10 points: India stares at extended lockdown as coronavirus toll hits 7
India’s COVID-19 toll has touched seven after three new deaths were reported on Sunday, with the total the numbers of cases rising to 360 in the country. In view of the situation, several states have imposed a lockdown in its affected districts. Here are the latest developments:
India’s COVID-19 toll has touched seven after three new deaths were reported on Sunday (March 22), with the total the numbers of cases rising to 360 in the country. In view of the situation, several states have imposed a lockdown in its affected districts.
Here are the latest developments:
India observes ‘janata curfew’
Millions of people across India stayed indoors on Sunday in an overwhelming response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for a ‘janata curfew’. Modi thanked the people but said it was the start of a long battle, and urged them to follow social distancing to stop the transmission chain. (Click here for full report)
An act of gratitude
In a symbolic gesture, people across India clapped, rang chimes and blew conches at 5 pm on Sunday from their balconies and doorsteps, to thank care providers and emergency responders working on the front line of the battle against coronavirus. (Click here for full report)
80 districts under lockdown
The central and state governments have decided to lock down 80 districts from where COVID-19 cases have been reported. The districts where lockdown was announced include 10 districts each in Maharashtra and Kerala, six each in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, five each in Karnataka and Haryana, and three each in Tamil Nadu and Punjab. (Click here for full report)
States announce lockdown
Delhi will be put under lockdown from 6 am on March 23 till midnight March 31, but essential services will be allowed. Several states, including Maharashtra, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, and West Bengal, announced partial or complete lockdown for varying periods. Nagaland said it will impose an indefinite lockdown from midnight Sunday. (Click here for full report)
Spike in deaths, cases
India reported three coronavirus deaths on Sunday, including the first casualties from Bihar and Gujarat, taking the toll to seven as the number of COVID-19 cases rose to 360. Maharashtra has also reported its second death. Currently, there are 329 active cases in the country, according to the health ministry. (Click here for full report)
No passenger trains, metros, inter-state buses
All inter-state buses, passenger trains and metro services have been suspended across the country till March 31. However, goods trains will run during the said period. Indian Railways had trimmed down services on Friday by cancelling a majority of trains, but allowed all trains that had started the journey to continue. (Click here for full report)
Parliament session may be curtailed
Parliament’s budget session is likely to be concluded on Monday after passage of the Finance Bill in both Houses, sources said. It was earlier scheduled to conclude on April 3. The session is likely to be concluded almost 12 days before its scheduled winding up due to the looming threat of COVID-19.
No movement of paramilitary troops
The paramilitary forces comprising about 10 lakh personnel ordered immediate suspension of movement of troops for any kind of travel, including leaves or routine work, and directed them to “be where they are” till April 5. Officials said the direction was issued by the headquarters of the CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB and NSG.
Automakers suspend production
India’s leading automakers, including Maruti Suzuki India, Mahindra & Mahindra and Honda Cars, announced suspension of manufacturing activities at their plants. Fiat has also put brakes on production in the country till the end of this month. In the two-wheeler segment, Hero MotoCorp and Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India said they were suspending production.
Global toll past 13,000
From Italy to the US, governments rolled out tougher measures to halt the rapid spread of the coronavirus pandemic as global cases surged past 300,000 on Sunday and Asia braced for a possible second wave of infections. Over 13,000 people have already died from the virus worldwide.
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