//17.Jan.2020
The advisory issued by the Union health ministry stated that even though the mode of transmission of the novel coronavirus is unclear as of now, those visiting China are advised to avoid travel to farms, live animal markets or where animals are slaughtered, and refrain consuming "raw or under-cooked meat".
It suggested avoiding close contact with people who are unwell or showing symptoms of illness, such as cough, runny nose among others. The travellers are advised to wear a mask if thy have symptoms of respiratory problem.//
https://m.economictimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/india-issues-travel-advisory-in-wake-of-coronavirus-spread-in-china/articleshow/73326700.cms
//31.Jan.2020
It did not give a reason for the ban but it reported its first case of the new coronavirus on Thursday, a woman in the southern state of Kerala who was a student of Wuhan University in China.
India, the world’s second most heavily populated country after China, has taken measures to ensure that all people arriving from China report to health authorities.//
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-health-india/india-bans-export-of-protective-masks-clothing-amid-coronavirus-outbreak-idUSKBN1ZU20A?fbclid=IwAR1mheaUHZela_iF33JTmdMUo4XrEy4L2284mH2UdjdmVV4-esUdPQN5v3M
//04 Feb 2020
Three students, including a woman medico, from the state who studied in Wuhan university in China had tested positive for the virus in Thrissur, Alappuzha and Kasaragod districts in the last few days, following which the LDF government declared the epidemic as a 'state calamity' on 3rd Feb night.
Urging media to exercise self-restraint during the time of calamities and keep themselves away from fear-mongering, Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran said blowing up issues beyond proportion was largely affecting tourism industry.
A total of 8.19 lakh tourists had visited the southern state, popularly known as the "God's Own Country", in 9 months in 2019, which was 10.96 lakh in 2018, the minister added.//
https://m.economictimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/coronavirus-mass-cancellation-of-hotel-bookings-in-kerala-says-minister/amp_articleshow/73928606.cms
//05 March 2020 - Tamil Nadu State Government
“The Health Secretary has sent a communication today (Wednesday) asking the officials of the department to take steps for setting up emergency quarantine rooms in hotels,” a senior officer told TNIE. “It is aimed at isolating visitors from overseas countries, in case, they are down with symptoms of the virus.”//
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2020/mar/05/coronavirus-tamil-nadu-hotels-asked-to-have-quarantine-wards-for-emergencies-2112336.html
//10 March 2020
“Every year, tour agents make a bulk booking, including airline tickets, several months prior to the vacation period. Around 70 per cent of outbound tourism sector happens during the period from March to May. This year too, after long campaigning and marketing, tour agents expecting a good response, had made bulk bookings. A Kochi-based agent had 23 group booking during summer vacations and all of them have been cancelled by now,” Paulose Mathew, chairman, Kerala chapter of Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) said.//
https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2020/mar/10/thanks-to-coronavirus-outbound-tourism-collapses-in-kerala-2114591.html
//12 March 2020
Though the disease was first detected in China's Hubei province, the number of cases and fatalities in other countries has dramatically risen in recent weeks, sparking concerns about governments' abilities to contain the infection. Among the worst hit outside China are Italy, Iran, and South Korea.
The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a global pandemic on 12th March
"All existing visas, expect diplomatic, official, UN/International Organizations, employment, project visas, stand suspended till 15th April 2020," India's health ministry said in a statement. The restrictions are due to come into effect from 12:00 GMT on March 13 at the port of departure. //
https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2020/03/12/coronavirus-india-suspends-most-visas-closes-land-border-with-myanmar.html
//13 Mar 2020
A 76-year-old man who died two days ago in Karnataka while being treated for suspected coronavirus has become India's first COVID-19 fatality with his samples taken earlier confirming the infection, the state government said on 12 March.
"The body is disinfectants completely and disposed as per the Government of India guidelines," he added when asked to elaborate on the protocols.//
https://m.economictimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/man-suspected-of-coronavirus-dies-after-returning-from-saudi-arabia/articleshow/74574771.cms
//13 Mar 2020
Responding to the discussion on the call attention motion raised by AIADMK, DMK, Congress and IUML during the zero hour, Health Minister C Vijaya Basker expressed concern over the spread of canards regarding coronavirus. “Rumours about coronavirus spread faster than the virus itself. So, I appeal to the people to believe only official information given in a transparent manner by the State Health department. Corona did not spread in Tamil Nadu and hence, it does not have impact in the State.”
The Minister said per day, around 8,500 passengers arrive at airports in Tamil Nadu and all of them were being thoroughly screened. So far, 1.46 lakh passengers have been screened and 1,465 under surveillance.”Till now, over 60 persons have been affected by this infection across the country and around a lakh across the globe.”Pointing out that the virus had a very low mortality, the Minister said in China where it originated, the mortality rate remained between 2 to 3% while in other countries, the mortality is just 0.2%. //
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2020/mar/13/covid-19-takes-centre-stage-in-assembly-canards-raise-worries-2115998.html
//13 Mar 2020
Worried at the soaring cases, the Centre, for the first time, is set to carry out sentinel testing to check if community transmission of the virus has already taken place. Sources in the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) said sentinel testing will be carried out through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme’s influenza surveillance, which will randomly test swabs from patients hospitalised across India with severe acute respiratory syndrome and influenza. For the initiative, about 20 labs across India are set to be activated. //
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/mar/13/govt-to-start-sentinel-testing-to-check-if-virus-has-spread-2116047.html
//14 Mar 2020
That is math, not prophecy. The spread can be slowed, public health professionals say, if people practice “
social distancing” by avoiding public spaces and generally limiting their movement.
Still, without any measures to slow it down, covid-19 will continue to spread exponentially for months. To understand why, it is instructive to simulate the spread of a fake disease through a population.//
//17 Mar 2020
Last week, the ICMR had announced they have been successful in isolating the new strain of coronavirus -- the first step towards expediting the development of drugs and vaccines for COVID-19.//
https://www.livemint.com/news/india/who-praises-india-s-impressive-commitment-to-combat-coronavirus-11584456975670.html
//19 Mar 2020
The state’s health department plans to conduct mass screening camps at bus stands, railway stations, college and school campuses and in other public spaces to check if the fears are valid.“There are talks of a silent transmission. That is, people without symptoms passing the virus on to others and thereby increasing the chances for community transmission. To find empirical evidence, such camps will be of great help,” said an officer.
The state is currently working as per Phase 2 plan, where the infected persons are isolated and treated. Kerala was the first to shut schools and colleges, impose restrictions on festivals and gatherings, and also start screening inter-state travellers.//
//19 Mar 2020
Perhaps, for the first time in history, prayers were called off to avert the spread of COVID-19. “We have decided to close the mosque indefinitely from Thursday itself in view of the threat of the contagious disease. Consequently, the jumah prayers was also cancelled,” P.M. Abdul Kareem, secretary of the Pattala Palli at Mananchira, said.
Likewise, COVID-19 fears haVE derailed the Friday prayers at Mohiudeen Palli near the Palayam market and Liva ul-Islam Juma Masjid, Lulu Masjid on the Mavoor Road and Muslim Service Society (MSS) Juma Masjid on Cherootty Road. “Prayers and congregations will be suspended until the dangers of the virus disappears,” Hussain Madvoor, general secretary of All India Islahi Movement, and vice president of Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen, said.//
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/mosques-suspend-friday-mass-prayers/article31123938.ece/amp/
//20 Mar 2020
The government may call in the army to help enforce the restrictions and schools may not reopen before the summer break, the officials added. The further tightening may also include a ban on outdoor sports and on Italians’ “passeggiate,” or strolls, with citizens allowed to leave their homes only for work or health reasons, or for emergencies.
Italy on 19 March surpassed China as the country with the highest recorded death toll from the coronavirus. The number of Italian fatalities reached 3,405, civil protection officials said Thursday, with the pandemic also gathering pace in Spain and France as European governments struggle to prevent the disease from spreading.
Despite their confinement, Italians were together in song at 11 a.m. Friday, when all radio networks united to broadcast the national anthem followed by the songs “Azzurro,” “La Canzone del Sole,” and “Nel blu dipinto di blu.”
Conte is expected to announce new measures before the current restrictions expire on March 25. Soldiers have already been deployed in the southern regions of Sicily and Calabria. Italian newspapers reported on possible new restrictions earlier 20 March.
The death toll, though, rose more rapidly elsewhere. In Spain, the number shot up 28% to 767, while France reported a 41% increase to 372. French President Emmanuel Macron said it was unclear how many virus waves the world could be facing, and that efforts to arrest the outbreak will likely be implemented again in the future.//
https://fortune.com/2020/03/20/italy-lockdown-covid-19-deaths-pass-china/
//20 Mar 2020
The Janata curfew is nothing but a mock-drill for a possible lockdown. Modi also understands the importance of symbols and rituals. The gesture of applauding public workers and caregivers during Janata curfew is to prepare India for a national emergency.//
//Nobody is better suited to push the public to change behaviour than Narendra Modi, who has been hiding his own administrative and governance failures by asking the people of India to take responsibility. The slow rate of testing coronavirus raises concerns in India, but Modi will excel with what he’s best at: pushing people to do their best.//
https://theprint.in/talk-point/janata-curfew-brilliant-nudge-or-modi-shouldve-assured-more-about-indias-preparedness/384205/
//21 Mar 2020
The virus death toll surged past 11,000 worldwide, with 4,000 alone in worst-hit Italy where the daily number of fatalities has shot up relentlessly over the past week.
An estimated 900 million people are now confined to their homes in 35 countries around the world -- including 600 million hemmed in by obligatory government lockdown orders -- according to an AFP tally.
"Even if you don't get sick, the choices you make about where you go could be the difference between life and death for someone else." China on 21 March reported no new local infections for a third straight day, and the WHO said the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where the virus emerged late last year, offered a glimmer of "hope for the rest of the world".
In a sign of the shifting centre of the crisis, China has sent medical supplies to European nations struggling to cope with the pandemic, including Greece which received 500,000 medical masks from Beijing.
The shadow of the virus is lengthening across Africa and the Middle East too.
The Democratic Republic of Congo reported its first death Saturday, while Burkina Faso reported two new deaths, bringing the total number of fatalities in sub-Saharan Africa to five.//
https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/world-news/nearly-one-billion-people-confined-to-homes-globally-to-curb-virus/amp_articleshow/74749504.cms
//23 Mar 2020
While Mr. Modi had asked people to step out on their balconies, verandas or doorways and express their appreciation by clapping or beating plates, the Pilibhit officials were criticised on social media for prima facie breaking isolation and social distancing protocols.
A video of their alleged act was widely shared. In the 20-second video clip, the authenticity of which cannot be independently verified, Pilibhit District Magistrate Vaibhav Srivastava and Superintendent of Police Abhishek Dixit are seen leading a group of people, at least two dozen in sight, many of them government staff and policemen, through an unidentified street.//
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/janata-curfew-pilibhit-officials-trigger-row-after-allegedly-leading-march-flouting-social-distancing-rule/article31140370.ece?fbclid=IwAR0bC-aDXvQg_tEsygTPV30AWlIELG73vp9-B0lEtgBy3EC7owI8MKcEtHA
//24 Mar 2020
In some of the country's most popular tourist hotspots, foreign tourists are finding it tough to gain shelter, with panicky guest houses and hotels turning them away or worse, as Shalev discovered, evicting them.
For many others, their interactions with locals are marked by suspicion and rudeness, from being asked to leave restaurants to being refused cab rides.
Many believe that behind this panic among locals around the spread of the virus through foreign tourists lies a mix of context and panic, driven by disinformation. Much of it is driven through India's vast usage of social media networks, especially WhatsApp with more than 200 million users.
However, among the first cases of COVID-19 that India reported were a group of 15 Italian tourists who tested positive#. That, and the fact that a majority of India's COVID-19 cases continue to be those with recent travel history, have added to people's suspicions in places frequented by tourists, say locals.
Lucknow is the capital of India's most populous state of Uttar Pradesh, a state that reported its first case only on March 12.
The rapid rise in India's COVID-19 cases has led to many reacting with fear, panic and even, racism. Across the country, there are reports of racist attacks on people from India's northeastern region that borders China, suspecting them of being carriers of the virus.//
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/foreign-tourists-face-hostility-india-coronavirus-panic-200324083648362.html
//28 Mar 2020
Kerala recorded its first death due to the novel coronavirus in Kochi on Saturday, the state government confirmed.
Kerala has been one of the worst-hit states by the coronavirus pandemic. So far, Kerala has reported 176 cases of which 11 are foreign nationals. All 14 districts in the state have been affected by the pandemic.//
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/first-coronavirus-death-in-kerala-69-year-old-man-who-had-travelled-to-dubai-1660660-2020-03-28
//31 Mar 2020
Modi told the Indian envoys that “extraordinary times require extraordinary solutions, which was why even in this globalised era, most of the world had quarantined itself”.
Modi said India had taken “unprecedented” and “early steps” to reduce the risk of importing the infection. “This included the world’s largest quarantine and lock-down, implemented by India,” he told the Indian diplomats.
Since this crisis impacts the economy, the PM advised Heads of Mission to also focus on “ensuring that commerce in essential supplies, logistics chains, remittances and so on are unaffected, through their coordination with foreign partners”.//
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/koreas-testing-protocols-to-help-indians-abroad-pm-modi-discusses-covid-19-with-envoys-6339233/
//01 Apr 2020
A status report filed by the Ministry of External Affairs in the Supreme Court said there were 6,000 Indian nationals in various provinces of Iran. They included 1100 pilgrims mainly from the Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir and the State of Maharashtra, 300 students primarily from J&K, and over 1000 fishermen from Tamil Nadu (744), Kerala (70) and Gujarat (215).
However, the court expressed satisfaction with the government’s assurance that the welfare and safety of the stranded pilgrims in Qom would be taken care of by the Embassy there.//
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/covid-19-1142-indians-brought-back-from-iran-centre-tells-sc/article31230226.ece
//02 April 2020 - Tamil Nadu State Government
The capital subsidy will be disbursed as equal instalments over five years against investments made for making essential equipment, including modifications and upgrades of existing lines, the state government said. A 6% interest subvention will also be provided to manufacturers on working capital loans availed from commercial banks. Waiver of 100% stamp duty will also be provided.
The government believes it is essential to augment the local manufacturing capacity of essential medical equipment and drugs by implementing a special incentive package to promote manufacturing. SIPCOT and SIDCO will provide necessary land and sheds on short- or long-term leases on priority, according to a government order (GO).
https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/sme/tamil-nadu-offers-incentives-to-promote-production-of-covid-19-combat-gears/1917443/
//07 April 2020
Misinfodemics’ is a phenomenon through which any form of health-related misinformation contributes to the spread of illness. Patterns like this have happened in the past, contributing to the spread of tuberculosis, sexually transmitted infections, SARS or the outbreak of Nipah virus in the recent past. It is true that as online connectivity increases, more and more individuals resort to online content as the primary source of health-related information.//
https://www.newindianexpress.com/opinions/2020/mar/07/coronavirus-and-tackling-misinformation-2113479.html
//09 April 2020
Tata Group’s IHCL that on Friday opened the doors of seven of its properties for providing accommodation to health care workers.
Ginger hotels across the country are being used for quarantine purposes.
ITC Grand Central in Mumbai is delivering meals to doctors and healthcare workers in key hospitals. This initiative will be progressively rolled out in other metros including Kolkata, Chennai and Hyderabad
Park hotels are also providing free meals for daily wagers and migrant workers near the hotels.
Indian budget hotel chain OYO has also offered free accommodation to medical workers and foreigners who are stranded. //
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/covid-19-hotels-open-doors-in-the-time-of-a-pandemic/cid/1763455
//09 April 2020
On Wednesday, news of the suspension of Dr Sudhakar Rao, an anesthesiologist from Andhra Pradesh, caused outrage. He was suspended by the Health Department for “spreading false news” that there was a lack of PPE and masks in the hospital.
“There are some things that we, as teachers, cannot teach our students. There is no course which can prepare them for what they face now. Almost suddenly, they have had a lot of responsibilities thrust upon them. No amount of teaching in a classroom can provide them with the vital lessons they are learning now,” states general physician Dr MKS of a branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in Tamil Nadu.//
https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/thrown-pandemic-young-medicos-speak-tnm-fighting-covid-19-122385
//10 April 2020
This triggered a mass migrant exodus, unprecedented in the history of independent India. Equally disturbing was the response such incidents elicited on social media and elsewhere. On Twitter, while a minority lamented the lack of care for the bottom of the social ladder which was reflected in the way the government introduced the lockdown on March 24, several groups started equating the moving migrants with “virus reservoirs” and “human bombs” and called for their forced removal from areas where they could pose the threat of spreading the coronavirus.//
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/covid-19-shows-us-up-as-a-callous-people/article31308003.ece?fbclid=IwAR06Sqo-95etb4Hj48H5u4dY65BsHDz2h9t634V2gtbNXYy0t4u-5tOfVjs#
//10 Apr 2020
It also maintained that there is no community transmission in the country so far. A study by apex medical research body ICMR found that 40 people out of a total of 104 coronavirus patients with severe acute respiratory infection had contracted the infection without having any recent international travel history or contact with any confirmed cases of the disease.
Addressing the daily press briefing on the COVID-19 situation in the country, MEA Additional Secretary Dammu Ravi said, "There were requests from governments of several countries. We have successfully evacuated 20,473 foreign nationals as of yesterday."
An ICMR official said 146 laboratories are functional in the public sector while 67 private labs have been given approval for testing of COVID-19.
"A total 144910 samples have been tested till 9 PM on Thursday," he said.
He further said 39 PPE manufacturers are available in the country today; adding PPEs have been procured and given to states, due to which they have double the stock available with them compared to what they had two months back.
Around 20.4 lakh N-95 masks have been supplied to the states and further procurement has already been initiated to address future requirements. Also, an order for 49000 ventilators has been placed and stock is being taken for future requirements, he said.//
https://m.economictimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/decision-to-bring-indians-stranded-abroad-will-be-taken-after-reviewing-covid-19-situation-govt/articleshow/75086406.cms
//11 April 2020
Modi also suggested the idea of a lock-in wherein industrial, agricultural and construction workers may be housed within their work zones itself and continue with their work.
There is a need to ensure that harvest crops does not get affected because of the lockdown for ensuring India’s food security.
Modi said that agriculture is out of lockdown and mandis should not be crowded. He suggested that registered warehouse can be notified as deemed markets as farmers will not have to travel to sell.//
https://www.livemint.com/news/india/india-may-have-a-decentralised-lockdown-strategy-ahead-11586599859811.html
//12 April 2020
The charter flights announced so far are expected to make "serious inroads" into repatriating the large numbers stranded in India, with an end of April target set for getting the majority back to the UK.
An estimated 21,000 British residents are currently in India, of which around 5,000 are set to be repatriated over this weekend and the next week with a total of 19 charter flights confirmed between the different cities of India back to London.
The FCO said in the spirit of cooperation it has announced a series of measures to assist the Indians caught up in the crisis in the UK, including an extension to any expiring visas until the end of May and steps to safeguard university accommodation for Indian students.//
https://www.livemint.com/news/world/uk-to-get-first-batch-of-3-million-paracetamol-packets-from-india-by-sunday-11586598256304.html
//14 Apr 2020
A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde said this while hearing through video-conferencing a batch of pleas seeking evacuation of Indian citizens from different countries including United Kingdom and Gulf nations.
"People should stay where they are right now," said the bench, also comprising Justices L Nageswara Rao and M M Shantanagoudar.
"It is true that the GoI (Government of India) initially undertook some evacuation operations of Indian nationals as also nationals of other countries from China, Japan, Iran and Italy when the situation of coronavirus situation in India was not so grim.
"However, given the present situation of the coronavirus outbreak in India and the available limited resources, it is not feasible to selectively evacuate Indian citizens from abroad when a large number of them from a number of countries want to return back due to various reasons," it said.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/apr/14/stay-where-you-are-supreme-court-on-pleas-to-evacuate-indians-abroad-amid-covid-19-pandemic-2129766.html
