#Coronavirus

923 Cases Of Covid Sub-Variant JN.1 Reported From 15 States
#Coronavirus

India's Active Covid Cases Rise Above 4,000; Thane Reports 5 JN.1 Variant Infections
#Coronavirus

As COVID-19 Cases Rise, WHO Asks Countries To Strengthen Surveillance
#Coronavirus

COVID JN.1 Variant Spreading Rapidly, But Not Causing Severe Infections, Says Ex-AIIMS Director
#Coronavirus

India Reports 752 New COVID-19 Cases; Country's Active Cases At 3,420
#Coronavirus

Covid Updates: India Sees 22 JN.1 Cases With Mild Symptoms, Kerala Health Minister Warns Of Surge

COVID-19 UPDATES: On day 2 of lockdown, online grocery firms resume services

By Anuj Cariappa

| Updated: Thursday, March 26, 2020, 13:09 [IST]

New Delhi, Mar 26: As the nation enters into a three-week lockdown and as per the central and the state governments' directives, essential items will be readily available.

COVID-19 lockdown LIVE: On day 2, will the panic subside

E-commerce giants Flipkart, BigBasket and Grofers have resumed their services in some parts of India a day after their services were interrupted due to the nationwide lockdown announced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 25.

Here are the highlights of COVID-19 lockdown

Newest First Oldest First

12:24 PM, 26 Mar

All officers of Gurugram Police have been directed that exemption of services of technical hands required for essential services/maintenance of households/buildings shall be allowed free movement: Gurugram Police

All officers of Gurugram Police have been directed that exemption of services of technical hands required for essential services/maintenance of households/buildings shall be allowed free movement: Gurugram Police #Haryana pic.twitter.com/ToWOuO4LSV
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2020

12:10 PM, 26 Mar

In a WhatsApp message to mediapersons, she said a FIR had been registered against Congress MLA A John Kumar and more than 200 people for allegedly distributing doles to people outside his house in Nellithope.

12:10 PM, 26 Mar

A ruling Congress legislator in Puducherry has been booked for allegedly violating lokcdown rules and distributing dole to people at a village here, Lt Governor Kiran Bedi said on Thursday.

12:07 PM, 26 Mar

Sitharaman is likely to announce relief measures for the country that is grappling with coronavirus and is in a 21-day lockdown to fight the disease which has claimed 15 lives.

11:58 AM, 26 Mar

The Indian Railways is taking measures to ensure a dedicated supply of essential commodities to people.

Indian Railways is dedicated to ensure supply of essential commodities to the people of this country.

Loading of milk powder, cheese, biscuits from Palanpur station of Ahmedabad Division. pic.twitter.com/n4IJIxnWY8
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) March 26, 2020

11:54 AM, 26 Mar

Around 90 per cent of the families in the state will benefit from this decision, he said. "Rest assured, your son or brother is continuously making efforts to help the people of Jharkhand," Soren said in a tweet on Wednesday.

11:54 AM, 26 Mar

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren said his government has decided to provide two months ration in advance to the beneficiaries of the public distribution system, as the country entered the second day of the lockdown on Thursday to contain the coronavirus outbreak.

11:51 AM, 26 Mar

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to brief the media at 1 pm today.

11:21 AM, 26 Mar

The Delhi government has issued a notice, listing the online retailers/ operators that will be allowed to operate amid the lockdown due to coronavirus in Delhi. These include Zomato, Swiggy, Big Basket, Faasos, among others.

11:12 AM, 26 Mar

Rajya Sabha MP CM Ramesh pledged his MPLADS worth Rs 2 crore to the Prime Minister National Relief Fund, Rs 1 crore to the Andhra Pradesh CM fund and the same amount to Telangana CM Relief Fund.

11:09 AM, 26 Mar

With five new positive COVID-19 cases reported in the last 24 hours, the total in the national capital reached 35 on Wednesday

10:57 AM, 26 Mar

Hundreds of people, mostly students, queued up outside police stations across Hyderabad - compromising social distancing - for passes to return to their hometowns as the 21-day nationwide lockdown to check coronavirus began on Wednesday.

10:31 AM, 26 Mar

The scheduled meeting of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerath has been postponed indefinitely. The meeting was scheduled to be held on April 4.

10:21 AM, 26 Mar

Toll collections suspended amid COVID-19 lockdown.

10:17 AM, 26 Mar

The central government is looking to tackle the coronavirus pandemic with a three-week to three-month long action plan, including a financial package, say media reports.

9:56 AM, 26 Mar

People practice social distancing in Shimla

Shimla: People outside a shop stand at a distance from each other as they practice social distancing. #Coronavirus pic.twitter.com/Ej0Hg2jRFu
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2020

9:51 AM, 26 Mar

India’s economic statistical release likely to be delayed as coronavirus-related precautions and a 21-day nationwide lockdown disrupt field data collection.

9:31 AM, 26 Mar

Empty streets near Kolkata's Victoria Memorial as 21-day nationwide lockdown enters Day 2. Total number of positive cases in the state now stands at 10.

#WATCH Empty streets near Kolkata's Victoria Memorial as 21-day nationwide lockdown enters Day 2. Total number of positive cases in the state now stands at 10. #Coronavirus #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/Mz82hesXN7
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2020

9:09 AM, 26 Mar

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of World Health Organisation (WHO), on Wednesday said that a lockdown, which is being implemented by several countries to combat Covid-19, will not be enough to eradicate the coronavirus pandemic from the world.

9:04 AM, 26 Mar

Actor turned politician, Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan announced Rs 50 lakh each to CM relief fund of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

9:01 AM, 26 Mar

Dept for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade has set up a control room to monitor real-time status of transportation and delivery of goods, manufacturing, delivery of essential commodities and difficulties being faced by various stakeholders during the lockdown period.

8:55 AM, 26 Mar

West Bengal

Buses, trams, and metros in Kolkata have stopped plying as the city remains under lockdown to control the spread of Coronavirus; Total number of positive cases in the state now stand at 10.

8:42 AM, 26 Mar

An economic package is being finalised and this would take into consideration the unorganised sector of workers. The package will be announced later this week.

8:41 AM, 26 Mar

An economic package is being finalised and this would take into consideration the unorganised sector of workers. The package will be announced later this week.

8:38 AM, 26 Mar

Haryana

Government to provide an extension in service to medical and para-medical staff and those engaged in essential services who are due for retirement this month. A decision on this was taken in the meeting of the Crisis Coordination Committee.

8:35 AM, 26 Mar

Mumbai

Siddhivinayak Temple Trust yesterday distributed food and bottled water to police and traffic police personnel deployed on duty during lockdown in the city

7:44 AM, 26 Mar

Fresh guidelines have been issued by the Home Ministry in the wake of the 21 day lockdown. The MHA said that the Reserve Bank of India and RBI regulated financial markets pay and accounts officers and field officers of the CAG have been exempted from the lockdown.

7:44 AM, 26 Mar

Forest staff and workers involved in maintaining zoos, wildlife, fire fighting in the forests, watering plantation and patrolling have also been exempt.

7:44 AM, 26 Mar

Shops for seeds and pesticides data and cal centres of the government, manufacturing units of essential goods have been exempt.

7:40 AM, 26 Mar

Drugs, pharmaceutical, medical devices, their raw material and intermediates, coal and mineral production, transportation, supply of explosives and activities required for mining operations have also been exempt.

6:34 PM, 23 Mar

Punjab

Punjab announces curfew with no relaxations. Forced to impose curfew in larger interest of state, says CM Amarinder Singh

6:35 PM, 23 Mar

Kerala

Kerala announced complete lockdown. All borders in the state to remain closed, operations of all public transport to cease. All places of worship to also remain closed.

6:36 PM, 23 Mar

Bihar

Nitish Kumar says Families having ration cards will get free ration for 1 month and pensioners will get 3 months' pension in advance

6:36 PM, 23 Mar

Union Home Ministry asks all states to take action against those harassing people, athletes from Northeast over coronavirus: Officials

6:49 PM, 23 Mar

Karnataka

The ongoing budget session of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly will be cut short as Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri announced that it will be adjourned sine die on Tuesday, amid growing demand for it to be curtailed in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

6:49 PM, 23 Mar

Assam

Assam will be under lockdown from 6 pm on Tuesday till March 31 in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic, Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced. Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Sarma said essential services like pharmacies, medical, water supply, banking, and petrol pumps would be exempted from the purview of the lockdown.

7:00 PM, 23 Mar

Assessing the current situation, I have advised Commissioner Navodaya Vidyalaya to make their hostels (where no students are staying) available for the respective district administrations, aiding them to fight COVID19: Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal

7:15 PM, 23 Mar

Haryana

A day after putting seven districts of the state under lockdown, the Haryana government on Monday decided to extend the anti-coronavirus preventive measure to the remaining 15 districts of the state also. The lockdown for the new districts would be effective from March 24 midnight i.e. night intervening Monday and Tuesday.

7:16 PM, 23 Mar

Puducherry

Curfew is being imposed in the entire union territory of Puducherry from 9 pm on Monday till March 31 to contain spread of coronavirus, Chief Minister V Narayanasamy announced. None should come out of their homes and all vehicular movements would be suspended unless for genuine and compelling reason, with police asked to ensure strict enforcement of the curfew, he told reporters here on Monday.

7:17 PM, 23 Mar

Telangana

The Telangana government on Monday asserted the total lockdown announced by it to check the spread of coronavirus would be implemented strictly and advised people against moving from 7 pm to 6 am on the roads. Speaking to reporters, state Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar said nobody would be allowed outside from 7 pm to 6 am daily as part of the lockdown. The purchase of essential commodities should be done during the day, he added.

7:17 PM, 23 Mar

Mumbai

Three state-run hospitals in Mumbai will soon have isolation wards comprising 500 beds to deal with rising coronavirus cases, city Guardian Minister Aslam Shaikh said on Monday.

7:17 PM, 23 Mar

Chhattisgarh

The Chhattisgarh government on Monday ordered suspension of public and private buses, auto and e-rickshaws and taxis with immediate effect. A letter announcing this was sent by state Transport Commissioner Kamalpreet Singh, an official statement here said. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday evening announced a lockdown in urban areas in 28 districts till March 31, during which only those sectors dealing with essential services will be allowed to remain open.

7:18 PM, 23 Mar

Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Nadu government warned of legal action against overseas returnees violating directions for self-quarantine as a preventive measure against coronavirus, saying they become a threat for community transmission. State Health and Family Welfare Minister C Vijaya Baskar said the list of travellers had been handed over to district administration and police for tracking and legal action would be taken if anyone violated the order.

7:19 PM, 23 Mar

New Delhi

The Delhi government said it would implement the Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana in Delhi from fiscal 2020-21, changing its stance on the enforcement of the scheme in the national capital. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who also holds finance portfolio, made the announcement while presenting the Delhi budget in the assembly on Monday.

7:20 PM, 23 Mar

Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh has been placed under lockdown indefinitely to check the spread of coronavirus, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said on Monday. The chief minister made the announcement before the state assembly was adjourned sine die. People should not panic as the government is ready to meet any eventuality, he said, adding that the lockdown will remain in force till further orders.

7:22 PM, 23 Mar

Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir Police used drones in some parts of the city to announce restrictions on the movement of people as part of the 10-day lockdown to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

7:22 PM, 23 Mar

West Bengal

Jute mills in West Bengal will remain closed till March 27 following the state governments lockdown directive in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Indian Jute Mills Association sources said on Monday. The IJMA has issued a notice that the mills will be closed from 5 PM on Monday 5 PM to 6 AM on March 28, as advised by the state labour department.

7:22 PM, 23 Mar

Uttar Pradesh

People rushed to buy essential commodities and police stepped up their presence as a three-day lockdown began in 16 Uttar Pradesh districts on Monday to fight the spread of coronavirus. After the “Janta curfew” on Sunday, people in some areas were seen coming out to stock up on groceries. Some complained that traders had hiked the prices of vegetables.

7:31 PM, 23 Mar

Karnataka

All public & private passenger transport services including Ola, Uber, taxi & autorickshaws shall be stopped from tomorrow in Bangalore Urban, Bangalore Rural, Kalaburagi, Chikkaballapur, Mysuru, Madikeri, Dharwad, Mangaluru& Belagavi where restrictions are in place: Karnataka Govt

7:31 PM, 23 Mar

Chandigarh

A curfew has been imposed in Chandigarh from today midnight till further orders in view of Coronavirus Pandemic. People engaged in essential services will only be allowed curfew passes: Chandigarh Administrator V P Singh Badnore

7:50 PM, 23 Mar

New Delhi

The Delhi government on Monday directed medical superintendents of its hospitals and heads of health institutions to hire private vehicles to ensure that their staffers don't face problems in reaching workplaces due to lockdown. According to an order issued by the health department, it has come to notice that officers and officials working in hospitals and heath institutions are unable to reach their workplaces due to the shutdown in the city in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.

7:57 PM, 23 Mar

Arunachal Pradesh

The Arunachal Pradesh government has announced a lockdown in the state from Monday evening till March 31 in view of the coronavirus outbreak, officials said. All essential services will continue during the period, according to a notification issued by Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar on Sunday night.

7:58 PM, 23 Mar

Punjab

Punjab Cabinet ministers on Monday announced to contribute their one month's salary to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund in a fight against coronavirus. A government release quoting Parliamentary Affairs Minister Brahm Mohindra said the ministers decided to make the contribution on the suggestion of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.

8:12 PM, 23 Mar

New Delhi

To ensure the proper implementation of Section 144 in Delhi inter-state borders of Delhi with neighbouring states shall be completely sealed by Police, except for the movement of essential goods and commodities: MS Randhawa, Delhi PRO

8:12 PM, 23 Mar

Punjab

We have asked for Rs 150 Crore from centre. We have so many NRIs in Punjab, 90000 people have come here in last 3-4 months. So we need money for infrastructure as well as for isolation wards & other things if there are cases. 5 MPs also met Dr Harsh Vardhan: Punjab health minister

8:21 PM, 23 Mar

Odisha

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on created a fund to deal with the crisis arising out of Covid-19 outbreak, urging people to contribute generously. Patnaik also said that he would donate three months' salary for the cause.

8:21 PM, 23 Mar

For the first time in its history, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences here has decided to indefinitely shut down OPD services, including speciality and all new and follow-up registration.

8:22 PM, 23 Mar

Chandigarh

The Union Territory of Chandigarh was placed under curfew on Monday, hours after the Punjab government imposed it in the entire state in a bid to curb the coronavirus spread. Punjab Governor and Union Territory Chandigarh Administrator V P Singh Badnore decided to impose curfew in the city with effect from Monday midnight till further orders, said an official statement.

8:22 PM, 23 Mar

Telangana

State Bank of India on Monday said it would provide essential and basic banking services with minimum number of staff at the branches in Telangana, where a lockdown has been announced by the government to contain spread of coronavirus.

9:57 PM, 23 Mar

New Delhi

To curtail the spread of fast-spreading COVID-19, the Delhi Police appealed to people through social media and public announcement systems to stay at home and venture out only in case of an emergency. The city will be under lockdown till March 31 midnight amid the coronavirus outbreak.