Coronavirus India Lockdown Updates: Total Cases Rise To 536 As India Goes Under Lockdown
Coronavirus India Updates: Catch all the news and numbers here.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has imposed a 21-day total lockdown in India to contain the spread of Covid-19, which has 536 confirmed cases in India.
“If we listen to the health experts we know that 21 days are crucial to break the cycle of transmission,” Modi said in his televised address to the nation on Tuesday. “For a few days forget what it means to go out. Today’s decision of a nationwide lockdown draws a line outside your home.”
India is rushing now to contain the economic and health fallout of the spreading coronavirus outbreak that has so far infected 536 in India and killed 10 people. Cases have more than tripled in the last five days.
Track latest updates on how the coronavirus situation is evolving in India here:
Punjab Sets Up Covid-19 Relief Fund
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday set up a Covid-19 relief fund to be utilised for the welfare of people in distress due to coronavirus. He asked people to "donate generously".
According to a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's Office, the relief fund account would enable people to make contributions digitally through various payment gateways facilitating quick and easy transfer. The chief minister also called upon the people to work towards helping their Punjabi fellows.
He said the people's contribution to the fund would be a welfare step for the poor and the under-privileged during the coronavirus lockdown period.
India Lockdown: Rail Services Suspended Till April 14
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of a 21-day India lockdown, the Indian Railways said that its suspension of all passenger trains will continue till April 14. Freight movement will continue to carry essential commodities across the country.
The railways had on Sunday announced suspension of all its passenger services from March 22 midnight to March 31 amid concerns that coronavirus-infected passengers were spreading the virus further.
The suspensions also included all suburban train services.
Passengers can claim a full refund for all trains cancelled in this period till June 21.
Supreme Court Adjourns All Cases Listed For Hearing On Wednesday
In view of the 21-day India lockdown that comes into effect midnight, Supreme Court has adjourned all cases which were listed to take place via video conferencing on Wednesday.
NPR Exercise, First Phase Of 2021 Census Deferred Indefinitely
The process for framing of the National Population Register and 2021 Census have been deferred indefinitely after the Prime Minister's announcement of the 21-day India shutdown, government officials said.
IPL Cancellation On The Cards Due To India Lockdown
The cancellation of Indian Premier League looks inevitable after Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared a 21-day lockdown to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
Earlier on Tuesday, the 2020 Japan Olympics was postponed to 2021.
When the Board for Control of Cricket in India had postponed IPL 2020 to April 15 earlier this month, it had said hosting the tournament would only come into the picture if the situation around the pandemic improves. The situation has only worsened since then with Covid-19 cases crossing the 500-mark in India.
Speaking to PTI, BCCI President Sourav Ganguly said, "I can't say anything at the moment. We are at the same place where we were on the day we postponed. Nothing has changed in the last 10 days. So, I don't have an answer to it. Status quo remains.”
The league was originally scheduled to start on March 29 in Mumbai.
