23:52 March 25
Kukatpally MLA Madhavaram Krishna Rao on Wednesday came out on the road and stood with local police while they were managing a crowd that gathered outside his office, requesting him to issue passes so that they could get back to their hometowns.
23:30 March 25
No new COVID-19 patient emerged on Wednesday in Gautam Buddh Nagar, which has so far recorded the maximum cases in Uttar Pradesh, even as police took action against 1,324 people for defying restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus outbreak, officials said.
23:30 March 25
Delivery services of e-commerce players Amazon, FlipKart, and Big Basket will be allowed during the coronavirus lockdown period in Telangana to avoid inconvenience to the public, the state government said on Wednesday.
23:30 March 25
The Delhi Police has launched a 24-hour helpline number for city residents to address their queries on the lockdown, officials said on Wednesday.
22:11 March 25
The Delhi police is planning to put about a quarter of its personnel in isolation on rotation basis for 10 days to reduce the coronavirus threat, officials said on Wednesday.
22:11 March 25
The Mumbai police on Wednesday used drones for making a public announcement about the measures to tackle the coronavirus epidemic and the ongoing lockdown.
22:09 March 25
Andhra Pradesh govt has shifted Rytu Bazaars (govt run vegetable markets where farmers directly sell vegetables) in Vijayawada, to nearest open grounds to ensure social distancing among people. Demarcations have been made to keep distance b/w the people,while they stand in queues.
22:06 March 25
CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy held review meeting today with officials of state govt on implementation of lockdown & availability of essential items. He had instructed officials to stagger 'Rythu Bazar' to avoid rush & permit shops to operate from 6 am to 1 pm.
"Precautions for maintaining social distancing to be taken at every decentralised outlet & officials to make sure at all outlets. Public is requested to follow lockdown & remain indoors. Only 1 person from family to come out for essential items,not over 3 km radius," the CM said.
22:05 March 25
Total 4300 LPG cylinders have been delivered by Gas Agencies from 23rd midnight till today, wherein 2600 were supplied by Indian Oil Corporation,1200 by Hindustan Petroleum & 500 by Bharat Petroleum. Starting tomorrow this capacity will be doubled: Chandigarh Administration
It is clarified that no individual is allowed to visit any Gas Agency for buying/refilling LPG Cylinder. The residents can only place order telephonically for delivery of LPG Cylinder at their doorstep: Department of Public Relations, Chandigarh Administration.
22:01 March 25
Former Madhya Pradesh health minister Tulsiram Silawat on Wednesday urged Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to provide food essentials to the poor, who are affected by the COVID-19 lockdown.
22:00 March 25
More than 500 vehicles were seized across Bihar on the first day of nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday, when nine people also ended up being arrested for defying the restrictions, a top police official said here.
21:59 March 25
The Assam government said on Wednesday that there are enough food items in the stock to sustain the state for the 21-day lockdown imposed in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
21:58 March 25
Delhi Police have registered 183 FIRs against violaters, while they have held 5103 in custody since the Prime Minister's declaration of total lockdown in the country.
The police have also seized 956 vehicles from violaters in the state.
They have so far issued at least 6,141 movement passes in view of access to essential services.
These passes will allow free movement of vehicles within and across states.
21:28 March 25
Much of Arunachal Pradesh remained indoors on Wednesday as streets were deserted and business establishments shut on the first day of the nationwide lockdown announced by the Centre to combat the growing stranglehold of COVID-19.
21:28 March 25
The BJP on Wednesday said its one crore workers will provide for meals of five poor persons each during the 21-day lockdown to combat coronavirus.
A meeting of its national office bearers chaired by party president J P Nadda took the decision, and a mechanism will be be put in place at the earliest in this regard, its national media head Anil Baluni said.
In the meeting, Nadda called upon the party leaders and workers to ensure that one crore of them feed five poor persons each.
21:28 March 25
Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu on Wednesday appealed to the people of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to observe the 21-day lockdown to break the transmission chain of the coronavirus.
21:27 March 25
Facing threat to their livelihood because of the complete lockdown in the wake of coronavirus outbreak, several unions of auto, taxi and other last-mile connectivity vehicles in the city have appealed the government to provide them financial assistance.
21:27 March 25
The Punjab Police on Wednesday distributed food to the poor in many parts of the state and also ensured home delivery of essentials to daily wagers and slum dwellers amid a country-wide lockdown to check the spread of coronavirus, officials said.
21:26 March 25
As many as 871 people have been arrested in the city in a span of 24 hours since Tuesday 5 pm for defying the lockdown order imposed by the government in its attempt to contain the spread of Covid-19, a senior police officer said.
21:26 March 25
COVID-19: Election Commission allows use of indelible ink by health authorities to stamp individuals for home quarantine
21:26 March 25
Till now 147 FIRs has been registered for quarantine break: Jayanti Ravi, Principal Secretary - Health, Gujarat Government
21:25 March 25
Delhi Jal Board vice-chairman Raghav Chadha on Wednesday issued directions to ensure uninterrupted water and sewerage services across the national capital amid the 21-day lockdown imposed to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.
20:09 March 25
The Delhi High Court along with all the district courts in the state on Wednesday suspended their functioning till April 15 following nationwide lockdown in view of coronavirus pandemic.
20:09 March 25
TV journalist beaten up by cops during reporting on lockdown
A senior journalist with a national English news channel on Wednesday alleged he was beaten up by policemen while reporting on lockdown in adjoining Thane district.
20:09 March 25
Owners of Fair Price Shops will face action if they were found to be indulging in black marketing amid the coronavirus outbreak, the rationing authority warned on Wednesday.
18:58 March 25
The Bengaluru Police on Wednesday decided to put in place a pass system to regulate the movement of people in the city during the three-week lockdown to check the spread of coronavirus.
18:57 March 25
A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide lockdown for 21 days to fight COVID-19, the US Embassy in India stated on Wednesday that it is working with the US State Department and with airlines to arrange flights to take Americans back home.
18:57 March 25
The Centre on Wednesday decided to allow its employees who were due to vacate their official flats to stay May 31, officials said.
18:56 March 25
The Southern Railway on Wednesday announced extension of the cancellation of passenger train services and closure of ticket counters in the wake of a three-week lockdown announced by the Centre to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
18:56 March 25
Union Minister for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale on Wednesday appealed to people to remain indoors, as the Centre is taking appropriate measures to contain the spread of coronavirus.
18:56 March 25
Efforts are underway to arrange a system to deliver essential items at doorsteps during the COVID-19 nationwide lockdown, Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said on Wednesday.
18:54 March 25
Over 350 people were detained for violating the COVID-19 lockdown in the last 24 hours in Gujarat, a senior official said on Wednesday.
18:53 March 25
Police have registered 1,788 FIRs and booked 5,592 people in Uttar Pradesh for violating the lockdown imposed in view of coronavirus threat, officials said on Wednesday.
18:53 March 25
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has started distributing food kits to daily wage workers in the city to help them during the 21-day lockdown period imposed in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
18:52 March 25
The nine-day Navratri festival and the Hindu New Year on Wednesday began amidst a 21-day coronavirus lockdown in the country with many people preferring to perform the rituals from their homes by sending names and other details to the priest to do the puja on their behalf.
18:52 March 25
Action shall be taken under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (disobeying public servant's lawful order) if mandatory quarantine is violated, a directive issued by the Maharashtra government said on Wednesday.
18:51 March 25
Long queues outside grocery stores, inflated prices, difficulty in getting important items - these were some of the problems encountered by people in NCR on Wednesday after a 21-day lockdown was announced in the country in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.
17:24 March 25
People in Vizianagaram district observe social distancing while making purchases at the vegetables market in Bobbili town of the district.
17:23 March 25
People in Mumbai practice social distancing outside a grocery shop at Andheri East. PM Narendra Modi in his address to the nation yesterday had appealed to people to maintain social distancing to combat COVID-19.
17:22 March 25
Long queues outside grocery stores, inflated prices, difficulty in getting important items - these were some of the problems encountered by people in NCR on Wednesday after a 21-day lockdown was announced in the country in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.
16:59 March 25
A group of young men and women have set up a web-based radio station in Kolkata broadcasting home-made entertainment programmes and information on the novel coronavirus outbreak for people locked down in their homes.
16:59 March 25
Palghar:A police officer patrolling the streets to ensure lockdown for containing coronavirus suffered head injuries when a motorbike-rider knocked him down in
Maharashtra's Palghar district on Wednesday, officials said.
A police team spotted a 20-year-old man, identified.
16:58 March 25
Union minister Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday said there was no need for people to panic as shops selling essentials and medicines will remain open throughout the 21-day lockdown imposed to combat the coronavirus outbreak.
16:28 March 25
All companies from the digital industry have decided upon temporarily defaulting HD & ultra-HD streaming to SD content or offering only SD content, at bitrates no higher than 480p on cellular networks until April 14: Prasar Bharati
16:26 March 25
Congress demands implementation of Nyay Yojna to help poor families in India
Congress demands implementation of party-proposed Nyay Yojna (minimum income guarantee scheme) to help poor families in the country to cope with the situation arising out of the nationwide lockdown.
16:25 March 25
Mumbai Police says people won't have to step out of their homes to lodge complaints or grievances, as police teams will arrive at their doorsteps during the coronavirus lockdown.
15:42 March 25
In wake of lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak, the state government has decided to give Rs 1000 each to every family that holds a ration card: Bihar Chief Minister's Office
14:56 March 25
Govt asks people to stay home during lockdown, suggests ways on social media to utilise time
The government is motivating people through social media to stay at home and suggesting ways to utilise their time by developing new habits and getting rid of bad ones in the wake of the 21-day lockdown enforced to check the spread of coronavirus in the country.
The Twitter handle of PIB India is suggesting ways to users to utilise their time while they are at home during this period.
14:35 March 25
Lucknow: People in the city practice social distancing at vegetable/fruit shops and pharmacies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the nation yesterday had appealed to people to maintain social distancing to combat COVID-19.
14:09 March 25
Women in Paharganj refused to maintain social distancing
Delhi:Women standing in a queue outside a bank in Paharganj refused to maintain social distancing and were dispersed by police personnel. They later reassembled keeping distance after Police assured them that banks and ATMs will remain open amid 21 day lockdown.
14:08 March 25
Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary (Planning), Jammu & Kashmir: All government offices except those providing essential services closed till April 14.
13:52 March 25
Roads empty but people resort to panic buying at Kolkata markets amid lockdown
Roads in large parts of West Bengal were deserted on Wednesday, the first day of the nationwide lockdown imposed to check the spread of coronavirus, but people resorted to panic buying at several markets of Kolkata in violation of the advice of social distancing.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Tuesday evening announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown to contain the coronavirus outbreak.
In the morning, private vehicles were off the roads while all business establishments, barring those dealing with essential commodities, were shut.
13:51 March 25
Enough stock of essential commodities in Maharashtra: CM
Amid the nationwide lockdown to check the spread of coronavirus, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday appealed to people not to
venture out of their homes and assured that the state has adequate stock of essential commodities.
Greeting people on the occasion of Gudi Padwa, Thackeray said the poor and daily wagers should understand that the government stands firmly behind them in this time of crisis.
13:31 March 25
Indian Army Sources: Army Headquarters are closed today in view of the lockdown announcement by the Government. From tomorrow onwards, only 5-10 percent of essential staff to work for meeting the operational requirements.
13:25 March 25
Jharkhand: Sri Maheshwari Sabha in Ranchi is providing free food to the needy amid lockdown, in wake of the Coronavirus outbreak.
13:18 March 25
Punjab:Police in Amritsar distributed food to the needy amid lockdown, in wake of Coronavirus outbreak.
13:09 March 25
Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray:We have sufficient stock of essential commodities like vegetables, rice & other items of daily use, so there is no need to worry. All shops selling essential goods are open too. We will celebrate Gudi Padwa once we tackle this crisis.
13:04 March 25
Jammu and Kashmir: Vaishno Devi Temple in Katra shut for devotees amid 21 days Lockdown, in wake of the Coronavirus outbreak.
13:04 March 25
Health officials, Police personnel, media persons, doctors& medical staff (of Govt hospitals) to be given insurance, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat announces in assembly.
13:04 March 25
Telangana: Movement of people except those rendering/availing essential services are not being allowed by Police amid 21days Lockdown in Hyderbad.
12:55 March 25
As Puducherry is under lockdown and it is not feasible to conduct Annual Examination for the students of Class I to IX. Therefore, it is decided to cancel the examinations for the Class I to IX & declare the students as "All Pass": Directorate of School Education, Puducherry
12:46 March 25
Odisha CM asks people to support PM Modi's appeal
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has called upon people to support the 21-day nationwide lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stop the coronavirus spread.
As the pandemic is spreading across the world, it is time to be together as a nation at this hour of crisis and support the appeal of the prime minister, Patnaik said in a twitter post.
It is an extremely challenging race against time tostop COVID-19, said the chief minister who also tagged a video of the prime ministers address to the nation on Tuesday on the coronavirus pandemic.
12:24 March 25
Mayawati says poor should get essential commodities for free
In the wake of the 21-day nationwide lockdown, BSP president Mayawati on Wednesday appealed to the centre and all state governments to provide essential commodities to the poor for free.
In a tweet in Hindi, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said: "In view of the directions issued by the prime minister yesterday to combat coronavirus, it is my appeal to all the governments to provide essential commodities to the poor and labourers either free of cost or at low prices."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Tuesday announced a complete lockdown across the country for 21 days, asserting that social distancing is the only way out for the country in its decisive battle against the coronavirus.
The Centre has asked the state governments to ensure unhindered operation of essential services and their seamless availability for the general public during the lockdown period.
Union Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan has said that the government is monitoring the availability of essential commodities in the market.
Paswan warned manufacturers and traders against profiteering during this period.
11:40 March 25
Curfew relaxed in Punjab
The curfew clamped in Punjab to check the spread of coronavirus was relaxed on Wednesday to let people buy essential commodities, officials said.
In many parts of the state, the curfew was relaxed from 6 am to 9 am for buying milk, vegetables and fruits and then from 8 am to 11 am for purchasing groceries and medicines, they said.
Though milk was delivered at people's doorstep in most parts of the state, they were allowed to visit neighbourhood shops for buying vegetables and other items of daily needs, as per initial reports.
11:38 March 25
Blood banks in Bengal run dry due to lockdown
With various political parties, community clubs and NGOs having to stop organising blood donation camps due to the lockdown imposed in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, blood banks in West Bengal are facing an acute shortage of supply, officials said on Wednesday.
More than 80 per cent of blood supply to 108 blood banks in the state, including 74 state run-facilities, are sourced from such camps, an official of Central Blood Bank said.
"The blood banks are facing a severe shortage of supply. Just imagine the condition of thalassemia patients and others who need a regular transfusion of blood. It is a very difficult situation," Bratish Niyogi, managing director of People's Blood Bank said.
11:16 March 25
Ayodhya: Uttar Pradesh Government officials flag off vehicles carrying essential supplies which will be delivered to households. COVID-19 21 day lockdown.
10:33 March 25
Robert Vadra urges people to stay at home
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the longest ever stay at home order to curb the spread of COVID-19 and asked the citizens to adhere to the lockdown, Robert Vadra, husband of Priyanka Gandhi who is active on the social media, urged the citizens to stay at home for their own safety.
"We should unite to defeat the coronavirus. Stay at home for 21 days, this is for our safety," wrote Vadra on Facebook.
Vadra on Monday had posted his exercise video on the social media and said: "As we are all self isolated, we must channelise our energy to the best method."
A known fitness freak, Vadra said, "Keep working out... The correct action to take in the prevailing circumstances... Keep working and make the efforts for workouts at home, its imperative."
He gave tips on how to exercise while at home, "All these exercises look difficult, but put your mind to it and you will be surprised of your achievements.
"You do not need weights. Your own body weight and a determined mind. Four sets of 25 reps each. Alternate with Jump jacks. Get the adrenalin flowing and have a stimulating day," said Vadra.
At the same time, he also cautioned everybody: "Sanitise before and after, and stay healthier.
10:32 March 25
Flipkart ceases operations across supply chain amid lockdown
Etailer Flipkart on Wednesday said it has temporarily suspended its operations and services - including grocery items -- as India enters a 21-day lockdown.
Although ecommerce platforms were allowed to provide essential goods and services in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation, Flipkart decided to halt all orders from March 25 for its three supply chains -- grocery, non-large goods and large items.
"These are difficult times, times like no other. Never before, have communities stayed apart to stay safe! Never before, has been at home meant helping the nations!" the company posted on its website.
In an internal email sent to employees, Adarsh Menon who is senior vice president at Flipkart wrote that senior executives will "evaluate how to get supply chains back in consultation with government and stakeholders but as of now the platform will not accept any orders".
Ecommerce giant Amazon, in a blog post on Tuesday, said that it has prioritized available fulfilment and logistics capacity to serve products that are currently critical for customers such as household staples, packaged food, health care, hygiene, personal safety and other high priority products.
"This also means that we have to temporarily stop taking orders and disable shipments for lower-priority products. For all pending customer orders on lower-priority products, we are reaching out to customers and giving them a choice to cancel their orders, and receive a refund for prepaid items," said Amazon.
The company said it will continue to work with concerned government authorities to ensure on-ground support that will enable it to offer a more expanded selection to fulfil customer needs.
10:07 March 25
MHA asks states to check rumours about shortage of food, essential commodities
In the wake of the 21-day lockdown period, the Union Home Ministry has asked state governments to check the spread of rumours about shortage of food and other essential commodities.
In a communication to chief secretaries and DGPs of all states, the ministry asked them to take action to allay apprehensions and maintain peace and tranquillity, and inform people about the availability of food, medicine and other essential commodities.
The ministry said that in the wake of the orders issued under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (for lockdown), there were possibilities of rumour-mongering, including those about shortage of food and other essential services and commodities.
"In this context, it is imperative that all state governments and Union Territory administrations take necessary steps to suitably publicise through all available means that food, medical and civil supplies, and other essential services will be maintained and there are adequate supplies available in the country," the communication said.
09:20 March 25
People in Noida practice social distancing.
Visuals from outside a grocery store in Sector-19.
08:31 March 25
Police barricading continues at Uttar Pradesh-Delhi border
Police barricading continues at Uttar Pradesh-Delhi border to stop movement of vehicles except those rendering/availing essential services amid lockdown; visuals from Delhi Noida Direct Flyway.
07:59 March 25
Ram Lalla idol shifted to temporary structure
Ayodhya: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath shifted 'Ram Lalla' idol to a temporary structure near Manas Bhawan in Ram Janmabhoomi premises, till completion of the construction of Ram Temple. CM also presented a cheque of Rs 11 lakhs for the construction of the temple.
07:51 March 25
Ministry of Home Affairshas directed all states and Union Territories to set up a 24*7 control rooms/offices with helplines at state/district level to address any grievances or undue problems faced by providers of goods/services amid 21 days Lockdown.
07:49 March 25
Delhi: Jhandewalan Mandir remains closed for devotees amid Coronavirus Lockdown, on the 1st day of 'Chaitra Navratri',today. The temple authorities have put a notice board saying 'the temple will remain closed from 21st March till further notice as per the guidelines of the govt'
07:22 March 25
Uttarakhand Chief Secretary has directed all District Magistrates, Senior Superintendent of Police and Superintendent of Police in the state to ensure the enforcement of 21 days Lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the wake of COVID-19.
All shops of essential items in Uttarakhand will be open from 7 AM to 10 AM today, movement of people on roads will be restricted after 10 AM amid Coronavirus Lockdown.
07:10 March 25
India enters shutdown for 3 weeks
Maintain social distancing, next 3 weeks crucial for India to break chain of COVID-19: ICMR
New Delhi:While Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for complete lockdown for 21 days amid the novel coronavirus outbreak, scientists at Indian Council Medical Research (ICMR) said that the next three weeks are crucial for India to combat the spread of the virus.
ICMR said that social distancing is very important to fight against coronavirus.
The Prime Minister said that social distancing is the only safe option to curb coronavirus disease and hence it is important to stay inside your houses and stay at a distance from each other.
According to ICMR, India has reported about 536 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 and 10 deaths till date. The experts at the apex medical research body said that it is very important to break the chain of the virus to contain the spread of infection.
It is important to note that a study done by ICMR using a simple mathematical model of infectious disease transmission has revealed that that home quarantine of symptomatic can reduce the overall expected number of cases by 62 per cent and the peak number of cases by 89 per cent.
