Police have registered a case against a TV channel reality show celebrity, and 78 others for violating the Covid-19 advisory. Hundreds of fans including women and children had come to Cochin international airport to receive Rajith Kumar who returned from the channel show.
COVID-19: Case against 79 people for gathering at Cochin airport
Covid-19 Live: Forest Research Institute of Dehradun shut till March 31
13:15 March 16
13:05 March 16
Amid the rising number of coronavirus cases in the country, the order of closure of malls and multiplexes across many top cities by the respective
state governments to prevent people congregating for any reason, has caused the organised retail scene there to come to a grinding halt, according to Anarock Retail.
Ahmedabad, Bangaluru, Chennai, Delhi/NCR, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune have 126 malls sprawling over more than 61 million sq. ft. area, and more than 100 malls have multiplexes attached, the property consultant said.
12:51 March 16
The Delhi High Court on Monday said it will issue more directions about precautions to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The court observed this when an advocate mentioned before a bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar that the photocopy shops and cash counters in the complex should accept also digital payments.
Advocate and BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay said the photocopy shops and the cash counters in the high court premises accept only cash payments and they should also accept digital payments as a precaution to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
12:14 March 16
Priest put face mask on Ganesh idol at famous Siddivinayak temple today, to spread awareness on coronavirus.
Temple authority also appealed to devotees not to panic.
12:13 March 16
11:56 March 16
Amusement park operator Wonderla Holidays on Monday said it has decided to temporarily close its Hyderabad park from 15-21 March due to the rising coronavirus scare in Telangana.
"In view of the emerging situation in the state of Telangana, consequent to the reported coronavirus cases, the company has decided to temporarily close the Hyderabad park from 15-21 March 2020," it said in a filing to BSE.
The decision, it said, has been taken in accordance with the safety and pre-cautionary guidelines outlined by the state government to prevent and contain the spread of new coronavirus (Covid-19).
A 46-year-old person from Telangana tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday, taking the total number of cases to three in the state, health department officials said.
11:19 March 16
Thermal screening of lawyers, litigants, scribes at SC
Lawyers, litigants and media personnels were thermal-screened in the Supreme Court on Monday amid coronavirus scare.
The top court, which has taken several precautionary measures in wake of the pandemic has allowed only restricted entry of lawyers, litigants and journalists in the courtroom.
Long queues were seen at the entry gate with health officials thermal screening the lawyers, litigants and journalists.
There was also confusion among the officials as to who should be allowed inside the premises and the courtroom due to restricted entry. Only lawyers and litigants whose matters were listed for the day were allowed to enter the courtrooms.
Only six of the total 15 benches of the apex court will be sitting and only 12 matters each will be taken up today.
To avoid overcrowding in courtrooms, judges will first take up six matters and then take a half an hour break and then take next six items listed for the day.
The top court had earlier notified that only urgent matters will be taken up to avoid overcrowding.
Usually 15 benches of the Supreme Court sit on Monday and Friday and miscellaneous matters are taken up on these days.
11:11 March 16
Coronavirus cases reaches to 33 in Maharashtra
One more person has been tested positive for Coronavirus in Pimpri-Chinchwad, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 33 in the state - Maharashtra Health Department.
10:35 March 16
One foreign, 8 Indian students kept under 14-day isolation at IIT Roorkee
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has kept under 14-day isolation one foreign and eight Indian students on suspicion of coronavirus.
Meanwhile, at least 70 foreign nationals have been kept under observation by the health department in Uttarakhand's Nainital district.
Uttarakhand government has banned mass gatherings, including seminars and protests, in the state amid coronavirus outbreak, informed state minister Madan Kaushik on Sunday.
A total of 110 cases of coronavirus, including 17 foreign nationals, have been confirmed across India, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Sunday.
The maximum positive cases have been reported from Maharashtra (32), followed by Kerala (22).
10:32 March 16
Patna HC to hear only urgent, regular bail matters till March 31
In the backdrop of coronavirus pandemic, the Patna High Court has decided to hear only the urgent and regular bail matters till March 31. Further, all matters to be listed in between March 17 to March 31, shall now be listed on April 4.
"In the temporary supersession of all the previous notices regarding mentioning of urgent matters, the competent authority has been pleased to direct that till March 31, all urgent matters shall be orally mentioned before the Bench," read the notice.
10:10 March 16
Pune admin develops website to monitor self-quarantine patients
In the backdrop of coronavirus pandemic, the district administration has developed a website to keep track of those who have been put on self-quarantine. It also provides a platform to report about the potential patients.
Any citizen or doctor can register themselves and can access the website by providing a mobile number which will be verified through an OTP.
The team which was developed the website was led by Ayush Prasad, Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pune.
09:58 March 16
Odisha registers first Coronavirus case
One positive case of #Coronavirus detected in Odisha. He has travel history to Italy. He later took a train from Delhi to Bhubaneswar. The patient is admitted at a Bhubaneswar hospital. - Dr. CBK Mohanty, Director, Health & Education Training, Odisha
09:32 March 16
Forest Research Institute of Dehradun shut till March 31
The Forest Research Institute of Dehradun has been closed for "all kinds of visits" till March 31 in view of coronavirus.
This comes in the wake of a trainee forest service officer of the Indian Forest Service (IFS) who returned from an international study tour to Spain recently tested positive for COVID-19.
The officer had returned from an international study tour to Spain, Finland and Russia along with other probationers on March 11.
The Uttarakhand government has declared novel coronavirus an epidemic and shut all multiplexes, cinema halls, degree colleges and technical institutes across the state till March 31.
05:15 March 16
Maharashtra records 32 positive cases, highest in the country
According to Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Maharashtra has 32 confirmed cases of coronavirus after Kerala, the highest in the country.
With the increase in Covid-29 cases, public places across the state wore a deserted look.
Footfall decreased in amusement parks and gardens in Ramdaspeth area of Nagpur over coronavirus concerns.
05:10 March 16
Suspected coronavirus patient escapes from Darbhanga Medical College in Bihar
A suspected coronavirus patient escaped from Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital in Bihar on Sunday.
"The patient escaped while he was being taken to the isolation ward. We have informed police and district administration," said Rajeev Ranjan, Medical Superintendent.
More details are awaited.
05:09 March 16
Departments ensure public gathering places remain closed in Telangana
As a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus, various departments in Telangana are ensuring that all the public gathering places are closed, according to state government officials.
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao had earlier said that all educational institutions in the state will remain closed till March 31. "As part of preventive measures, people should not go to public places to prevent themselves from COVID-19... If anyone keeps open then severe action will be initiated against them," the Chief Minister had said.
Famous places having high footfall like Lumbini Park, NTR Park, Nehru Zoological Park, Salarjung Museum and sports stadiums remained closed on Sunday. All the educational institutions in the state also closed their campuses immediately after receiving orders from the state government.
The Chief Minister had also said, "Public meetings, seminars, workshops, rallies, exhibitions, cultural events and other public gathering events will not be allowed... Indoor and outdoor sports stadiums, swimming pools, zoos, gyms, amusement parks will also remain closed."
Rao has clearly said that severe action will be initiated against those who violate government orders.
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has also ensured that all public gathering places are closed in Hyderabad including pubs, bars and gyms.
05:05 March 16
Fourth batch of Indian citizens returns to India from Iran
External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar has informed thet the fourth batch of 53 Indians - 52 students & a teacher - has arrived from Tehran & Shiraz, in Iran.
With this, a total of 389 Indians have returned to India from Iran.
22:58 March 15
Belur Math to remain closed till further notice in view of COVID-19 spread
The headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission at Belur Math to remain closed amid coronavirus spread till further notice. Recently, a notice was issued by the headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission saying the offering pranam to president Maharaj will remain suspended.
"Offering pranam to revered president Maharaj will remain suspended until further notice," it read. "Regarding Mantra-Diksha the devotees are requested to contact in person or over the Phone 033-26545700 between 10.30 am to 11.30 am or 4.30 pm to 5.30 pm," it further added.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared coronavirus a pandemic.
22:49 March 15
Sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik raised awareness about Coronavirus
The world is now in a state of panic over the coronavirus. They are being warned not to shake hands with each other. International sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik has also raised awareness on the issue of sand art on the beach.
Sudarshan sends a message in his sand art to greet each other without shaking hands. Taking a salute to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he has given his place in the sand art.
In the last few days, the President of the United States has called on the people of the world to follow the practice of greeting in Indian culture. Which, of course, made the video an overnight sensation.
22:46 March 15
Cases filed in Satara, Shirdi for flouting mass
Five people were booked in Satara in Maharashtra for violating social distancing rules in place to tackle the coronavirus outbreak by organising a religious event on March 13 in which over 5,000 people participated, police said on Sunday.
These five are members of the 'Bavdhan Yatra Sanyojan Samiti' that organises the 'Bavdhan Yatra' in Wai in Satara, some 230 kilometers from the metropolis.
"Despite an order by the collector banning such gatherings in view of the novel coronavirus outbreak, they went ahead and organised the yatra in which over 5,000 people from different parts of the state took part," Satara Superintendent of Police Tejaswini Satpute told.
22:33 March 15
Fewer tourists seen at Kerala's famous Kovalam beach
The COVID-19 pandemic is massively affecting the tourism industry of Kerala. Even the famous tourist spot of Kovalam beach, which is usually swarmed with tourists, was seen deserted on Sunday.
"After the coronavirus outbreak, the situation has been very bad. Day by day, a less number of people are coming to the beach," one of the vendors at the beach told. "The business is zero," he added.
22:16 March 15
Gathering at marriage functions shouldn't exceed 100 people: B'luru civic body
The civic body in Bengaluru has said that gathering at marriage functions should not exceed 100 people in order to curb the spread of coronavirus. A circular issued by Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) dated March 15 said, "All marriage functions pre booked in marriage halls, hotels, Party places, etc. prior to the issue of circular dated March 13, shall be allowed to be conducted subject to the condition that the gathering in the function not exceeding 100 persons."
22:15 March 15
18 co-passengers of COVID-19 positive UK citizen sent to isolation ward in Ernakulam
Nineteen persons of Dubai-bound Emirates flight including the UK citizen who tested positive for coronavirus, have been kept in the isolation ward at Ernakulam Medical College, said Dr MK Kuttappan, District Medical Officer on Sunday.
"The 19 persons have been kept in the isolation ward at Ernakulam medical college," said Dr Kuttappan.
21:10 March 15
Lucknow admn orders closure of coaching institutes till Mar 22
The Lucknow district administration on Sunday ordered closure of all coaching institutes in the state capital till March 22 in view of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
District Magistrate Abhishek Prakash warned of action against institutes for non-compliance of the order.
"The owners, managers and coordinators of all the coaching institutes in the district have been directed to keep them closed till March 22. The closure will come into immediate effect," Prakash said in the official order.
Action will be initiated against those found flouting the order, he said.
The order comes a day after the Uttar Pradesh government closed all schools and colleges in the state where exams are not going on till March 22.
21:09 March 15
Report of Kerala woman quarantined in Goa awaited
The report of a 48-year-old woman from Kerala who has been quarantined for suspected exposure to novel coronavirus in Goa since Thursday is awaited, health officials said on Sunday.
She is currently in the isolation ward of Goa Medical College and Hospital and her sample has been sent to NIV in Pune, an official said.
Another 65 people are under home observation in the state, he added.
21:01 March 15
2 Nigerians in isolation ward of Assam hospital
Two Nigerians, who entered the country from Bangladesh, have been admitted to an isolation ward of a hospital here for coronavirus-related tests, police said on Sunday.
During a routine check, the two Guwahati-bound foreigners were taken into custody by police personnel of the Churaibari outpost near Assam-Tripura border and sent to Karimganj Civil Hospital for necessary tests, a senior officer said.
"They had entered India from the neighbouring country on Saturday," Churaibari outpost in-charge Mintu Seal said.
"The Nigerians have been admitted in the isolation ward and will remain there till the doctors give a clearance," the police officer said.
20:51 March 15
Nashik schools, malls to remain shut till Mar 31
A total of 218 Indians, mostly students, were brought here from coronavirus-hit Italy on Sunday and taken to an ITBP quarantine facility in southwest Delhi's Chhawla area, officials said.
An Air India flight carrying them from Milan landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) around 9.45 am.
Out of the total Indian nationals in this group, 211 are students.
After preliminary body temperature scanning at the tarmac, the evacuees were taken in ITBP buses to its Chhawla quarantine centre.
"All the 218 evacuees from Milan are being taken to our quarantine facility in southwest Delhi's Chhawla area. They will be there for over a fortnight as per quarantine procedures," an Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) force spokesperson said.
There are 154 males and 64 females in this group and the exercise to obtain their first samples for coronavirus testing has begun, he said.
Their reports are expected by late Monday evening, the spokesperson added.
20:48 March 15
218 evacuated from Italy sent to ITBP quarantine facility
A total of 218 Indians, mostly students, were brought here from coronavirus-hit Italy on Sunday and taken to an ITBP quarantine facility in southwest Delhi's Chhawla area, officials said.
An Air India flight carrying them from Milan landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) around 9.45 am.
Out of the total Indian nationals in this group, 211 are students.
After preliminary body temperature scanning at the tarmac, the evacuees were taken in ITBP buses to its Chhawla quarantine centre.
"All the 218 evacuees from Milan are being taken to our quarantine facility in southwest Delhi's Chhawla area. They will be there for over a fortnight as per quarantine procedures," an Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) force spokesperson said.
There are 154 males and 64 females in this group and the exercise to obtain their first samples for coronavirus testing has begun, he said.
Their reports are expected by late Monday evening, the spokesperson added.
20:45 March 15
Coronavirus: Section 144 of crpc to be imposed in Pune?
The district administration is mulling imposition of the section 144 of CrPC in Pune to check the spread of novel coronavirus, a senior official said here on Sunday.
Addressing reporters, Pune Divisional Commissioner Deepak Mhaisekar said the administration has decided to change the strategy to control the spread of the coronavirus in view of rising cases.
20:31 March 15
Corona outbreak: Raj HC asks subordinate courts to avoid crowding of court premises
The Rajasthan High Court on Sunday asked all lower courts in the state to take all possible precautions against the spread of deadly coronavirus, including the legal and technological steps to avoid overcrowding in court premises.
The principal bench of the high court at Jodhpur here issued a detailed advisory to all subordinate courts in the state to curb crowding within the court premises.
Among the legal measures to avoid overcrowding, the high court also asked the lower courts' judges to favourably consider the plea for exemption from personal appearance by accused, complainant and witnesses.
It also asked them not to insist upon any unnecessary presence of any party and not to pass an adverse legal order in absence of a party.
20:26 March 15
Third case of COVID-19 reported in Telangana
A 46-year-old person from Telangana tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday,taking the total number of cases to three in the state, health department officials said.
On Saturday, the state reported the second COVID-19 positive case, with the samples of a person who travelled to Italy testing positive.
The first positive case of a 24-year-old techie, who was thefirst confirmed case in Telangana, was discharged from the state-run Gandhi hospital here on Friday night following his recovery.
Health officials on Sunday said one of the two samples sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) at Pune tested positive.
"We had sent two samples to Pune for confirmation, out of which one was positive and the other negative. The patient returned from the Netherlands on March 9. He is in an isolation ward and undergoing treatment at Gandhi hospital. He himself reported to the hospital on March 13," the official said.
20:24 March 15
Coronavirus: 2,157 persons put under surveillance in J-K
The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday said 2,157 people -- travellers and persons in contact with suspected coronavirus cases -- have been put under surveillance in the union territory.
According to the daily media bulletin on novel coronavirus (COVID-19), 1829 persons are under home quarantine and 29 persons are in hospital quarantine while 131 persons are under home surveillance.
20:12 March 15
West Bengal seals all but one entry point with Bangladesh
The West Bengal government has sealed all but one of the state's entry points with neighbouring Bangladesh in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, a senior official said on Sunday.
All entry points to West Bengal from Bangladesh have been sealed expect the one at Gede in Nadia district, he said.
"No Bangladesh national with travel visa will be allowed to enter the state in view of the current coronavirus situation," the official said.
He said only diplomats or officials associated with the United Nations and the World Health Organisation will be allowed to enter through the Indo-Bangla entry points.
20:06 March 15
Coronavirus: Guj schools, theatres to be shut for 2 weeks
The Gujarat government on Sunday ordered the closure of educational institutions, cinema
halls and swimming pools for two weeks starting Monday as part of preventivemeasures against the novel coronavirus threat, a top official said.
The state has not reported a single positive case of coronavirus as yet.
An official said action would be taken against those spitting in public as part of the measures to curb the spread of the virus.
"For two weeks starting from Monday, all educational institutions, including schools, colleges, tuition classes, Anganwadis etc will remain closed. Teachers and office staff will attend the institutions but classes will remain suspended for a period of two weeks," Chief Secretary Anil Mukim said.
19:37 March 15
One more people tested positive in Pune
One more person tested positive for COVID-19 in Pune's Pimpri Chinchwad. The total number of cases rises in the state to 33.
19:17 March 15
Two more people tested positive in Kerala
Two more people, one doctor who returned from abroad after completing his studies and one British citizen tested positive for COVID-19. The total number of cases rises in the state to 24.
19:08 March 15
Coronavirus: AYUSH medicines are promotive ones, says Naik
Union AYUSH minister Shripad Naik on Sunday said his ministry has not claimed that Ayurveda, Unani and Homeopathy have cures for novel coronavirus as these lines of treatment are yet to be scientifically validated.
The minister said treatments prescribed in the three systems of alternative medicine are meant for the respiratory system and help boost immunity.
He, however, added that some of these medicines can be used to "lessen the impact of the coronavirus".
"We have firmly said that though our medicine is not validated scientifically, it has been proved that Ayurveda, Homeopathy and Unani can be used as promotive medicines," he told on Sunday.
Promotive medicines look at boosting health and immunity as a bulwark against diseases rather than a direct cure from the pathogen.
"It can be used by those who are already infected so that they can get relief," he said.
Naik said some medicines prescribed in Ayurveda, Homeopathy and Unani have been validated by his ministry at "our level" but overall validation is a "lengthy process".
18:22 March 15
The first case of coronavirus has been reported in Uttarakhand
Indira Gandhi National Forest Research trainee who returned back from Finland was tested positive in Dehradun after he along with his teammates where tested for the disease.
17:53 March 15
5 booked for organising yatra in Satara
Five people were booked in Satara in Maharashtra for violating social distancing rules in place to tackle the coronavirus outbreak by organising a religious event on March 13 in which over 5,000 people participated, police said on Sunday.
These five are members of the 'Bavdhan Yatra Sanyojan Samiti' that organises the 'Bavdhan Yatra' in Wai in Satara, some 230 kilometers from the metropolis.
"Despite an order by the collector banning such gatherings in view of the novel coronavirus outbreak, they went ahead and organised the yatra in which over 5,000 people from different parts of the state took part," Satara Superintendent of Police Tejaswini Satpute told.
Police identified them as Rajendra Abaji Bhosle (president), Deepak Dilip Nanaware (vice president), Ankush Jagannath Kumbhar (secretary), Sachin Appaso Bhosle (treasurer) and Sambhaji Shivaji Dabhade (member).
17:51 March 15
16 people home quarntined in Kalaburagi district
Sixteen people with a travel history abroad have been home quarantined in Kalaburagi district, Karnataka health minister B Sriramulu said here on
Sunday.
The Minister said he was visiting hospitals on the directions of Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa after India's first COVID-19 death was reported from the district.
"I am visiting hospitals and seeing how the isolation wards are maintained. There are 16 people in Kalaburagi who had returned from abroad. They have been home quarantined for 14 days. We are closely monitoring them," he told reporters in Kalaburagi.
He said the Chief Minister had directed him to visit the district, inspect hospitals and isolation wards and submit a report.
Sriramulu said a five kilometre buffer zone has been created around the area where the 72-year-old died on March 10.
17:29 March 15
-
With no vaccine or treatment being available for #COVID19, #SocialDistancing is the best way to prevent spread of the pandemic. Reduce social interactions like religious functions, marriage, etc. and call on Toll-Free No. 104 if you have recently travelled outside #Odisha. pic.twitter.com/nUh421sCxp
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) March 15, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
">With no vaccine or treatment being available for #COVID19, #SocialDistancing is the best way to prevent spread of the pandemic. Reduce social interactions like religious functions, marriage, etc. and call on Toll-Free No. 104 if you have recently travelled outside #Odisha. pic.twitter.com/nUh421sCxp
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) March 15, 2020With no vaccine or treatment being available for #COVID19, #SocialDistancing is the best way to prevent spread of the pandemic. Reduce social interactions like religious functions, marriage, etc. and call on Toll-Free No. 104 if you have recently travelled outside #Odisha. pic.twitter.com/nUh421sCxp
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) March 15, 2020
Practise social distancing to prevent COVID-19: Naveen Patnaik
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday asked people to practise social distancing and refrain from spreading misinformation about COVID-19, saying extraordinary circumstances call for an extraordinary response.
Two days after the BJD government in Odisha had declared the disease as a "state disaster" and allocated Rs 200 crore to combat it, the chief minister appealed to the citizens that each one has to be committed as an individual and each family has to act as a responsible unit to protect one other from this pandemic.
Patnaik said personal inconveniences will be faced and families may have to make sacrifices, but extraordinary circumstances call for an extraordinary response.
"Terming the #COVID19 outbreak a pandemic for human race, one without vaccine or treatment, CM @Naveen Odisha has appealed all the citizens to practice social distancing and refrain from spreading rumours and misinformation," the Chief Minister's Office said in a tweet.
Each one should avoid social gatherings and assemblies like religious functions, marriage receptions, the chief minister said.
"Being at home, reducing social interactions and avoiding gatherings will cut down vulnerability to a great extent," he said.
So far, no coronavirus case has been confirmed in the state.
17:27 March 15
All 3 old corona positive patients cured, one new virus-hit man undergoing treatment: Official
All three old cases of coronavirus-positive patients in the state have now been tested negative and cured, while a 24-year-old youth found having the affliction is undergoing treatment at SMS Hospital here, a senior official said on Sunday.
The three who have been declared corona-negative following repeat tests include an Italian couple and a Dubai-returned, 85-year-old Jaipur native.
Sixty-nine-year-old Italian man and an 85-year-old Jaipur native have been tested negative now twice. Both are now coronavirus-free, said Additional Chief Secretary (Medical & Health) Rohit Kumar Singh.
Italian's man wife was tested negative for coronavirus affliction earlier.
Singh said a total of three corona patients, including corona-positive, 70-year-old wife of the Italian man, have turned coronavirus-free after treatment at the state-run Sawai Man Singh Hospital, Jaipur.
The three, however, have not yet been discharged and continue to be admitted in hospitals, he said.
The Italian woman has been shifted to Rajasthan University of Medical Sciences (RUHS) Hospital from SMS hospital while the remaining two are in the SMS hospital.
A total of four persons have been tested positive for coronavirus here in the state so far and three of them have become free from the virus.
The fourth patient, a 24-year-old man, who was tested positive on Saturday, is also admitted at the SMS hospital.
17:00 March 15
Sample of Maha man who died in quarantine tests negative
The sample of a 71-year-old man who died on Saturday while under quarantine in Buldhana in
Maharashtra for suspected exposure to novel coronavirus has returned negative, a health official said on Sunday.
It was feared earlier that the septuagenarian became the first victim of Covid-19 in the state, which has reported 32 confirmed cases as on Sunday.
The man, with a history of diabetes and high blood pressure, had returned from the United Arab Emirates some days ago, an official said.
"He was admitted in Buldhana general hospital, where he died on Saturday. His sample, which was sent to Nagpur for testing, has returned negative," Civil Surgeon Premchand Pandit told.
There have been no deaths due to viral transmission in Maharashtra so far.
16:58 March 15
Restrictions Clamped For Tourists At Odisha's Puri
Puri (Odisha): In the wake of Coronavirus outbreak across the globe including India, the district administration in Odisha's Puri has announced the imposition of restrictions at the international tourist spot today.
According to sources, Puri district administration on Saturday imposed restriction on the movement of tourists. Tourists have been banned from travelling from Puri to nearby Satpada, Chandrabhaga, Chilika and Konark. Tour bus operations on these routes have been restricted.
Puri Collector Balwant Singh has asked people intending to visit Puri to drop their plans. He has also appealed the residents of Puri to not panic but take precautions, avoid social gatherings and if possible stay indoors, sources said.
"The ban has been imposed from Sunday 15th March to 31st March 2020. The decision was taken in an emergency meeting with travel agencies and tour operators at the district tourism office on Saturday evening. Any group of tourists will not be allowed to visit places of tourist attractions. The advisory has been issued especially for hotels, travel agencies and tour operators. Police and the tourism department have been instructed to immediately report if any suspicious case comes across," said Bijay Kumar Jena, Assistant Director, Puri Tourism.
Jena has also requested people from outside the district not visit Puri if necessary and if they are suffering from cold, cough or fever.
Meanwhile, all tourist buses in the district have been taken off-road. Jena urged all to cooperate and also asked Puri residents to inform the administration about any Coronavirus suspect who has visited the district recently, sources added.
16:56 March 15
Assam government has decided that all schools, colleges
In the wake of surging coronavirus cases in India, the Assam government has decided that all schools, colleges, universities, gyms, swimming pools, and cinema halls will remain closed in the state till March 29. Assam Chief Secretary Sanjay Krishna had made the announcement on Sunday.
Moreover, except state board and CBSE boards, all other examinations have been postponed in the view of COVID-19.
16:53 March 15
Covid 19: Strong inspection at checkposts begins
With increase in number of Coronavirus cases, the Kerala government on Sunday launched intensified medical check up at border areas for people entering the state by rail and road.
Inspection is being carried out to check if passengers travelling in buses have fever or any symptoms. Besides, details of the passengers are also being collected and only then vehicles allowed to pass.
People found travelling from the infected areas and those travelling frequently have been directed to contact the health officials.
The government has identified the border areas that Kerala share with Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and multiple teams each headed by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) began the checking of vehicles coming into the state.
16:34 March 15
India-Bangladesh passenger train services suspended
India-Bangladesh passenger train services between Kolkata and cities in the neighbouring country have been suspended from Sunday as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19, on a Union government directive, an Eastern Railway official said.
The Eastern Railway said services of Maitree and Bandhan Express trains will remain suspended from March 15 to April 15 or till further orders, whichever is earlier.
The services of the two trains have been suspended as precautions being taken to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus, the ER official said.
While Maitree Express connects Kolkata with the Bangladesh capital Dhaka, Bandhan Express runs between Kolkata and Khulna city of the neighbouring country.
The city-headquartered zonal railway has also undertaken programmes at its different divisions, including Sealdah, Howrah and Asansol, to spread awareness among passengers and staff on cleanliness and safe practices such as washing hands, cough etiquette and self-quarantine during fever.
16:31 March 15
Delhi govt orders all mini buses to be disinfected daily
The Delhi government has ordered all mini buses to be disinfected daily in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the city where seven COVID-19 cases and one death have been reported so far.
The government had recently also ordered the agencies concerned to disinfect all DTC and cluster buses in the wake of the outbreak of the virus.
The transport department has issued an order directing the owners of mini buses plying in the national capital to wash and disinfect their vehicles every day.
"In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, all the permit holders and owners of mini buses plying in Delhi on STA (State Transport Authority) permit are directed to wash and disinfect their buses on daily basis," the order stated.
16:31 March 15
10 admitted to city hospital with coronavirus-like symptoms
Ten persons have been admitted to the isolation ward of the Beliaghata ID and BG Hospital here with novel coronavirus-like symptoms, a senior health department official said on Sunday.
All the 10 persons, who are from across the state, have a history of travelling abroad or coming in contact with foreigners, he said.
One of the two admitted persons from the city had travelled to Switzerland in the last week of February, the official said.
"The other city resident had recently travelled to Darjeeling with a British citizen. After returning from the hill town, he complained of fever and cold," he said.
15:49 March 15
6 Coronavirus patients cured and discharged from Safdarjung hospital
6 Coronavirus patients cured and discharged from Safdarjung hospital
Six patients suffering from Coronavirus were discharged from Safdarjung hospital in Delhi. They were kept in the isolation for 14 days.
14:51 March 15
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to close Mumbai Zoo (Veer Mata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan And Zoo) till further orders, to prevent Coronavirus spread.
14:50 March 15
Madhya Pradesh Minister PC Sharma said: "It was discussed in the state cabinet meeting that our MLAs who have come from Jaipur should be medically tested. Those in Haryana and Bengaluru should also be medically tested."
"Schools, colleges, libraries, cinema halls, marriage halls etc will be shut till further orders.50 isolation centres have been set up in the state. We are working on war footing to tackle this," he added.
14:49 March 15
PM Narendra Modi had telephonic conversation with Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray. They discussed the situation of Coronavirus in the state and the measures regarding it, sources said.
14:39 March 15
MP jail inmates to give 2k masks to health dept
Inmates of a jail in Madhya Pradesh will supply 2,000 masks they have manufactured to the state health department in view of the novel coronavirus outbreak, a senior official said on Sunday.
The inmates of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Central Jail in Jabalpur started making the masks after a request from the state health department, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Jails)(Jabalpur range) Gopal Tamrakar told media.
"A team of 50 inmates are engaged in making 2,000 masks. These will be supplied by March 16. The cost per piece is Rs 7. The cotton cloth used for preparing the masks has been made in the powerlooms installed in the jail itself," he said.
14:14 March 15
Railways start disinfecting Mumbai train coaches
According to the Central Railway (CR), all the coach fittings, including grab handles, door handles, door latches, entry doors, window grills, electric switches and other parts inside local trains as well as outstation trains are being cleaned using disinfectants.
"In order to ensure cleanliness and hygiene, especially in view of the Covid-19 advisory, special efforts are being put in during primary maintenance of coaches at the coaching depots of CR," an official statement said.
The CR officials said that they were also focusing on cleanliness of outstation trains.
An intensive cleaning and disinfection of toilets is also being ensured, they said.
14:14 March 15
Civic polls put off in AP
Elections to to rural and urban local bodies in Andhra Pradesh were put off indefinitely by the State Election Commission on Sunday in view of spread of coronavirus.
Elections to gram panchayats have been kept in abeyance for six weeks, State Election Commissioner N Ramesh Kumar said.
Taking due consideration of emerging challenges posted by coronavirus spread, the SEC is of the firm view that continuing with the election schedule may be detrimental and harmful to the public health at large," he told a press conference here.
14:12 March 15
KG, primary schools closed in TN till March 31
The Tamil Nadu government on Sunday directed closure of all kintergarden and primary schools till March 31 as it stepped up preventive measures against coronavirus.
Chief Minister K Palaniswami also issued order for closure of cinema halls and malls where people gather in large numbers till the month end in the taluks in 16 districts bordering neighbouring Kerala and Karnataka, where the number of COVID-19 cases is on the rise, an official release said.
In a series of measures, he also ordered released Rs 60 crore from the State Disaster relief fund to spruce up the preventive mechanism for containing the spread of the virus, which, however, has infected only one person in the state so far.
14:11 March 15
Don't conduct group tours till Mar 31: Cops to tour operators
Amid the coronavirus scare, the Mumbai Police on Sunday issued an order for tour operators, asking them not to take any groups to foreign or domestic destinations for tourism purpose till March 31, an official said.
Defying the order, which came into effect on Sunday, may attract action under IPC 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), the official said.
"To prevent further spread of COVID-19, we has issued an order prohibiting conduct of any kind of tour involving group of people, traveling together to a foreign or domestic destination organised by private tour operators. If found, the police take action against such groups under section 144 of
CrPC," Deputy Commissioner of Police Pranay Ashok said.
"This is a very specific order aimed at preventing danger to human life and safety. It should not be confused with the regular order issued under section 144 CrPC," he said.
13:22 March 15
Assam shuts schools, cancels exams till March 29
Assam Chief Secretary Sanjay Krishna said: "All school, colleges, universities, gyms, swimming pools and cinema halls will remain closed in the state till March 29. All examinations, except that of state and CBSE boards, have been postponed in view of coronavirus."
13:21 March 15
To prevent spread of COVIDー19, Mumbai Police has issued order prohibiting any tour involving group of people travelling together to a foreign/domestic destination organised by private tour operators or otherwise using powers u/s 144 CrPC. Order shall remain in force till 31st March.
12:57 March 15
218 evacuated from Italy sent to ITBP quarantine
A total of 218 Indians, mostly students, brought here from Italy on Sunday have been taken to an ITBP quarantine facility in south-west Delhi's Chhawla area, officials said.
The Air India flight from Milan landed around 9.45 am at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA).
Out of the total Indian nationals in this group, 211 are students.
"All the 218 evacuees from Milan are being taken to our quarantine facility in south west Delhi's Chhawla area. They will be there for over a fortnight as per quarantine procedures," an Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) spokesperson said.
The facility has earlier catered to two such batches of Indians and foreigners, evacuated from Wuhan in China, totalling 518 people.
12:56 March 15
SER opens 50-bed isolation ward in Ranchi railway hospital
The South Eastern Railway (SER) has opened a 50-bed isolation ward in the Ranchi rail division hospital in view of the novel coronavirus outbreak,
officials said on Sunday.
Apart from the 50-bed isolation ward, a 24/7 emergency team has also been deployed at the hospital, the SER said in a statement.
Cleaning workers of the SER are sanitising points of human contact such as doorknobs, washbasins and benches at major railway stations at regular intervals, it said.
There are 45 railway stations in the Ranchi railway division of the SER.
12:55 March 15
Karnataka govt postpones exams for classes VII to IX
The Karnataka government has announced postponement of annual examinations for classes seventh to ninth till March 31 as part of measures to prevent spread of coronavirus, which has claimed one life and affected five others in the state.
Revised exam dates will be declared later and the students would have study holidays till then, an Education department circular said here.
"As a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the annual examination of class seventh, eighth and ninth has been postponed till March 31," the Director of Public Instruction said in the circular on Saturday.
This was applicable to all schools, including private and unaided schools, it said.
12:48 March 15
Speaking to media, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said: "Delhi government along with central government are taking steps together to control outbreak of coronavirus."
"Coronavirus spreads from one individual to another individual. Please wash your hands with soap, " he added.
12:30 March 15
Total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across India is 107 (including foreign nationals as on 15th March at 12 PM) .
12:21 March 15
Karnataka Health Minister B Sriramulu visited the Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) in Kalaburgi on Sunday to inspect the isolation wards set up to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
The visit came even as the Central government announced the death of the 76-year-old man from Kalaburgi due to COVID-19.
12:10 March 15
Uttarakhand govt declares coronavirus an epidemic
The Uttarakhand government has declared novel coronavirus an epidemic and shut all multiplexes, cinema halls, degree colleges and technical institutes across the state till March 31, official sources said.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the state council of ministers here late on Saturday night.
However, medical colleges will remain open, they said.
Under the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897, the Centre has authorised state governments to take preventive measures to control the spread of coronavirus, state government spokesperson and Urban Development Minister Madan Kaushik said.
12:09 March 15
UK national tests positive for coronavirus; All 289 passengers offloaded at Kochi airport
At least 289 passengers of a Dubai-bound flight were offloaded at the airport here on Sunday shortly before takeoff after a UK national among them tested positive for novel coronavirus, official sources said here.
The passenger belonged to a group of 19 holidaying in the hill resort town of Munnar in Kerala and was under surveillance, a Cochin International Airport Limited spokesman said.
He joined the group to reach the Kochi airport without informing authorities in Munnar, he said.
When the test result came, the authorities came to know that he was at the Kochi airport and travelling by an Emirates flight. Firstly, it was decided to offload all 19 passengers of his group, he said.
"Now, it is decided to offload the remaining 270 pax also and send them to hospital for further investigation", the spokesman said.
12:07 March 15
MEA pulls out all stops to ensure safety of Indians abroad, sets up special cell
With the threat of coronavirus looming large, the Ministry of External Affairs has pulled out all the stops to ensure the safety of Indians abroad and set up a special cell to coordinate the issues related with the response to the pandemic that has claimed more than 5,000 lives worldwide.
Additional Secretary Dammu Ravi has been appointed as the point person for coordinating the response to COVID-19. He has four other officers and staff to support him, officials said.
"Our missions abroad are working round the clock and responding to queries from Indians nationals abroad. Missions have set up their helplines and are proactively responding to queries over phone and emails as well as using social media platforms to reach the Indian community members in these countries," an official said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla are personally monitoring the situation, they said.
12:07 March 15
One year jail for spreading rumours on coronavirus
Hyderabad Police have warned that those spreading false news and rumours on coronavirus may be jailed up to one year.
Hours after the state government announced shutdown to contain coronavirus, the police chief warned against rumours and false news.
Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar said false news and rumours are bad for society. He said those who are spreading false information on social media and creating panic on coronavirus were liable for punishment under the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Act section. Punishment under the Act can be up to one year imprisonment and fine, he said.
"Whoever makes or circulates a false alarm or warning as to disaster or its severity or magnitude, leading to panic, shall on conviction, be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to one year or with fine," says section 54 of the Act.
Announcing the closure of all educational institutions and banning public gatherings, Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao on Saturday night warned the media against publishing or airing unconfirmed reports about coronavirus cases.
He asked the media outlets to strictly go by the information released from the health department with regard to the coronavirus cases. "Those spreading false news will face stringent action," he said.
11:36 March 15
Malls closed in Nagpur following the state govt order.
11:20 March 15
Mumbai Police has issued an order prohibiting the conduct of any kind of tour involving a group of people traveling together to foreign or domestic destination organized by private tour operators or otherwise.
However, should anyone, including private tour operators, need to travel under exceptional circumstances, they may do so after seeking permission from the office of the Commissioner of Police, Greater Mumbai.
11:19 March 15
Andhra Pradesh Election Commissioner N Ramesh Kumar said: "We have decided to postpone the local body polls for six weeks in the wake of coronavirus spread. New dates will be announced once the spread of the virus is contained."
10:39 March 15
Union Minister of State for Health Ashwini Choubey said: "The govt has issued an advisory asking civil hospitals and medical colleges to set up isolation wards. We are trying our best to contain spread of coronavirus which has spread to 12 states."
10:38 March 15
Union Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan said: "218 Indians including 211 students from Milan landed in Delhi. All will be quarantined for 14 days. Govt is committed to reaching out to Indians in distress, wherever they are."
10:38 March 15
As a precautionary measure, state education minister S Suresh Kumar has instructed to postpone the examinations of 7th, 8th and 9th classes until 31st March 2020.
10:37 March 15
Kolkata's Indian Museum shut till March 31
Three prime tourist attractions of the city - Indian Museum, Science City and Birla Industrial and Technology Museum - would remain shut for visitors from Sunday till March 31 as a precautionary measure to prevent spread of coronavirus, officials said on Saturday.
The Indian Museum's trustee board at a meeting decided to close the iconic building and its premises to the visitors. The decision was taken as a large number of visitors from India as well as abroad come to see the exhibits, said an official.
10:34 March 15
Substandard sanitisers seized in Pune, three held
Three persons were arrested on Saturday for allegedly selling substandard sanitisers.
Police seized substandard sanitisers worth Rs 1.02 lakh and also confiscated product containers, empty bottles, caps, and labels from the possession of the accused.
The accused have been identified as Ajay Gandhi, Mohan Chaudhary and Suresh Chheda.
The three were arrested following the guidance of additional commissioner (crime) Ashok Morale and DCP (crime ) Bachchan Singh to prevent black marketing of substandard sanitisers in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.
A case has been registered against the three under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Essential Commodities Act.
10:32 March 15
No morning assembly in schools, colleges in Assam
As a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus, no morning assembly in schools, colleges and higher educational institutions, the Assam government said.
"There shall not be any form of morning assembly in the schools/colleges/higher educational institutions. No exhibitions shall be organised in the schools/colleges/higher educational institutions," Commissioner and Secretary to Government of Assam, Education Department said.
The Assam Chief Minister's Office stated that Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday took a detailed review of the situation emanated in the wake of coronavirus crisis across many countries and its fallout in India with special focus on measures deployed at the state's airports to screen passengers.
10:30 March 15
Man held in Odisha for posting fake news on coronavirus
A man has been arrested on charges of posting fake news on social media on coronavirus in Rayagada, police said on Saturday.
The man was identified as Satyanarayan Samal (32).
"The accused had posted on Facebook that a person infected with coronavirus was admitted to a district hospital which turned out to be fake," police said.
The accused has been booked under Sections 153A, 504, 507 and 505 (1) (b).
09:54 March 15
Number of coronavirus cases rises to 93 in India
The number of coronavirus cases in India has risen to 93, informed Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday.
So far, two deaths due to the lethal infection have been reported in the country.
In the wake of spurt in cases of the COVID-19 across the country, the Central Government on Saturday decided to treat the deadly virus as a "notified disaster".
The coronavirus, which originated in China's Wuhan city in December last year, has so far spread to more than 100 countries, infecting over 1,20,000 people.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared coronavirus a pandemic and Europe as its epicentre with more reported cases and deaths than the rest of the world combined, apart from China.
09:48 March 15
Delhi Police has extended quarantine facilities at two of its training centres, located at Jharoda Kalan and Wazirabad.
09:39 March 15
Mumbai Blue Star Air Travel Services director Madhav Oza said: "We began seeing negative impact of coronavirus in last week of January when customers started cancelling flight bookings for China. In February, we saw about 35% fall in international bookings compared to Feb 2019."
"In first week of March, we witnessed 50% reduction in international flight bookings & drop in domestic flight bookings also began. In second week of March, we saw a reduction of 75% in international flight bookings," he added.
09:30 March 15
In wake of the COVID-19 India outbreak, as a precautionary measure to contain and control the spread of the disease, the travel and registration for Sri Kartarpur Sahib is temporarily suspended from 12 am March 16, 2020, till further orders.
09:29 March 15
Roman Catholic Church has issued advisory urging those who have come in contact with Coronavirus patients to not attend public functions, including prayers. Church also urged priests to purify their hands with water or sanitiser before distribution of Holy Communion.
09:21 March 15
Medical store in Kerala sells face masks for Rs 2
At a time when many pharmacies are charging exorbitant prices for the face masks and hand sanitisers in the backdrop of high demand due to the coronavirus pandemic, a surgical shop owner here is selling masks just for Rs 2.
The supplies of masks and sanitisers have been limited and are being sold at higher prices than normal due to inflated demand following a surge in COVID-19 cases in the country.
However, the surgical store in Kerala has decided to stick to the original costing and has so far sold over 5000 masks in the last two days.
Nadheem, the co-owner of a surgical shop in Kochi, told media: "We have sold around 5000 masks at Rs 2 each in two days. We decided to sell masks at a reasonable price especially to the common people like hospital staff and students."
Thasleem PK, co-owner of Cochin Surgicals, said: "We have been selling masks at Rs 2 for the last 8 years. But now, the rate has gone up everywhere. We bought the masks at Rs 8 or Rs 10 and are selling at Rs 2, while others are selling at Rs 25."
07:37 March 15
Jaisalmer: Two Air India flights carrying over 230 Indians from coronavirus-hit Iran landed here on Sunday morning and the passengers have been quarantined at the Indian Army Wellness Centre at Jaisalmer.
While External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that a total of 234 Indians have been evacuated from Iran, defence spokesperson Col Sombit Ghosh said, "236 persons have landed in Jaisalmer by two Air India flights this morning."
Jaishankar said the batch comprises 131 students and 103 pilgrims.
"234 Indians stranded in Iran have arrived in India; including 131 students and 103 pilgrims.Thank you Ambassador Dhamu Gaddam and @India_in_Iran team for your efforts. Thank Iranian authorities," Jaishankar tweeted.
"They are being quarantined at the Indian Army Wellness Centre at Jaisalmer," Col Ghosh said.
The centre is fully equipped and a functional facility to help Indian citizens undertake the mandatory quarantine period under the supervision of skilled medical authorities.
Soldiers have volunteered to provide care and support to the countrymen returning from overseas, he said.
The Army Wellness Centre is working in synergy with the Civil Administration, Airport authorities and Air Force to ensure proper care is provided to the evacuated citizens.
This is the third batch of Indians evacuated from Iran.
A second batch of 44 Indian pilgrims had arrived from Iran on Friday.The first batch of 58 Indian pilgrims were brought back from Iran on Tuesday.
Iran is one of the worst-affected countries by the coronavirus outbreak and the government has been working on plans to bring back Indians stranded there.
Also Read: covid-19-centre-restricts-passenger-movement-through-immigration-checkposts
13:15 March 16
Police have registered a case against a TV channel reality show celebrity, and 78 others for violating the Covid-19 advisory. Hundreds of fans including women and children had come to Cochin international airport to receive Rajith Kumar who returned from the channel show.
13:05 March 16
Amid the rising number of coronavirus cases in the country, the order of closure of malls and multiplexes across many top cities by the respective
state governments to prevent people congregating for any reason, has caused the organised retail scene there to come to a grinding halt, according to Anarock Retail.
Ahmedabad, Bangaluru, Chennai, Delhi/NCR, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune have 126 malls sprawling over more than 61 million sq. ft. area, and more than 100 malls have multiplexes attached, the property consultant said.
12:51 March 16
The Delhi High Court on Monday said it will issue more directions about precautions to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The court observed this when an advocate mentioned before a bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar that the photocopy shops and cash counters in the complex should accept also digital payments.
Advocate and BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay said the photocopy shops and the cash counters in the high court premises accept only cash payments and they should also accept digital payments as a precaution to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
12:14 March 16
Priest put face mask on Ganesh idol at famous Siddivinayak temple today, to spread awareness on coronavirus.
Temple authority also appealed to devotees not to panic.
12:13 March 16
11:56 March 16
Amusement park operator Wonderla Holidays on Monday said it has decided to temporarily close its Hyderabad park from 15-21 March due to the rising coronavirus scare in Telangana.
"In view of the emerging situation in the state of Telangana, consequent to the reported coronavirus cases, the company has decided to temporarily close the Hyderabad park from 15-21 March 2020," it said in a filing to BSE.
The decision, it said, has been taken in accordance with the safety and pre-cautionary guidelines outlined by the state government to prevent and contain the spread of new coronavirus (Covid-19).
A 46-year-old person from Telangana tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday, taking the total number of cases to three in the state, health department officials said.
11:19 March 16
Thermal screening of lawyers, litigants, scribes at SC
Lawyers, litigants and media personnels were thermal-screened in the Supreme Court on Monday amid coronavirus scare.
The top court, which has taken several precautionary measures in wake of the pandemic has allowed only restricted entry of lawyers, litigants and journalists in the courtroom.
Long queues were seen at the entry gate with health officials thermal screening the lawyers, litigants and journalists.
There was also confusion among the officials as to who should be allowed inside the premises and the courtroom due to restricted entry. Only lawyers and litigants whose matters were listed for the day were allowed to enter the courtrooms.
Only six of the total 15 benches of the apex court will be sitting and only 12 matters each will be taken up today.
To avoid overcrowding in courtrooms, judges will first take up six matters and then take a half an hour break and then take next six items listed for the day.
The top court had earlier notified that only urgent matters will be taken up to avoid overcrowding.
Usually 15 benches of the Supreme Court sit on Monday and Friday and miscellaneous matters are taken up on these days.
11:11 March 16
Coronavirus cases reaches to 33 in Maharashtra
One more person has been tested positive for Coronavirus in Pimpri-Chinchwad, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 33 in the state - Maharashtra Health Department.
10:35 March 16
One foreign, 8 Indian students kept under 14-day isolation at IIT Roorkee
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has kept under 14-day isolation one foreign and eight Indian students on suspicion of coronavirus.
Meanwhile, at least 70 foreign nationals have been kept under observation by the health department in Uttarakhand's Nainital district.
Uttarakhand government has banned mass gatherings, including seminars and protests, in the state amid coronavirus outbreak, informed state minister Madan Kaushik on Sunday.
A total of 110 cases of coronavirus, including 17 foreign nationals, have been confirmed across India, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Sunday.
The maximum positive cases have been reported from Maharashtra (32), followed by Kerala (22).
10:32 March 16
Patna HC to hear only urgent, regular bail matters till March 31
In the backdrop of coronavirus pandemic, the Patna High Court has decided to hear only the urgent and regular bail matters till March 31. Further, all matters to be listed in between March 17 to March 31, shall now be listed on April 4.
"In the temporary supersession of all the previous notices regarding mentioning of urgent matters, the competent authority has been pleased to direct that till March 31, all urgent matters shall be orally mentioned before the Bench," read the notice.
10:10 March 16
Pune admin develops website to monitor self-quarantine patients
In the backdrop of coronavirus pandemic, the district administration has developed a website to keep track of those who have been put on self-quarantine. It also provides a platform to report about the potential patients.
Any citizen or doctor can register themselves and can access the website by providing a mobile number which will be verified through an OTP.
The team which was developed the website was led by Ayush Prasad, Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pune.
09:58 March 16
Odisha registers first Coronavirus case
One positive case of #Coronavirus detected in Odisha. He has travel history to Italy. He later took a train from Delhi to Bhubaneswar. The patient is admitted at a Bhubaneswar hospital. - Dr. CBK Mohanty, Director, Health & Education Training, Odisha
09:32 March 16
Forest Research Institute of Dehradun shut till March 31
The Forest Research Institute of Dehradun has been closed for "all kinds of visits" till March 31 in view of coronavirus.
This comes in the wake of a trainee forest service officer of the Indian Forest Service (IFS) who returned from an international study tour to Spain recently tested positive for COVID-19.
The officer had returned from an international study tour to Spain, Finland and Russia along with other probationers on March 11.
The Uttarakhand government has declared novel coronavirus an epidemic and shut all multiplexes, cinema halls, degree colleges and technical institutes across the state till March 31.
05:15 March 16
Maharashtra records 32 positive cases, highest in the country
According to Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Maharashtra has 32 confirmed cases of coronavirus after Kerala, the highest in the country.
With the increase in Covid-29 cases, public places across the state wore a deserted look.
Footfall decreased in amusement parks and gardens in Ramdaspeth area of Nagpur over coronavirus concerns.
05:10 March 16
Suspected coronavirus patient escapes from Darbhanga Medical College in Bihar
A suspected coronavirus patient escaped from Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital in Bihar on Sunday.
"The patient escaped while he was being taken to the isolation ward. We have informed police and district administration," said Rajeev Ranjan, Medical Superintendent.
More details are awaited.
05:09 March 16
Departments ensure public gathering places remain closed in Telangana
As a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus, various departments in Telangana are ensuring that all the public gathering places are closed, according to state government officials.
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao had earlier said that all educational institutions in the state will remain closed till March 31. "As part of preventive measures, people should not go to public places to prevent themselves from COVID-19... If anyone keeps open then severe action will be initiated against them," the Chief Minister had said.
Famous places having high footfall like Lumbini Park, NTR Park, Nehru Zoological Park, Salarjung Museum and sports stadiums remained closed on Sunday. All the educational institutions in the state also closed their campuses immediately after receiving orders from the state government.
The Chief Minister had also said, "Public meetings, seminars, workshops, rallies, exhibitions, cultural events and other public gathering events will not be allowed... Indoor and outdoor sports stadiums, swimming pools, zoos, gyms, amusement parks will also remain closed."
Rao has clearly said that severe action will be initiated against those who violate government orders.
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has also ensured that all public gathering places are closed in Hyderabad including pubs, bars and gyms.
05:05 March 16
Fourth batch of Indian citizens returns to India from Iran
External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar has informed thet the fourth batch of 53 Indians - 52 students & a teacher - has arrived from Tehran & Shiraz, in Iran.
With this, a total of 389 Indians have returned to India from Iran.
22:58 March 15
Belur Math to remain closed till further notice in view of COVID-19 spread
The headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission at Belur Math to remain closed amid coronavirus spread till further notice. Recently, a notice was issued by the headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission saying the offering pranam to president Maharaj will remain suspended.
"Offering pranam to revered president Maharaj will remain suspended until further notice," it read. "Regarding Mantra-Diksha the devotees are requested to contact in person or over the Phone 033-26545700 between 10.30 am to 11.30 am or 4.30 pm to 5.30 pm," it further added.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared coronavirus a pandemic.
22:49 March 15
Sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik raised awareness about Coronavirus
The world is now in a state of panic over the coronavirus. They are being warned not to shake hands with each other. International sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik has also raised awareness on the issue of sand art on the beach.
Sudarshan sends a message in his sand art to greet each other without shaking hands. Taking a salute to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he has given his place in the sand art.
In the last few days, the President of the United States has called on the people of the world to follow the practice of greeting in Indian culture. Which, of course, made the video an overnight sensation.
22:46 March 15
Cases filed in Satara, Shirdi for flouting mass
Five people were booked in Satara in Maharashtra for violating social distancing rules in place to tackle the coronavirus outbreak by organising a religious event on March 13 in which over 5,000 people participated, police said on Sunday.
These five are members of the 'Bavdhan Yatra Sanyojan Samiti' that organises the 'Bavdhan Yatra' in Wai in Satara, some 230 kilometers from the metropolis.
"Despite an order by the collector banning such gatherings in view of the novel coronavirus outbreak, they went ahead and organised the yatra in which over 5,000 people from different parts of the state took part," Satara Superintendent of Police Tejaswini Satpute told.
22:33 March 15
Fewer tourists seen at Kerala's famous Kovalam beach
The COVID-19 pandemic is massively affecting the tourism industry of Kerala. Even the famous tourist spot of Kovalam beach, which is usually swarmed with tourists, was seen deserted on Sunday.
"After the coronavirus outbreak, the situation has been very bad. Day by day, a less number of people are coming to the beach," one of the vendors at the beach told. "The business is zero," he added.
22:16 March 15
Gathering at marriage functions shouldn't exceed 100 people: B'luru civic body
The civic body in Bengaluru has said that gathering at marriage functions should not exceed 100 people in order to curb the spread of coronavirus. A circular issued by Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) dated March 15 said, "All marriage functions pre booked in marriage halls, hotels, Party places, etc. prior to the issue of circular dated March 13, shall be allowed to be conducted subject to the condition that the gathering in the function not exceeding 100 persons."
22:15 March 15
18 co-passengers of COVID-19 positive UK citizen sent to isolation ward in Ernakulam
Nineteen persons of Dubai-bound Emirates flight including the UK citizen who tested positive for coronavirus, have been kept in the isolation ward at Ernakulam Medical College, said Dr MK Kuttappan, District Medical Officer on Sunday.
"The 19 persons have been kept in the isolation ward at Ernakulam medical college," said Dr Kuttappan.
21:10 March 15
Lucknow admn orders closure of coaching institutes till Mar 22
The Lucknow district administration on Sunday ordered closure of all coaching institutes in the state capital till March 22 in view of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
District Magistrate Abhishek Prakash warned of action against institutes for non-compliance of the order.
"The owners, managers and coordinators of all the coaching institutes in the district have been directed to keep them closed till March 22. The closure will come into immediate effect," Prakash said in the official order.
Action will be initiated against those found flouting the order, he said.
The order comes a day after the Uttar Pradesh government closed all schools and colleges in the state where exams are not going on till March 22.
21:09 March 15
Report of Kerala woman quarantined in Goa awaited
The report of a 48-year-old woman from Kerala who has been quarantined for suspected exposure to novel coronavirus in Goa since Thursday is awaited, health officials said on Sunday.
She is currently in the isolation ward of Goa Medical College and Hospital and her sample has been sent to NIV in Pune, an official said.
Another 65 people are under home observation in the state, he added.
21:01 March 15
2 Nigerians in isolation ward of Assam hospital
Two Nigerians, who entered the country from Bangladesh, have been admitted to an isolation ward of a hospital here for coronavirus-related tests, police said on Sunday.
During a routine check, the two Guwahati-bound foreigners were taken into custody by police personnel of the Churaibari outpost near Assam-Tripura border and sent to Karimganj Civil Hospital for necessary tests, a senior officer said.
"They had entered India from the neighbouring country on Saturday," Churaibari outpost in-charge Mintu Seal said.
"The Nigerians have been admitted in the isolation ward and will remain there till the doctors give a clearance," the police officer said.
20:51 March 15
Nashik schools, malls to remain shut till Mar 31
A total of 218 Indians, mostly students, were brought here from coronavirus-hit Italy on Sunday and taken to an ITBP quarantine facility in southwest Delhi's Chhawla area, officials said.
An Air India flight carrying them from Milan landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) around 9.45 am.
Out of the total Indian nationals in this group, 211 are students.
After preliminary body temperature scanning at the tarmac, the evacuees were taken in ITBP buses to its Chhawla quarantine centre.
"All the 218 evacuees from Milan are being taken to our quarantine facility in southwest Delhi's Chhawla area. They will be there for over a fortnight as per quarantine procedures," an Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) force spokesperson said.
There are 154 males and 64 females in this group and the exercise to obtain their first samples for coronavirus testing has begun, he said.
Their reports are expected by late Monday evening, the spokesperson added.
20:48 March 15
218 evacuated from Italy sent to ITBP quarantine facility
A total of 218 Indians, mostly students, were brought here from coronavirus-hit Italy on Sunday and taken to an ITBP quarantine facility in southwest Delhi's Chhawla area, officials said.
An Air India flight carrying them from Milan landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) around 9.45 am.
Out of the total Indian nationals in this group, 211 are students.
After preliminary body temperature scanning at the tarmac, the evacuees were taken in ITBP buses to its Chhawla quarantine centre.
"All the 218 evacuees from Milan are being taken to our quarantine facility in southwest Delhi's Chhawla area. They will be there for over a fortnight as per quarantine procedures," an Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) force spokesperson said.
There are 154 males and 64 females in this group and the exercise to obtain their first samples for coronavirus testing has begun, he said.
Their reports are expected by late Monday evening, the spokesperson added.
20:45 March 15
Coronavirus: Section 144 of crpc to be imposed in Pune?
The district administration is mulling imposition of the section 144 of CrPC in Pune to check the spread of novel coronavirus, a senior official said here on Sunday.
Addressing reporters, Pune Divisional Commissioner Deepak Mhaisekar said the administration has decided to change the strategy to control the spread of the coronavirus in view of rising cases.
20:31 March 15
Corona outbreak: Raj HC asks subordinate courts to avoid crowding of court premises
The Rajasthan High Court on Sunday asked all lower courts in the state to take all possible precautions against the spread of deadly coronavirus, including the legal and technological steps to avoid overcrowding in court premises.
The principal bench of the high court at Jodhpur here issued a detailed advisory to all subordinate courts in the state to curb crowding within the court premises.
Among the legal measures to avoid overcrowding, the high court also asked the lower courts' judges to favourably consider the plea for exemption from personal appearance by accused, complainant and witnesses.
It also asked them not to insist upon any unnecessary presence of any party and not to pass an adverse legal order in absence of a party.
20:26 March 15
Third case of COVID-19 reported in Telangana
A 46-year-old person from Telangana tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday,taking the total number of cases to three in the state, health department officials said.
On Saturday, the state reported the second COVID-19 positive case, with the samples of a person who travelled to Italy testing positive.
The first positive case of a 24-year-old techie, who was thefirst confirmed case in Telangana, was discharged from the state-run Gandhi hospital here on Friday night following his recovery.
Health officials on Sunday said one of the two samples sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) at Pune tested positive.
"We had sent two samples to Pune for confirmation, out of which one was positive and the other negative. The patient returned from the Netherlands on March 9. He is in an isolation ward and undergoing treatment at Gandhi hospital. He himself reported to the hospital on March 13," the official said.
20:24 March 15
Coronavirus: 2,157 persons put under surveillance in J-K
The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday said 2,157 people -- travellers and persons in contact with suspected coronavirus cases -- have been put under surveillance in the union territory.
According to the daily media bulletin on novel coronavirus (COVID-19), 1829 persons are under home quarantine and 29 persons are in hospital quarantine while 131 persons are under home surveillance.
20:12 March 15
West Bengal seals all but one entry point with Bangladesh
The West Bengal government has sealed all but one of the state's entry points with neighbouring Bangladesh in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, a senior official said on Sunday.
All entry points to West Bengal from Bangladesh have been sealed expect the one at Gede in Nadia district, he said.
"No Bangladesh national with travel visa will be allowed to enter the state in view of the current coronavirus situation," the official said.
He said only diplomats or officials associated with the United Nations and the World Health Organisation will be allowed to enter through the Indo-Bangla entry points.
20:06 March 15
Coronavirus: Guj schools, theatres to be shut for 2 weeks
The Gujarat government on Sunday ordered the closure of educational institutions, cinema
halls and swimming pools for two weeks starting Monday as part of preventivemeasures against the novel coronavirus threat, a top official said.
The state has not reported a single positive case of coronavirus as yet.
An official said action would be taken against those spitting in public as part of the measures to curb the spread of the virus.
"For two weeks starting from Monday, all educational institutions, including schools, colleges, tuition classes, Anganwadis etc will remain closed. Teachers and office staff will attend the institutions but classes will remain suspended for a period of two weeks," Chief Secretary Anil Mukim said.
19:37 March 15
One more people tested positive in Pune
One more person tested positive for COVID-19 in Pune's Pimpri Chinchwad. The total number of cases rises in the state to 33.
19:17 March 15
Two more people tested positive in Kerala
Two more people, one doctor who returned from abroad after completing his studies and one British citizen tested positive for COVID-19. The total number of cases rises in the state to 24.
19:08 March 15
Coronavirus: AYUSH medicines are promotive ones, says Naik
Union AYUSH minister Shripad Naik on Sunday said his ministry has not claimed that Ayurveda, Unani and Homeopathy have cures for novel coronavirus as these lines of treatment are yet to be scientifically validated.
The minister said treatments prescribed in the three systems of alternative medicine are meant for the respiratory system and help boost immunity.
He, however, added that some of these medicines can be used to "lessen the impact of the coronavirus".
"We have firmly said that though our medicine is not validated scientifically, it has been proved that Ayurveda, Homeopathy and Unani can be used as promotive medicines," he told on Sunday.
Promotive medicines look at boosting health and immunity as a bulwark against diseases rather than a direct cure from the pathogen.
"It can be used by those who are already infected so that they can get relief," he said.
Naik said some medicines prescribed in Ayurveda, Homeopathy and Unani have been validated by his ministry at "our level" but overall validation is a "lengthy process".
18:22 March 15
The first case of coronavirus has been reported in Uttarakhand
Indira Gandhi National Forest Research trainee who returned back from Finland was tested positive in Dehradun after he along with his teammates where tested for the disease.
17:53 March 15
5 booked for organising yatra in Satara
Five people were booked in Satara in Maharashtra for violating social distancing rules in place to tackle the coronavirus outbreak by organising a religious event on March 13 in which over 5,000 people participated, police said on Sunday.
These five are members of the 'Bavdhan Yatra Sanyojan Samiti' that organises the 'Bavdhan Yatra' in Wai in Satara, some 230 kilometers from the metropolis.
"Despite an order by the collector banning such gatherings in view of the novel coronavirus outbreak, they went ahead and organised the yatra in which over 5,000 people from different parts of the state took part," Satara Superintendent of Police Tejaswini Satpute told.
Police identified them as Rajendra Abaji Bhosle (president), Deepak Dilip Nanaware (vice president), Ankush Jagannath Kumbhar (secretary), Sachin Appaso Bhosle (treasurer) and Sambhaji Shivaji Dabhade (member).
17:51 March 15
16 people home quarntined in Kalaburagi district
Sixteen people with a travel history abroad have been home quarantined in Kalaburagi district, Karnataka health minister B Sriramulu said here on
Sunday.
The Minister said he was visiting hospitals on the directions of Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa after India's first COVID-19 death was reported from the district.
"I am visiting hospitals and seeing how the isolation wards are maintained. There are 16 people in Kalaburagi who had returned from abroad. They have been home quarantined for 14 days. We are closely monitoring them," he told reporters in Kalaburagi.
He said the Chief Minister had directed him to visit the district, inspect hospitals and isolation wards and submit a report.
Sriramulu said a five kilometre buffer zone has been created around the area where the 72-year-old died on March 10.
17:29 March 15
-
With no vaccine or treatment being available for #COVID19, #SocialDistancing is the best way to prevent spread of the pandemic. Reduce social interactions like religious functions, marriage, etc. and call on Toll-Free No. 104 if you have recently travelled outside #Odisha. pic.twitter.com/nUh421sCxp
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) March 15, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
">With no vaccine or treatment being available for #COVID19, #SocialDistancing is the best way to prevent spread of the pandemic. Reduce social interactions like religious functions, marriage, etc. and call on Toll-Free No. 104 if you have recently travelled outside #Odisha. pic.twitter.com/nUh421sCxp
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) March 15, 2020With no vaccine or treatment being available for #COVID19, #SocialDistancing is the best way to prevent spread of the pandemic. Reduce social interactions like religious functions, marriage, etc. and call on Toll-Free No. 104 if you have recently travelled outside #Odisha. pic.twitter.com/nUh421sCxp
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) March 15, 2020
Practise social distancing to prevent COVID-19: Naveen Patnaik
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday asked people to practise social distancing and refrain from spreading misinformation about COVID-19, saying extraordinary circumstances call for an extraordinary response.
Two days after the BJD government in Odisha had declared the disease as a "state disaster" and allocated Rs 200 crore to combat it, the chief minister appealed to the citizens that each one has to be committed as an individual and each family has to act as a responsible unit to protect one other from this pandemic.
Patnaik said personal inconveniences will be faced and families may have to make sacrifices, but extraordinary circumstances call for an extraordinary response.
"Terming the #COVID19 outbreak a pandemic for human race, one without vaccine or treatment, CM @Naveen Odisha has appealed all the citizens to practice social distancing and refrain from spreading rumours and misinformation," the Chief Minister's Office said in a tweet.
Each one should avoid social gatherings and assemblies like religious functions, marriage receptions, the chief minister said.
"Being at home, reducing social interactions and avoiding gatherings will cut down vulnerability to a great extent," he said.
So far, no coronavirus case has been confirmed in the state.
17:27 March 15
All 3 old corona positive patients cured, one new virus-hit man undergoing treatment: Official
All three old cases of coronavirus-positive patients in the state have now been tested negative and cured, while a 24-year-old youth found having the affliction is undergoing treatment at SMS Hospital here, a senior official said on Sunday.
The three who have been declared corona-negative following repeat tests include an Italian couple and a Dubai-returned, 85-year-old Jaipur native.
Sixty-nine-year-old Italian man and an 85-year-old Jaipur native have been tested negative now twice. Both are now coronavirus-free, said Additional Chief Secretary (Medical & Health) Rohit Kumar Singh.
Italian's man wife was tested negative for coronavirus affliction earlier.
Singh said a total of three corona patients, including corona-positive, 70-year-old wife of the Italian man, have turned coronavirus-free after treatment at the state-run Sawai Man Singh Hospital, Jaipur.
The three, however, have not yet been discharged and continue to be admitted in hospitals, he said.
The Italian woman has been shifted to Rajasthan University of Medical Sciences (RUHS) Hospital from SMS hospital while the remaining two are in the SMS hospital.
A total of four persons have been tested positive for coronavirus here in the state so far and three of them have become free from the virus.
The fourth patient, a 24-year-old man, who was tested positive on Saturday, is also admitted at the SMS hospital.
17:00 March 15
Sample of Maha man who died in quarantine tests negative
The sample of a 71-year-old man who died on Saturday while under quarantine in Buldhana in
Maharashtra for suspected exposure to novel coronavirus has returned negative, a health official said on Sunday.
It was feared earlier that the septuagenarian became the first victim of Covid-19 in the state, which has reported 32 confirmed cases as on Sunday.
The man, with a history of diabetes and high blood pressure, had returned from the United Arab Emirates some days ago, an official said.
"He was admitted in Buldhana general hospital, where he died on Saturday. His sample, which was sent to Nagpur for testing, has returned negative," Civil Surgeon Premchand Pandit told.
There have been no deaths due to viral transmission in Maharashtra so far.
16:58 March 15
Restrictions Clamped For Tourists At Odisha's Puri
Puri (Odisha): In the wake of Coronavirus outbreak across the globe including India, the district administration in Odisha's Puri has announced the imposition of restrictions at the international tourist spot today.
According to sources, Puri district administration on Saturday imposed restriction on the movement of tourists. Tourists have been banned from travelling from Puri to nearby Satpada, Chandrabhaga, Chilika and Konark. Tour bus operations on these routes have been restricted.
Puri Collector Balwant Singh has asked people intending to visit Puri to drop their plans. He has also appealed the residents of Puri to not panic but take precautions, avoid social gatherings and if possible stay indoors, sources said.
"The ban has been imposed from Sunday 15th March to 31st March 2020. The decision was taken in an emergency meeting with travel agencies and tour operators at the district tourism office on Saturday evening. Any group of tourists will not be allowed to visit places of tourist attractions. The advisory has been issued especially for hotels, travel agencies and tour operators. Police and the tourism department have been instructed to immediately report if any suspicious case comes across," said Bijay Kumar Jena, Assistant Director, Puri Tourism.
Jena has also requested people from outside the district not visit Puri if necessary and if they are suffering from cold, cough or fever.
Meanwhile, all tourist buses in the district have been taken off-road. Jena urged all to cooperate and also asked Puri residents to inform the administration about any Coronavirus suspect who has visited the district recently, sources added.
16:56 March 15
Assam government has decided that all schools, colleges
In the wake of surging coronavirus cases in India, the Assam government has decided that all schools, colleges, universities, gyms, swimming pools, and cinema halls will remain closed in the state till March 29. Assam Chief Secretary Sanjay Krishna had made the announcement on Sunday.
Moreover, except state board and CBSE boards, all other examinations have been postponed in the view of COVID-19.
16:53 March 15
Covid 19: Strong inspection at checkposts begins
With increase in number of Coronavirus cases, the Kerala government on Sunday launched intensified medical check up at border areas for people entering the state by rail and road.
Inspection is being carried out to check if passengers travelling in buses have fever or any symptoms. Besides, details of the passengers are also being collected and only then vehicles allowed to pass.
People found travelling from the infected areas and those travelling frequently have been directed to contact the health officials.
The government has identified the border areas that Kerala share with Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and multiple teams each headed by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) began the checking of vehicles coming into the state.
16:34 March 15
India-Bangladesh passenger train services suspended
India-Bangladesh passenger train services between Kolkata and cities in the neighbouring country have been suspended from Sunday as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19, on a Union government directive, an Eastern Railway official said.
The Eastern Railway said services of Maitree and Bandhan Express trains will remain suspended from March 15 to April 15 or till further orders, whichever is earlier.
The services of the two trains have been suspended as precautions being taken to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus, the ER official said.
While Maitree Express connects Kolkata with the Bangladesh capital Dhaka, Bandhan Express runs between Kolkata and Khulna city of the neighbouring country.
The city-headquartered zonal railway has also undertaken programmes at its different divisions, including Sealdah, Howrah and Asansol, to spread awareness among passengers and staff on cleanliness and safe practices such as washing hands, cough etiquette and self-quarantine during fever.
16:31 March 15
Delhi govt orders all mini buses to be disinfected daily
The Delhi government has ordered all mini buses to be disinfected daily in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the city where seven COVID-19 cases and one death have been reported so far.
The government had recently also ordered the agencies concerned to disinfect all DTC and cluster buses in the wake of the outbreak of the virus.
The transport department has issued an order directing the owners of mini buses plying in the national capital to wash and disinfect their vehicles every day.
"In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, all the permit holders and owners of mini buses plying in Delhi on STA (State Transport Authority) permit are directed to wash and disinfect their buses on daily basis," the order stated.
16:31 March 15
10 admitted to city hospital with coronavirus-like symptoms
Ten persons have been admitted to the isolation ward of the Beliaghata ID and BG Hospital here with novel coronavirus-like symptoms, a senior health department official said on Sunday.
All the 10 persons, who are from across the state, have a history of travelling abroad or coming in contact with foreigners, he said.
One of the two admitted persons from the city had travelled to Switzerland in the last week of February, the official said.
"The other city resident had recently travelled to Darjeeling with a British citizen. After returning from the hill town, he complained of fever and cold," he said.
15:49 March 15
6 Coronavirus patients cured and discharged from Safdarjung hospital
6 Coronavirus patients cured and discharged from Safdarjung hospital
Six patients suffering from Coronavirus were discharged from Safdarjung hospital in Delhi. They were kept in the isolation for 14 days.
14:51 March 15
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to close Mumbai Zoo (Veer Mata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan And Zoo) till further orders, to prevent Coronavirus spread.
14:50 March 15
Madhya Pradesh Minister PC Sharma said: "It was discussed in the state cabinet meeting that our MLAs who have come from Jaipur should be medically tested. Those in Haryana and Bengaluru should also be medically tested."
"Schools, colleges, libraries, cinema halls, marriage halls etc will be shut till further orders.50 isolation centres have been set up in the state. We are working on war footing to tackle this," he added.
14:49 March 15
PM Narendra Modi had telephonic conversation with Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray. They discussed the situation of Coronavirus in the state and the measures regarding it, sources said.
14:39 March 15
MP jail inmates to give 2k masks to health dept
Inmates of a jail in Madhya Pradesh will supply 2,000 masks they have manufactured to the state health department in view of the novel coronavirus outbreak, a senior official said on Sunday.
The inmates of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Central Jail in Jabalpur started making the masks after a request from the state health department, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Jails)(Jabalpur range) Gopal Tamrakar told media.
"A team of 50 inmates are engaged in making 2,000 masks. These will be supplied by March 16. The cost per piece is Rs 7. The cotton cloth used for preparing the masks has been made in the powerlooms installed in the jail itself," he said.
14:14 March 15
Railways start disinfecting Mumbai train coaches
According to the Central Railway (CR), all the coach fittings, including grab handles, door handles, door latches, entry doors, window grills, electric switches and other parts inside local trains as well as outstation trains are being cleaned using disinfectants.
"In order to ensure cleanliness and hygiene, especially in view of the Covid-19 advisory, special efforts are being put in during primary maintenance of coaches at the coaching depots of CR," an official statement said.
The CR officials said that they were also focusing on cleanliness of outstation trains.
An intensive cleaning and disinfection of toilets is also being ensured, they said.
14:14 March 15
Civic polls put off in AP
Elections to to rural and urban local bodies in Andhra Pradesh were put off indefinitely by the State Election Commission on Sunday in view of spread of coronavirus.
Elections to gram panchayats have been kept in abeyance for six weeks, State Election Commissioner N Ramesh Kumar said.
Taking due consideration of emerging challenges posted by coronavirus spread, the SEC is of the firm view that continuing with the election schedule may be detrimental and harmful to the public health at large," he told a press conference here.
14:12 March 15
KG, primary schools closed in TN till March 31
The Tamil Nadu government on Sunday directed closure of all kintergarden and primary schools till March 31 as it stepped up preventive measures against coronavirus.
Chief Minister K Palaniswami also issued order for closure of cinema halls and malls where people gather in large numbers till the month end in the taluks in 16 districts bordering neighbouring Kerala and Karnataka, where the number of COVID-19 cases is on the rise, an official release said.
In a series of measures, he also ordered released Rs 60 crore from the State Disaster relief fund to spruce up the preventive mechanism for containing the spread of the virus, which, however, has infected only one person in the state so far.
14:11 March 15
Don't conduct group tours till Mar 31: Cops to tour operators
Amid the coronavirus scare, the Mumbai Police on Sunday issued an order for tour operators, asking them not to take any groups to foreign or domestic destinations for tourism purpose till March 31, an official said.
Defying the order, which came into effect on Sunday, may attract action under IPC 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), the official said.
"To prevent further spread of COVID-19, we has issued an order prohibiting conduct of any kind of tour involving group of people, traveling together to a foreign or domestic destination organised by private tour operators. If found, the police take action against such groups under section 144 of
CrPC," Deputy Commissioner of Police Pranay Ashok said.
"This is a very specific order aimed at preventing danger to human life and safety. It should not be confused with the regular order issued under section 144 CrPC," he said.
13:22 March 15
Assam shuts schools, cancels exams till March 29
Assam Chief Secretary Sanjay Krishna said: "All school, colleges, universities, gyms, swimming pools and cinema halls will remain closed in the state till March 29. All examinations, except that of state and CBSE boards, have been postponed in view of coronavirus."
13:21 March 15
To prevent spread of COVIDー19, Mumbai Police has issued order prohibiting any tour involving group of people travelling together to a foreign/domestic destination organised by private tour operators or otherwise using powers u/s 144 CrPC. Order shall remain in force till 31st March.
12:57 March 15
218 evacuated from Italy sent to ITBP quarantine
A total of 218 Indians, mostly students, brought here from Italy on Sunday have been taken to an ITBP quarantine facility in south-west Delhi's Chhawla area, officials said.
The Air India flight from Milan landed around 9.45 am at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA).
Out of the total Indian nationals in this group, 211 are students.
"All the 218 evacuees from Milan are being taken to our quarantine facility in south west Delhi's Chhawla area. They will be there for over a fortnight as per quarantine procedures," an Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) spokesperson said.
The facility has earlier catered to two such batches of Indians and foreigners, evacuated from Wuhan in China, totalling 518 people.
12:56 March 15
SER opens 50-bed isolation ward in Ranchi railway hospital
The South Eastern Railway (SER) has opened a 50-bed isolation ward in the Ranchi rail division hospital in view of the novel coronavirus outbreak,
officials said on Sunday.
Apart from the 50-bed isolation ward, a 24/7 emergency team has also been deployed at the hospital, the SER said in a statement.
Cleaning workers of the SER are sanitising points of human contact such as doorknobs, washbasins and benches at major railway stations at regular intervals, it said.
There are 45 railway stations in the Ranchi railway division of the SER.
12:55 March 15
Karnataka govt postpones exams for classes VII to IX
The Karnataka government has announced postponement of annual examinations for classes seventh to ninth till March 31 as part of measures to prevent spread of coronavirus, which has claimed one life and affected five others in the state.
Revised exam dates will be declared later and the students would have study holidays till then, an Education department circular said here.
"As a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the annual examination of class seventh, eighth and ninth has been postponed till March 31," the Director of Public Instruction said in the circular on Saturday.
This was applicable to all schools, including private and unaided schools, it said.
12:48 March 15
Speaking to media, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said: "Delhi government along with central government are taking steps together to control outbreak of coronavirus."
"Coronavirus spreads from one individual to another individual. Please wash your hands with soap, " he added.
12:30 March 15
Total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across India is 107 (including foreign nationals as on 15th March at 12 PM) .
12:21 March 15
Karnataka Health Minister B Sriramulu visited the Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) in Kalaburgi on Sunday to inspect the isolation wards set up to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
The visit came even as the Central government announced the death of the 76-year-old man from Kalaburgi due to COVID-19.
12:10 March 15
Uttarakhand govt declares coronavirus an epidemic
The Uttarakhand government has declared novel coronavirus an epidemic and shut all multiplexes, cinema halls, degree colleges and technical institutes across the state till March 31, official sources said.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the state council of ministers here late on Saturday night.
However, medical colleges will remain open, they said.
Under the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897, the Centre has authorised state governments to take preventive measures to control the spread of coronavirus, state government spokesperson and Urban Development Minister Madan Kaushik said.
12:09 March 15
UK national tests positive for coronavirus; All 289 passengers offloaded at Kochi airport
At least 289 passengers of a Dubai-bound flight were offloaded at the airport here on Sunday shortly before takeoff after a UK national among them tested positive for novel coronavirus, official sources said here.
The passenger belonged to a group of 19 holidaying in the hill resort town of Munnar in Kerala and was under surveillance, a Cochin International Airport Limited spokesman said.
He joined the group to reach the Kochi airport without informing authorities in Munnar, he said.
When the test result came, the authorities came to know that he was at the Kochi airport and travelling by an Emirates flight. Firstly, it was decided to offload all 19 passengers of his group, he said.
"Now, it is decided to offload the remaining 270 pax also and send them to hospital for further investigation", the spokesman said.
12:07 March 15
MEA pulls out all stops to ensure safety of Indians abroad, sets up special cell
With the threat of coronavirus looming large, the Ministry of External Affairs has pulled out all the stops to ensure the safety of Indians abroad and set up a special cell to coordinate the issues related with the response to the pandemic that has claimed more than 5,000 lives worldwide.
Additional Secretary Dammu Ravi has been appointed as the point person for coordinating the response to COVID-19. He has four other officers and staff to support him, officials said.
"Our missions abroad are working round the clock and responding to queries from Indians nationals abroad. Missions have set up their helplines and are proactively responding to queries over phone and emails as well as using social media platforms to reach the Indian community members in these countries," an official said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla are personally monitoring the situation, they said.
12:07 March 15
One year jail for spreading rumours on coronavirus
Hyderabad Police have warned that those spreading false news and rumours on coronavirus may be jailed up to one year.
Hours after the state government announced shutdown to contain coronavirus, the police chief warned against rumours and false news.
Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar said false news and rumours are bad for society. He said those who are spreading false information on social media and creating panic on coronavirus were liable for punishment under the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Act section. Punishment under the Act can be up to one year imprisonment and fine, he said.
"Whoever makes or circulates a false alarm or warning as to disaster or its severity or magnitude, leading to panic, shall on conviction, be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to one year or with fine," says section 54 of the Act.
Announcing the closure of all educational institutions and banning public gatherings, Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao on Saturday night warned the media against publishing or airing unconfirmed reports about coronavirus cases.
He asked the media outlets to strictly go by the information released from the health department with regard to the coronavirus cases. "Those spreading false news will face stringent action," he said.
11:36 March 15
Malls closed in Nagpur following the state govt order.
11:20 March 15
Mumbai Police has issued an order prohibiting the conduct of any kind of tour involving a group of people traveling together to foreign or domestic destination organized by private tour operators or otherwise.
However, should anyone, including private tour operators, need to travel under exceptional circumstances, they may do so after seeking permission from the office of the Commissioner of Police, Greater Mumbai.
11:19 March 15
Andhra Pradesh Election Commissioner N Ramesh Kumar said: "We have decided to postpone the local body polls for six weeks in the wake of coronavirus spread. New dates will be announced once the spread of the virus is contained."
10:39 March 15
Union Minister of State for Health Ashwini Choubey said: "The govt has issued an advisory asking civil hospitals and medical colleges to set up isolation wards. We are trying our best to contain spread of coronavirus which has spread to 12 states."
10:38 March 15
Union Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan said: "218 Indians including 211 students from Milan landed in Delhi. All will be quarantined for 14 days. Govt is committed to reaching out to Indians in distress, wherever they are."
10:38 March 15
As a precautionary measure, state education minister S Suresh Kumar has instructed to postpone the examinations of 7th, 8th and 9th classes until 31st March 2020.
10:37 March 15
Kolkata's Indian Museum shut till March 31
Three prime tourist attractions of the city - Indian Museum, Science City and Birla Industrial and Technology Museum - would remain shut for visitors from Sunday till March 31 as a precautionary measure to prevent spread of coronavirus, officials said on Saturday.
The Indian Museum's trustee board at a meeting decided to close the iconic building and its premises to the visitors. The decision was taken as a large number of visitors from India as well as abroad come to see the exhibits, said an official.
10:34 March 15
Substandard sanitisers seized in Pune, three held
Three persons were arrested on Saturday for allegedly selling substandard sanitisers.
Police seized substandard sanitisers worth Rs 1.02 lakh and also confiscated product containers, empty bottles, caps, and labels from the possession of the accused.
The accused have been identified as Ajay Gandhi, Mohan Chaudhary and Suresh Chheda.
The three were arrested following the guidance of additional commissioner (crime) Ashok Morale and DCP (crime ) Bachchan Singh to prevent black marketing of substandard sanitisers in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.
A case has been registered against the three under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Essential Commodities Act.
10:32 March 15
No morning assembly in schools, colleges in Assam
As a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus, no morning assembly in schools, colleges and higher educational institutions, the Assam government said.
"There shall not be any form of morning assembly in the schools/colleges/higher educational institutions. No exhibitions shall be organised in the schools/colleges/higher educational institutions," Commissioner and Secretary to Government of Assam, Education Department said.
The Assam Chief Minister's Office stated that Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday took a detailed review of the situation emanated in the wake of coronavirus crisis across many countries and its fallout in India with special focus on measures deployed at the state's airports to screen passengers.
10:30 March 15
Man held in Odisha for posting fake news on coronavirus
A man has been arrested on charges of posting fake news on social media on coronavirus in Rayagada, police said on Saturday.
The man was identified as Satyanarayan Samal (32).
"The accused had posted on Facebook that a person infected with coronavirus was admitted to a district hospital which turned out to be fake," police said.
The accused has been booked under Sections 153A, 504, 507 and 505 (1) (b).
09:54 March 15
Number of coronavirus cases rises to 93 in India
The number of coronavirus cases in India has risen to 93, informed Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday.
So far, two deaths due to the lethal infection have been reported in the country.
In the wake of spurt in cases of the COVID-19 across the country, the Central Government on Saturday decided to treat the deadly virus as a "notified disaster".
The coronavirus, which originated in China's Wuhan city in December last year, has so far spread to more than 100 countries, infecting over 1,20,000 people.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared coronavirus a pandemic and Europe as its epicentre with more reported cases and deaths than the rest of the world combined, apart from China.
09:48 March 15
Delhi Police has extended quarantine facilities at two of its training centres, located at Jharoda Kalan and Wazirabad.
09:39 March 15
Mumbai Blue Star Air Travel Services director Madhav Oza said: "We began seeing negative impact of coronavirus in last week of January when customers started cancelling flight bookings for China. In February, we saw about 35% fall in international bookings compared to Feb 2019."
"In first week of March, we witnessed 50% reduction in international flight bookings & drop in domestic flight bookings also began. In second week of March, we saw a reduction of 75% in international flight bookings," he added.
09:30 March 15
In wake of the COVID-19 India outbreak, as a precautionary measure to contain and control the spread of the disease, the travel and registration for Sri Kartarpur Sahib is temporarily suspended from 12 am March 16, 2020, till further orders.
09:29 March 15
Roman Catholic Church has issued advisory urging those who have come in contact with Coronavirus patients to not attend public functions, including prayers. Church also urged priests to purify their hands with water or sanitiser before distribution of Holy Communion.
09:21 March 15
Medical store in Kerala sells face masks for Rs 2
At a time when many pharmacies are charging exorbitant prices for the face masks and hand sanitisers in the backdrop of high demand due to the coronavirus pandemic, a surgical shop owner here is selling masks just for Rs 2.
The supplies of masks and sanitisers have been limited and are being sold at higher prices than normal due to inflated demand following a surge in COVID-19 cases in the country.
However, the surgical store in Kerala has decided to stick to the original costing and has so far sold over 5000 masks in the last two days.
Nadheem, the co-owner of a surgical shop in Kochi, told media: "We have sold around 5000 masks at Rs 2 each in two days. We decided to sell masks at a reasonable price especially to the common people like hospital staff and students."
Thasleem PK, co-owner of Cochin Surgicals, said: "We have been selling masks at Rs 2 for the last 8 years. But now, the rate has gone up everywhere. We bought the masks at Rs 8 or Rs 10 and are selling at Rs 2, while others are selling at Rs 25."
07:37 March 15
Jaisalmer: Two Air India flights carrying over 230 Indians from coronavirus-hit Iran landed here on Sunday morning and the passengers have been quarantined at the Indian Army Wellness Centre at Jaisalmer.
While External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that a total of 234 Indians have been evacuated from Iran, defence spokesperson Col Sombit Ghosh said, "236 persons have landed in Jaisalmer by two Air India flights this morning."
Jaishankar said the batch comprises 131 students and 103 pilgrims.
"234 Indians stranded in Iran have arrived in India; including 131 students and 103 pilgrims.Thank you Ambassador Dhamu Gaddam and @India_in_Iran team for your efforts. Thank Iranian authorities," Jaishankar tweeted.
"They are being quarantined at the Indian Army Wellness Centre at Jaisalmer," Col Ghosh said.
The centre is fully equipped and a functional facility to help Indian citizens undertake the mandatory quarantine period under the supervision of skilled medical authorities.
Soldiers have volunteered to provide care and support to the countrymen returning from overseas, he said.
The Army Wellness Centre is working in synergy with the Civil Administration, Airport authorities and Air Force to ensure proper care is provided to the evacuated citizens.
This is the third batch of Indians evacuated from Iran.
A second batch of 44 Indian pilgrims had arrived from Iran on Friday.The first batch of 58 Indian pilgrims were brought back from Iran on Tuesday.
Iran is one of the worst-affected countries by the coronavirus outbreak and the government has been working on plans to bring back Indians stranded there.
Also Read: covid-19-centre-restricts-passenger-movement-through-immigration-checkposts
Last Updated : Mar 18, 2020, 3:59 PM IST
