Coronavirus India LIVE Updates: 22 trains left, 20 more to ferry migrants home today, says Indian railways.
Coronavirus (Covid-19) Tracker India LIVE News Updates: With 111 new deaths since Tuesday evening, the death toll due to the coronavirus pandemic rose to 1,694 on Wednesday while the total number of cases soared to 49,391 including the 14,182 people who have been treated and discharged
Updates: With 111 new deaths since Tuesday evening, the death toll due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic rose to 1,694 on Wednesday while the total number of cases soared to 49,391 including the 14,182 people who have been treated and discharged so far. As many as 2,680 new infections have been reported since last evening.
In the highest single-day surge so far, 3,875 new cases and 194 deaths were reported across the country on Tuesday. While the third phase of the nationwide lockdown is scheduled to end on May 17, Telangana has become the first state to extend it until May 29.
Meanwhile, the government hiked excise duty on petrol and diesel to shore up revenues as demand remains subdued due to the lockdown. Starting Thursday, India will operate 64 flights until May 13 and use three Navy ships, as part of Phase I of an evacuation plan, to bring home nearly 15,000 Indians stranded overseas. For Kerala, this poses a new challenge given the large number of expatriates returning home. The state, which reported India’s first coronavirus case, has so far managed to flatten the curve, having recorded only 37 active cases and 462 recoveries, according to latest figures.
Globally, 257,277 people have died and a total of 3,663,824 confirmed cases have been reported so far with the United States crossing the 70,000-mark in the death toll, followed by the United Kingdom at 29,501, Italy at 29,315, Spain at 25,613 and France at 25,537. As many as 1,199,254 people have recovered globally. With scientists worldwide working on a vaccine, Israel’s Defence Minister Naftali Bennett has said the country’s main biological research institute has made a “significant breakthrough” in developing an antibody to the novel coronavirus.
LIVE BLOG
Coronavirus (Covid-19) Tracker India LIVE News Updates: Death toll rises to 1,694, infections cross 49,000-mark; Mumbai has withdrawn relaxations, and disallowed sale of liquor in the city. Over 40 days into lockdown, the government has announced a hike in excise duty on petrol and diesel to shore up revenues.
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13:24 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
42 more trains planned to ferry migrants home across India: Indian Railways
The Indian Railways says that 20 more trains are planned to start today to ferry migrants to their home state. "As per the information received yesterday, we had run 38 Shramik Special Trains. Today 42 more trains planned. Till 1300 hrs today, we had run 22 trains making total tally till now to 115 trains. 20 more trains are planned to start today," the Railways said.
13:13 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
States are facing dire economic crisis: Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot put forward a demand for an extensive stimulus package. He said states have repeatedly requested the prime minister for a package, “but we are yet to hear from the government of India”. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said, “States are facing dire economic crisis. They need to be provided immediate assistance.” He said Chattisgarh is one state where 80 per cent of Small Industries have restarted and nearly 85,000 workers have returned to work.
13:12 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
Centre ‘sitting in Delhi and deciding on classification of zones without knowing what’s happening on the ground: Amarinder Singh
During the meeting, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh slammed the Centre for ‘sitting in Delhi and deciding on classification of zones without knowing what’s happening on the ground.’ He also said that he has set up two committees, one to strategise on how to come out of the lockdown and the other on economic revival.
13:10 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
CM's need to ask about govt's strategy to get the country out of lockdown: Manmohan Singh
Former prime minister Manmohan Singh, who was also present at the meeting, said, “We need to know, as Soniaji said, what will happen after lockdown 3.0?”. “Soniaji has already pointed out. CM’s need to deliberate and ask as to what is the strategy of the government of India to get the country out of lockdown,” Singh asked.
13:08 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
‘What after May 17?’: Congress asks govt to reveal lockdown exit strategy
The Congress party on Wednesday questioned the Centre over the criteria it adopted to judge how long the COVID-19-induced lockdown will continue and also asked to reveal the steps that will be taken after the curbs are lifted. Addressing a meeting of chief ministers of states where Congress is in power, party president Sonia Gandhi asked: “what after May 17?.” “After May 17th, What? and After May 17th, How?…what criteria is GoI (government of India) using to judge how long the lockdown is to continue…,” Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala quoted Sonia Gandhi as saying in the video conference with CMs.
12:22 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
Lockdown pulls India's service sector activity to standstill in Apr; PMI hits record low
India's service sector activity plummeted to a historic low in April, as strict restrictions on the movement of citizens and business shutdowns led the sector to a complete standstill, a monthly survey said on Wednesday. The IHS Markit India Services Business Activity Index stood at 5.4 in April, an extreme decline from 49.3 in March, and indicative of the most severe contraction in services output since records began in December 2005. As per the IHS Markit India Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), a print above 50 means expansion, while a score below that denotes contraction.
12:22 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
Domestic manufacturers can produce 2.5 lakh PPE, 2 lakh N-95 masks per day, GoM informed
Domestic manufacturers have reached the capacity of producing nearly 2.5 lakh PPE and 2 lakh N-95 masks per day which is sufficient to meet the country's requirement in dealing with the novel coronavirus pandemic in the near future, the Group of Ministers (GoM) on COVID-19 has been informed. The GoM, which held its 14th meeting under the chairmanship of Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Tuesday, discussed various aspects pertaining to the ?performance, impact and benefits of the Aarogya Setu application. It also highlighted the need for ensuring stringent measures for quality control of personal protection equipment (PPE), masks, ventilators among others.
12:20 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
Special train carrying 1,200 migrant workers leaves from Panvel
A Shramik Special train carrying nearly 1,200 migrant workers left from neighbouring Navi Mumbai for Rewa in Madhya Pradesh in the wee hours of Wednesday, the Central Railway said. The train left from Panvel station of Navi Mumbai at 12.45 am, carrying passengers "registered and nominated by the state government", the Central Railway (CR) informed on its Twitter handle. Nearly 1,200 migrants boarded the 24-coach special train while maintaining the physical distancing norms, a CR spokesperson said. On Tuesday night, the Central Railway operated two Shramik Special trains from Kalyan junction in neighbouring Thane district.
12:19 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
UN chief: Disabled among hardest hit by virus
The United Nations chief says the world’s one billion people with disabilities are among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a video and report Wednesday that the coronavirus crisis is revealing the extent of exclusion that the most marginalized members of society experience.
12:16 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
Here are some top coronavirus global news which you should not miss today
The coronavirus-induced fatalities has reached 257,000 Wednesday globally and the number of infections stood at 3,663,824. Several countries around the world saw a spike in cases as they seek ways to reopen their economies and ease lockdown restrictions. Britain on Tuesday became the first country in Europe to touch 30,000 Covid-19 deaths and surpassed France to become the world’s fourth worst affected country. Infections rose sharply again in Russia. China and South Korea each reported only two new cases.
# Australia seeks to re-start economy by July: As Australia is starting to lift curbs ad ease restrictions, the government is seeking ways to reopen businesses as soon as July. Prime Minister Scott Morrison will discuss health protocols at the National Cabinet meeting Friday that could enable businesses to open in a “COVID-safe environment”, with the government saying the shutdown was costing the economy A$4 billion ($2.6 billion) a week.
# Colombia extends lockdown till 25 May: Colombia’s mandatory quarantine will be extended for another two weeks with some sectors being allowed to restart their work, President Ivan Duque said Tuesday. “Between May 11 and May 25 we will extend the obligatory preventative isolation but recover space for productive life,” Duque said.
# UK launches trade talks with the US: The United States and Britain launched formal negotiations on a free trade agreement Tuesday, aiming to work quickly to seal a deal that could counter the economic fallout of the pandemic. The talks will be conducted virtually and will involve over 300 UK and US staff and officials in nearly 30 negotiating groups.
# Disney to reopen its park in Shanghai: Disney Tuesday said that it would reopen Shanghai Disneyland to a reduced number of visitors on May 11 after reporting profit cuts by $1.4 billion due to the coronavirus pandemic and closed theme parks around the world. The park would enforce strict social distancing measures on rides and in restaurants.
12:11 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
US mulls winding down Covid-19 task force despite over 71,000 deaths, 12 lakh positive cases
President Donald Trump speaks to employees after tour of a Honeywell International plant that manufactures personal protective equipment, Tuesday, May 5, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Despite over 71,000 deaths and 12 lakh positive coronavirus cases in the country, the Donald Trump administration is mulling winding down the White House Task Force on Covid-19 and delegating its responsibilities in a phased manner to the relevant federal agencies. There has, however, been a sharp decline in the number of new cases and deaths in the US in the last one week, as per Johns Hopkins University, which perhaps prompted Trump to say that the country has been able to flatten the curve. And with this decline, quite a few states have started to open up.
12:08 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
Hiring dips by 62% in April, entry-level job seekers worst hit: Survey
Hiring across India has declined by 62 per cent in April 2020 as compared to last year. The worst-hit are the hotel, restaurant, travel, airlines with a decline of over 91 per cent followed by auto or ancillary, retail, and accounting and finance, according to the latest report by Naukri.com – a job site. Even with a decline of 51 per cent in hiring the IT-software industry was among the least affected industries followed by BPO/ITES/KPO, pharma, biotech, healthcare, and teaching and education industry, as per the report.
12:03 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
Mumbai: Waiting for heart surgery, 15-year-old from Jharkhand dies
For 14 hours, 15-year-old Firdos’s body lay under a red bedsheet in a tiny paint workshop in Bandra’s Bharat Nagar slums as his father Kasim Ansari ran from doctors and civic officials to the police and ambulance owners for documents to travel 1,900 km back home to Giridih, Jharkhand, where his teenage son will be buried. Read More
12:02 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
Explained: How Covid has flattened prices, shifted demand curve for agri-commodities
Lower production, yet lower demand, leading to fall in prices. (Express Archive)
While there is debate on how much the lockdown has helped in “flattening the Covid-19 curve”, one thing is clear: It has led to a flattening of prices through a “leftward shift in the demand curve”. The best way to illustrate this is through two agricultural commodities — potato and milk — that were experiencing significant production shortfalls. In ordinary circumstances, it would have resulted in prices shooting up at this time. Instead, they have remained flat or even collapsed, thanks to the demand destruction from lockdown. READ MORE
11:56 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
In Srinagar, a plan for every pregnant woman, with a gift pack
As part of the administration’s outreach, pregnant women have been getting gift kits. (Express Photo by Naveed Iqbal)
Anganwadi worker Heena Shafi hands a pregnant woman two packets. One, for the 21-year-old expectant mother carries a hot water bag, towels, a set of comfortable nightwear and slippers. The other is for the baby — a soft, furry pink blanket, wipes, diapers, clothes, soap and few other essentials.
At the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) office at the Old Secretariat in Srinagar, Heena is part of an all-woman team of anganwadi workers who have been reaching out to pregnant women amidst the nationwide lockdown.
Kashmir has so far recorded 678 Covid cases and seven deaths, and the ICDS team in Srinagar and the administration are taking no chances.
11:49 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
In Dehradun, migrants line up to open post office a/c for Bihar’s Rs 1,000 scheme
Shobha Devi waits outside Dehradun GPO. (Photo: Lalmani Verma)
Shobha Devi, Token Number 72, took her spot inside one of the white squares outside the General Post Office (GPO) near Ghantaghar in Dehradun. Her husband Rajkumar Pasnath queued at another post office, the Saharanpur Chowk, around 3 km away. The couple are among several people, mostly from Bihar, who have been queueing up over the last few days outside post offices in Uttarakhand to open accounts to avail of the Bihar government’s Rs-1,000 cash transfer scheme. The Bihar government had announced the scheme for migrants from the state stranded across the country.
11:43 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
Explained: Why are MSMEs worst hit?
The Covid-19 pandemic has left its impact on all sectors of the economy but nowhere is the hurt as much as the Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs) of India. All anecdotal evidence available, such as the hundreds of thousands of stranded migrant workers across the country, suggests that MSMEs have been the worst casualty of Covid-19 induced lockdown. It has also been reported that just like the first relief package, called the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana, which was announced by the government on March 26, the second package, too, would primarily focus on the MSME sector. Here's a closer look at the anatomy of the MSME sector explains why MSMEs are so vulnerable to economic stress.
11:12 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
Punjab orders opening of liquor vends, with a provision for home delivery, from May 7
Punjab government has ordered the opening of liquor vends in the state from Thursday with a provision to deliver liquor at the doorstep of residents. The vends would be opened only during the relaxation hours amid curfew. In an order issued by the government Tuesday evening, not more than two litres of liquor would be allowed to be delivered to a single buyer. Only two persons in a group of contractors would be allowed to deliver the wine at home. The delivery boys will require a curfew pass, ID proof and the vehicle used for delivery would also require permission from the district authorities. --reports Kanchan Vasdev
11:07 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
Just In | First suspected COVID-19 causality reported in Delhi Police
First suspected COVID-19 causality reported in Delhi Police. A 31-year-old constable, posted with North-West district, died on Tuesday evening in RML hospital. He tested positive when he was examined in Deep Chand Bandhu hospital after he complained of fever and cough. He again complained on Tuesday evening that he was feeling unwell, and was rushed to RML hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. His COVID test reports are awaited. Cops working with him have been asked to go for home quarantine.
10:59 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
What is the state-wise death toll and infections
On Tuesday, Gujarat crossed the 6000-figure mark, while Delhi reached 5000 and Madhya Pradesh 3000. Incidentally, Gujarat reported 49 deaths on Tuesday, the most that any state has done on any single day till now. Thirty nine of those deaths happened in Ahmedabad, which too is the highest single-day number for any city. On its worst day, Maharashtra had reported 37 deaths, while Mumbai had 27 on one day.
State
Total Cases
New Cases
Total Deaths
Maharashtra
15525
984
617
Gujarat
6245
441
368
Delhi
5104
206
64
Tamil Nadu
4058
508
33
Rajasthan
3095
97
89
Madhya Pradesh
3049
107
176
Uttar Pradesh
2880
114
56
Andhra Pradesh
1717
67
34
Punjab
1451
219
25
West Bengal
1344
85
140
Coronavirus India LIVE updates: Vendors donning PPE kits selling essential items from the other side of the barricades to residents of containment zone at Bapu Dham in Chandigarh.
Coronavirus India LIVE News Updates:
THE GOVERNMENT Tuesday announced a Rs 13 a litre hike in excise duty on diesel and a Rs 10 a litre hike in excise duty on petrol in an attempt to shore up revenues as demand remains subdued due to the lockdown. Finance Ministry officials said the hike in excise duty, which comes into effect Wednesday, will not result in an increase in retail prices for the consumers.
This is the second hike in excise duty on fuel in two months by the Centre and comes after a hike in value added tax by several states over the last few days. A government notification said the special excise duty on petrol was hiked by Rs 2 a litre to Rs 12 a litre and by Rs 5 a litre to Rs 9 a litre for diesel. Road cess on both petrol and diesel has also been increased by Rs 8 a litre to Rs 18 a litre.
A man waiting outside to open grocery shop in Kolkata (Express Photo Shashi Ghosh)
The government had on March 14 hiked the excise duty, and road and infrastructure cess by Rs 3 a litre each for both petrol and diesel. Government sources said the revenue generated from these duties would be used for infrastructure and other developmental expenditure.
The government has also suspended all visas granted to foreign nationals, barring a few categories, till flight operations remain shut owing to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
All existing visas granted to foreigners — except those belonging to diplomatic, official, UN international organisations, employment and project categories — shall remain suspended till prohibition on international air travel of passengers from and to India is lifted by the government, an order by the Ministry of Home Affairs read.
With the eased lockdown in Mumbai leading to huge crowds and compromised social distancing,Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner Praveen Pardeshi issued an order Tuesday, withdrawing relaxations for Mumbai and disallowing sale of liquor in the city. The order allowed only shops selling essential goods to operate.
"A one-size-fits-all approach to the coronavirus pandemic is likely to increase inequalities in the long term."
“… It has been observed that the number of positive cases in the city of Mumbai have been rising and the downward trend is yet to set in and gathering of crowds in large numbers without following social distancing will be detrimental to the control of spread of virus and the advantage of the lockdown will be lost due to gathering of people in large numbers,” the order said.
Meanwhile, researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School said in the Lancet that a one-size-fits-all approach to the coronavirus pandemic is likely to increase inequalities in the long term, so countries with less resources must let people get on with their lives — to work, earn money and put food on the table.
© IE AOne Media Services Pvt Ltd
TAGS: Coronavirus COVID-19 Delhi Gujarat India Lockdown Maharashtra Telangana World Health Organisation
Updates: With 111 new deaths since Tuesday evening, the death toll due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic rose to 1,694 on Wednesday while the total number of cases soared to 49,391 including the 14,182 people who have been treated and discharged so far. As many as 2,680 new infections have been reported since last evening.
In the highest single-day surge so far, 3,875 new cases and 194 deaths were reported across the country on Tuesday. While the third phase of the nationwide lockdown is scheduled to end on May 17, Telangana has become the first state to extend it until May 29.
Meanwhile, the government hiked excise duty on petrol and diesel to shore up revenues as demand remains subdued due to the lockdown. Starting Thursday, India will operate 64 flights until May 13 and use three Navy ships, as part of Phase I of an evacuation plan, to bring home nearly 15,000 Indians stranded overseas. For Kerala, this poses a new challenge given the large number of expatriates returning home. The state, which reported India’s first coronavirus case, has so far managed to flatten the curve, having recorded only 37 active cases and 462 recoveries, according to latest figures.
Globally, 257,277 people have died and a total of 3,663,824 confirmed cases have been reported so far with the United States crossing the 70,000-mark in the death toll, followed by the United Kingdom at 29,501, Italy at 29,315, Spain at 25,613 and France at 25,537. As many as 1,199,254 people have recovered globally. With scientists worldwide working on a vaccine, Israel’s Defence Minister Naftali Bennett has said the country’s main biological research institute has made a “significant breakthrough” in developing an antibody to the novel coronavirus.
LIVE BLOG
Coronavirus (Covid-19) Tracker India LIVE News Updates: Death toll rises to 1,694, infections cross 49,000-mark; Mumbai has withdrawn relaxations, and disallowed sale of liquor in the city. Over 40 days into lockdown, the government has announced a hike in excise duty on petrol and diesel to shore up revenues.
13:24 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
42 more trains planned to ferry migrants home across India: Indian Railways
The Indian Railways says that 20 more trains are planned to start today to ferry migrants to their home state. "As per the information received yesterday, we had run 38 Shramik Special Trains. Today 42 more trains planned. Till 1300 hrs today, we had run 22 trains making total tally till now to 115 trains. 20 more trains are planned to start today," the Railways said.
13:13 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
States are facing dire economic crisis: Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot put forward a demand for an extensive stimulus package. He said states have repeatedly requested the prime minister for a package, “but we are yet to hear from the government of India”. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said, “States are facing dire economic crisis. They need to be provided immediate assistance.” He said Chattisgarh is one state where 80 per cent of Small Industries have restarted and nearly 85,000 workers have returned to work.
13:12 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
Centre ‘sitting in Delhi and deciding on classification of zones without knowing what’s happening on the ground: Amarinder Singh
During the meeting, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh slammed the Centre for ‘sitting in Delhi and deciding on classification of zones without knowing what’s happening on the ground.’ He also said that he has set up two committees, one to strategise on how to come out of the lockdown and the other on economic revival.
13:10 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
CM's need to ask about govt's strategy to get the country out of lockdown: Manmohan Singh
Former prime minister Manmohan Singh, who was also present at the meeting, said, “We need to know, as Soniaji said, what will happen after lockdown 3.0?”. “Soniaji has already pointed out. CM’s need to deliberate and ask as to what is the strategy of the government of India to get the country out of lockdown,” Singh asked.
13:08 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
‘What after May 17?’: Congress asks govt to reveal lockdown exit strategy
The Congress party on Wednesday questioned the Centre over the criteria it adopted to judge how long the COVID-19-induced lockdown will continue and also asked to reveal the steps that will be taken after the curbs are lifted. Addressing a meeting of chief ministers of states where Congress is in power, party president Sonia Gandhi asked: “what after May 17?.” “After May 17th, What? and After May 17th, How?…what criteria is GoI (government of India) using to judge how long the lockdown is to continue…,” Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala quoted Sonia Gandhi as saying in the video conference with CMs.
12:22 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
Lockdown pulls India's service sector activity to standstill in Apr; PMI hits record low
India's service sector activity plummeted to a historic low in April, as strict restrictions on the movement of citizens and business shutdowns led the sector to a complete standstill, a monthly survey said on Wednesday. The IHS Markit India Services Business Activity Index stood at 5.4 in April, an extreme decline from 49.3 in March, and indicative of the most severe contraction in services output since records began in December 2005. As per the IHS Markit India Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), a print above 50 means expansion, while a score below that denotes contraction.
12:22 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
Domestic manufacturers can produce 2.5 lakh PPE, 2 lakh N-95 masks per day, GoM informed
Domestic manufacturers have reached the capacity of producing nearly 2.5 lakh PPE and 2 lakh N-95 masks per day which is sufficient to meet the country's requirement in dealing with the novel coronavirus pandemic in the near future, the Group of Ministers (GoM) on COVID-19 has been informed. The GoM, which held its 14th meeting under the chairmanship of Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Tuesday, discussed various aspects pertaining to the ?performance, impact and benefits of the Aarogya Setu application. It also highlighted the need for ensuring stringent measures for quality control of personal protection equipment (PPE), masks, ventilators among others.
12:20 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
Special train carrying 1,200 migrant workers leaves from Panvel
A Shramik Special train carrying nearly 1,200 migrant workers left from neighbouring Navi Mumbai for Rewa in Madhya Pradesh in the wee hours of Wednesday, the Central Railway said. The train left from Panvel station of Navi Mumbai at 12.45 am, carrying passengers "registered and nominated by the state government", the Central Railway (CR) informed on its Twitter handle. Nearly 1,200 migrants boarded the 24-coach special train while maintaining the physical distancing norms, a CR spokesperson said. On Tuesday night, the Central Railway operated two Shramik Special trains from Kalyan junction in neighbouring Thane district.
12:19 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
UN chief: Disabled among hardest hit by virus
The United Nations chief says the world’s one billion people with disabilities are among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a video and report Wednesday that the coronavirus crisis is revealing the extent of exclusion that the most marginalized members of society experience.
12:16 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
Here are some top coronavirus global news which you should not miss today
The coronavirus-induced fatalities has reached 257,000 Wednesday globally and the number of infections stood at 3,663,824. Several countries around the world saw a spike in cases as they seek ways to reopen their economies and ease lockdown restrictions. Britain on Tuesday became the first country in Europe to touch 30,000 Covid-19 deaths and surpassed France to become the world’s fourth worst affected country. Infections rose sharply again in Russia. China and South Korea each reported only two new cases.
# Australia seeks to re-start economy by July: As Australia is starting to lift curbs ad ease restrictions, the government is seeking ways to reopen businesses as soon as July. Prime Minister Scott Morrison will discuss health protocols at the National Cabinet meeting Friday that could enable businesses to open in a “COVID-safe environment”, with the government saying the shutdown was costing the economy A$4 billion ($2.6 billion) a week.
# Colombia extends lockdown till 25 May: Colombia’s mandatory quarantine will be extended for another two weeks with some sectors being allowed to restart their work, President Ivan Duque said Tuesday. “Between May 11 and May 25 we will extend the obligatory preventative isolation but recover space for productive life,” Duque said.
# UK launches trade talks with the US: The United States and Britain launched formal negotiations on a free trade agreement Tuesday, aiming to work quickly to seal a deal that could counter the economic fallout of the pandemic. The talks will be conducted virtually and will involve over 300 UK and US staff and officials in nearly 30 negotiating groups.
# Disney to reopen its park in Shanghai: Disney Tuesday said that it would reopen Shanghai Disneyland to a reduced number of visitors on May 11 after reporting profit cuts by $1.4 billion due to the coronavirus pandemic and closed theme parks around the world. The park would enforce strict social distancing measures on rides and in restaurants.
12:11 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
US mulls winding down Covid-19 task force despite over 71,000 deaths, 12 lakh positive cases
President Donald Trump speaks to employees after tour of a Honeywell International plant that manufactures personal protective equipment, Tuesday, May 5, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Despite over 71,000 deaths and 12 lakh positive coronavirus cases in the country, the Donald Trump administration is mulling winding down the White House Task Force on Covid-19 and delegating its responsibilities in a phased manner to the relevant federal agencies. There has, however, been a sharp decline in the number of new cases and deaths in the US in the last one week, as per Johns Hopkins University, which perhaps prompted Trump to say that the country has been able to flatten the curve. And with this decline, quite a few states have started to open up.
12:08 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
Hiring dips by 62% in April, entry-level job seekers worst hit: Survey
Hiring across India has declined by 62 per cent in April 2020 as compared to last year. The worst-hit are the hotel, restaurant, travel, airlines with a decline of over 91 per cent followed by auto or ancillary, retail, and accounting and finance, according to the latest report by Naukri.com – a job site. Even with a decline of 51 per cent in hiring the IT-software industry was among the least affected industries followed by BPO/ITES/KPO, pharma, biotech, healthcare, and teaching and education industry, as per the report.
12:03 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
Mumbai: Waiting for heart surgery, 15-year-old from Jharkhand dies
For 14 hours, 15-year-old Firdos’s body lay under a red bedsheet in a tiny paint workshop in Bandra’s Bharat Nagar slums as his father Kasim Ansari ran from doctors and civic officials to the police and ambulance owners for documents to travel 1,900 km back home to Giridih, Jharkhand, where his teenage son will be buried. Read More
12:02 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
Explained: How Covid has flattened prices, shifted demand curve for agri-commodities
Lower production, yet lower demand, leading to fall in prices. (Express Archive)
While there is debate on how much the lockdown has helped in “flattening the Covid-19 curve”, one thing is clear: It has led to a flattening of prices through a “leftward shift in the demand curve”. The best way to illustrate this is through two agricultural commodities — potato and milk — that were experiencing significant production shortfalls. In ordinary circumstances, it would have resulted in prices shooting up at this time. Instead, they have remained flat or even collapsed, thanks to the demand destruction from lockdown. READ MORE
11:56 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
In Srinagar, a plan for every pregnant woman, with a gift pack
As part of the administration’s outreach, pregnant women have been getting gift kits. (Express Photo by Naveed Iqbal)
Anganwadi worker Heena Shafi hands a pregnant woman two packets. One, for the 21-year-old expectant mother carries a hot water bag, towels, a set of comfortable nightwear and slippers. The other is for the baby — a soft, furry pink blanket, wipes, diapers, clothes, soap and few other essentials.
At the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) office at the Old Secretariat in Srinagar, Heena is part of an all-woman team of anganwadi workers who have been reaching out to pregnant women amidst the nationwide lockdown.
Kashmir has so far recorded 678 Covid cases and seven deaths, and the ICDS team in Srinagar and the administration are taking no chances.
11:49 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
In Dehradun, migrants line up to open post office a/c for Bihar’s Rs 1,000 scheme
Shobha Devi waits outside Dehradun GPO. (Photo: Lalmani Verma)
Shobha Devi, Token Number 72, took her spot inside one of the white squares outside the General Post Office (GPO) near Ghantaghar in Dehradun. Her husband Rajkumar Pasnath queued at another post office, the Saharanpur Chowk, around 3 km away. The couple are among several people, mostly from Bihar, who have been queueing up over the last few days outside post offices in Uttarakhand to open accounts to avail of the Bihar government’s Rs-1,000 cash transfer scheme. The Bihar government had announced the scheme for migrants from the state stranded across the country.
11:43 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
Explained: Why are MSMEs worst hit?
The Covid-19 pandemic has left its impact on all sectors of the economy but nowhere is the hurt as much as the Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs) of India. All anecdotal evidence available, such as the hundreds of thousands of stranded migrant workers across the country, suggests that MSMEs have been the worst casualty of Covid-19 induced lockdown. It has also been reported that just like the first relief package, called the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana, which was announced by the government on March 26, the second package, too, would primarily focus on the MSME sector. Here's a closer look at the anatomy of the MSME sector explains why MSMEs are so vulnerable to economic stress.
11:12 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
Punjab orders opening of liquor vends, with a provision for home delivery, from May 7
Punjab government has ordered the opening of liquor vends in the state from Thursday with a provision to deliver liquor at the doorstep of residents. The vends would be opened only during the relaxation hours amid curfew. In an order issued by the government Tuesday evening, not more than two litres of liquor would be allowed to be delivered to a single buyer. Only two persons in a group of contractors would be allowed to deliver the wine at home. The delivery boys will require a curfew pass, ID proof and the vehicle used for delivery would also require permission from the district authorities. --reports Kanchan Vasdev
11:07 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
Just In | First suspected COVID-19 causality reported in Delhi Police
First suspected COVID-19 causality reported in Delhi Police. A 31-year-old constable, posted with North-West district, died on Tuesday evening in RML hospital. He tested positive when he was examined in Deep Chand Bandhu hospital after he complained of fever and cough. He again complained on Tuesday evening that he was feeling unwell, and was rushed to RML hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. His COVID test reports are awaited. Cops working with him have been asked to go for home quarantine.
10:59 (IST)
06 MAY 2020
What is the state-wise death toll and infections
On Tuesday, Gujarat crossed the 6000-figure mark, while Delhi reached 5000 and Madhya Pradesh 3000. Incidentally, Gujarat reported 49 deaths on Tuesday, the most that any state has done on any single day till now. Thirty nine of those deaths happened in Ahmedabad, which too is the highest single-day number for any city. On its worst day, Maharashtra had reported 37 deaths, while Mumbai had 27 on one day.
State
Total Cases
New Cases
Total Deaths
Maharashtra
15525
984
617
Gujarat
6245
441
368
Delhi
5104
206
64
Tamil Nadu
4058
508
33
Rajasthan
3095
97
89
Madhya Pradesh
3049
107
176
Uttar Pradesh
2880
114
56
Andhra Pradesh
1717
67
34
Punjab
1451
219
25
West Bengal
1344
85
140
Coronavirus India LIVE updates: Vendors donning PPE kits selling essential items from the other side of the barricades to residents of containment zone at Bapu Dham in Chandigarh.
Coronavirus India LIVE News Updates:
THE GOVERNMENT Tuesday announced a Rs 13 a litre hike in excise duty on diesel and a Rs 10 a litre hike in excise duty on petrol in an attempt to shore up revenues as demand remains subdued due to the lockdown. Finance Ministry officials said the hike in excise duty, which comes into effect Wednesday, will not result in an increase in retail prices for the consumers.
This is the second hike in excise duty on fuel in two months by the Centre and comes after a hike in value added tax by several states over the last few days. A government notification said the special excise duty on petrol was hiked by Rs 2 a litre to Rs 12 a litre and by Rs 5 a litre to Rs 9 a litre for diesel. Road cess on both petrol and diesel has also been increased by Rs 8 a litre to Rs 18 a litre.
A man waiting outside to open grocery shop in Kolkata (Express Photo Shashi Ghosh)
The government had on March 14 hiked the excise duty, and road and infrastructure cess by Rs 3 a litre each for both petrol and diesel. Government sources said the revenue generated from these duties would be used for infrastructure and other developmental expenditure.
The government has also suspended all visas granted to foreign nationals, barring a few categories, till flight operations remain shut owing to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
All existing visas granted to foreigners — except those belonging to diplomatic, official, UN international organisations, employment and project categories — shall remain suspended till prohibition on international air travel of passengers from and to India is lifted by the government, an order by the Ministry of Home Affairs read.
With the eased lockdown in Mumbai leading to huge crowds and compromised social distancing,Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner Praveen Pardeshi issued an order Tuesday, withdrawing relaxations for Mumbai and disallowing sale of liquor in the city. The order allowed only shops selling essential goods to operate.
"A one-size-fits-all approach to the coronavirus pandemic is likely to increase inequalities in the long term."
“… It has been observed that the number of positive cases in the city of Mumbai have been rising and the downward trend is yet to set in and gathering of crowds in large numbers without following social distancing will be detrimental to the control of spread of virus and the advantage of the lockdown will be lost due to gathering of people in large numbers,” the order said.
Meanwhile, researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School said in the Lancet that a one-size-fits-all approach to the coronavirus pandemic is likely to increase inequalities in the long term, so countries with less resources must let people get on with their lives — to work, earn money and put food on the table.
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TAGS: Coronavirus COVID-19 Delhi Gujarat India Lockdown Maharashtra Telangana World Health Organisation
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