polls in UP, Bihar

The Election Commission has postponed the elections to 11 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council seats which will fall vacant in May in view of the ongoing lockdown, a senior official said on Saturday.

“The tenure of 5 MLCs from graduates’ constituency and 6 MLCs from teachers’ constituency is coming to an end on May 6. Hence, elections should be held on these seats,” Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh Ajay Kumar Shukla said in a statement.

The Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council has 100 seats. At present, it has a strength of 99, while one seat is vacant.

The poll panel had also further postponed the elections to the Rajya Sabha in the view of coronavirus outbreak. The fresh dates will be announced later, it said.

The election for 18 Rajya Sabha seats was earlier scheduled to be held on March 26.

While 17 members from six states are retiring on April 9, one from Meghalaya is retiring on April 12. The 18 seats are spread across Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Meghalaya.

The EC statement points out that the electoral process involves the “movement and gathering of polling officials, agents of political parties, support officials and electors on the poll day, which may put public safety at risk and create public health hazard”.

“The commission, after taking all facts and circumstances in view, is of the considered view that continuing electoral process in the current environment may not be feasible in view of the restrictions for the maintenance of public safety and avoiding health hazard…,” the statement said.