A Chinese agency has emerged as the biggest funder of coronavirus research. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you why this is a matter of concern.

Gravitas: World's biggest funder of Covid-19 research is Chinese

China's biggest political gathering - the National People's Congress kicked off today in Beijing. Despite growing global criticism, China used the event to project strength - and claim victory over the Coronavirus. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay gets you the five big takeaways from day one.

Gravitas: What is China's agenda for 2020

There are more than 100 coronavirus vaccines in the pipeline and almost a dozen that have made it to human trials so far.

Monkeys infected with COVID-19 develop immunity in studies

<p>Syria reported 20 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Monday, the largest single-day increase to date, the health ministry,</p>

<p>The war-torn country has recorded 106 infections and four deaths so far, and new cases have increased in recent days with the return of Syrians from abroad, the ministry said.</p>

<p><strong>Also see:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/artholes-artist-covers-mundane-potholes-with-pandemic-themed-mosaics-300942" hreflang="en">Artholes: Artist covers mundane potholes with pandemic-themed mosaics</a></p>

<p>Syria has kept an overnight curfew in place but has begun to open some of its economy after a lockdown. Doctors and relief groups worry that medical infrastructure ravaged by nine years of conflict would make a more serious outbreak deadly and difficult to fend off.</p>

<p>Health Minister Nizar Yazigi said last week that "coercive and unfair" Western sanctions were hitting medical services needed to cope with coronavirus and he called for their removal.</p>


Syria reported 20 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Monday, the largest single-day increase to date, the health ministry, The war-torn country has recorded 106 infections and four deaths so far, and new cases have increased in recent days with the return of Syrians from abroad, the ministry said.

Syria reported 20 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Monday, the largest single-day increase to date, the health ministry, The war-torn country has recorded 106 infections and four deaths so far, and new cases have increased in recent days with the return of Syrians from abroad, the ministry said. Also see: Artholes: Artist covers mundane potholes with pandemic-themed mosaics Syria has kept an overnight curfew in place but has begun to open some of its economy after a lockdown. Doctors and relief groups worry that medical infrastructure ravaged by nine years of conflict would make a more serious outbreak deadly and difficult to fend off. Health Minister Nizar Yazigi said last week that "coercive and unfair" Western sanctions were hitting medical services needed to cope with coronavirus and he called for their removal.

Syria records 20 new coronavirus cases in largest single-day increase

<p>Mosques, churches and businesses in the occupied West Bank will reopen on Tuesday in an easing of coronavirus restrictions, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said on Monday.</p>

<p>The Palestinian Authority declared a health emergency in March and imposed lockdowns after the first cases of the novel coronavirus were confirmed in the West Bank town of Bethlehem.</p>

<p><strong>Also see:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/artholes-artist-covers-mundane-potholes-with-pandemic-themed-mosaics-300942" hreflang="en">Artholes: Artist covers mundane potholes with pandemic-themed mosaics</a></p>

<p>Shtayyeh said it was time to "cautiously return life to normal" now that infection rates had slowed.</p>

<p>The reopening of houses of worship, shops and factories on Tuesday will coincide with the last day of the Eid El-Fitr holiday marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.</p>

<p>Shtayyeh said that government ministries and offices would reopen on Wednesday and that checkpoints set up to limit traffic between West Bank cities would be removed.</p>

<p>The Palestinian Health Ministry has confirmed 423 cases of the new coronavirus in the West Bank and two deaths.</p>

<p>The health crisis has led to a 50% fall in commercial revenues in the West Bank, in a blow to an already ailing economy in which unemployment is at 17.6%, local officials said.</p>

<p>In the Gaza Strip, which is run by the Palestinian Authority's rival, the Islamist group Hamas, 54 coronavirus cases and one death have been recorded.</p>


Mosques, churches and businesses in the occupied West Bank will reopen on Tuesday in an easing of coronavirus restrictions, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said on Monday.

Mosques, churches and businesses in the occupied West Bank will reopen on Tuesday in an easing of coronavirus restrictions, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said on Monday. The Palestinian Authority declared a health emergency in March and imposed lockdowns after the first cases of the novel coronavirus were confirmed in the West Bank town of Bethlehem. Also see: Artholes: Artist covers mundane potholes with pandemic-themed mosaics Shtayyeh said it was time to "cautiously return life to normal" now that infection rates had slowed. The reopening of houses of worship, shops and factories on Tuesday will coincide with the last day of the Eid El-Fitr holiday marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. Shtayyeh said that government ministries and offices would reopen on Wednesday and that checkpoints set up to limit traffic between West Bank cities would be removed. The Palestinian Health Ministry has confirmed 423 cases of the new coronavirus in the West Bank and two deaths. The health crisis has led to a 50% fall in commercial revenues in the West Bank, in a blow to an already ailing economy in which unemployment is at 17.6%, local officials said. In the Gaza Strip, which is run by the Palestinian Authority's rival, the Islamist group Hamas, 54 coronavirus cases and one death have been recorded.

Palestinians easing coronavirus restrictions in West Bank

<p>Brazil is now increasingly becoming the primary hotspot of coronavirus, as President Jair Bolsonaro continues to downplay it as a “flu”.</p>

<p>The country currently has the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases. Brazil has now 3,30,890 infections and has recorded 21,048 deaths.</p>

<p>The World Health Organization had recently announced South America as the epicentre of COVID-19, which started off in Wuhan, then battered European countries especially Italy and France. After which, it caused major fatalities in the US, where the infection rate is currently slowing down.</p>

<p>However, the most susceptible among Brazil’s diverse population are the indigenous people, who are now dying at an alarming rate, CNN reported.</p>

<h6><img alt="p" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="107ea1cf-c532-4b66-8ed5-af59f4978666" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-2_8.jpg" /><br />
<em>Indigenous women from the Parque das Tribos community mourn at the funeral of Chief Messias, 53, of the Kokama tribe who died victim of the new coronavirus, COVID-19, in Manaus, Brazil, on May 14, 2020 | AFP</em><br />
&nbsp;</h6>

<p>With healthcare infrastructure crumbling across the country, especially in the indigenous regions, scores of natives are now infected.</p>

<p>According to Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB), the mortality rate among the native population is twice as much as the the rest of the country’s population.</p>

<p>Brazil currently has over 900,000 indigenous people, out of whom 980 have now tested positive for coronavirus, which is capable of spreading very quickly. 125 natives have died so far, putting the indigenous community’s mortality rate at 12.6 per cent, as opposed to the national average of 6.4 per cent.</p>

<p>APIB’s numbers contrast the Health Ministry of Indigenous Health’s reports, which claim 695 cases of COVID-19 and 34 deaths among the indigenous communities.</p>

<p>Remote villages remain the most susceptible owing to lack of healthcare. The first native death was registered in a remote Amazonian village where a 15-year-old boy died in April.</p>

<h6><img alt="pp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d729899f-2550-4009-a35a-c0266af89c02" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-3_7.jpg" /><br />
<em>Satere-mawe indigenous people are seen using a smartphone to contact a doctor in Sao Paulo state to receive medical guidance amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic at the Sahu-Ape community, 80 km of Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil, on May 5, 2020 | AFP</em><br />
&nbsp;</h6>

<p>Over 60 native groups have reported cases of coronavirus so far, with the number expected to keep increasing, especially in regions with no immediate access to hospitals.</p>

<p>InfoAmazonia conducted a study after which they concluded that the average distance between villages and the nearest intensive care unit (ICU) is&nbsp;315 kilometres, which could hamper immediate care for critical cases.</p>

<p>Deforestation in the Brazilian rainforest has increased by over 64 per cent in 2020 alone, opening up new ways for the virus to reach the isolated tribes.</p>

<p>Last week, the country’s congress passed a plan to protect indigenous communities by providing not only healthcare but also access to clean food and water.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from Reuters and AFP)</em></p>


Brazil is now increasingly becoming the primary hotspot of coronavirus, as President Jair Bolsonaro continues to downplay it as a “flu”. The country currently has the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases.

Brazil is now increasingly becoming the primary hotspot of coronavirus, as President Jair Bolsonaro continues to downplay it as a “flu”. The country currently has the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases. Brazil has now 3,30,890 infections and has recorded 21,048 deaths. The World Health Organization had recently announced South America as the epicentre of COVID-19, which started off in Wuhan, then battered European countries especially Italy and France. After which, it caused major fatalities in the US, where the infection rate is currently slowing down. However, the most susceptible among Brazil’s diverse population are the indigenous people, who are now dying at an alarming rate, CNN reported. Indigenous women from the Parque das Tribos community mourn at the funeral of Chief Messias, 53, of the Kokama tribe who died victim of the new coronavirus, COVID-19, in Manaus, Brazil, on May 14, 2020 | AFP With healthcare infrastructure crumbling across the country, especially in the indigenous regions, scores of natives are now infected. According to Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB), the mortality rate among the native population is twice as much as the the rest of the country’s population. Brazil currently has over 900,000 indigenous people, out of whom 980 have now tested positive for coronavirus, which is capable of spreading very quickly. 125 natives have died so far, putting the indigenous community’s mortality rate at 12.6 per cent, as opposed to the national average of 6.4 per cent. APIB’s numbers contrast the Health Ministry of Indigenous Health’s reports, which claim 695 cases of COVID-19 and 34 deaths among the indigenous communities. Remote villages remain the most susceptible owing to lack of healthcare. The first native death was registered in a remote Amazonian village where a 15-year-old boy died in April. Satere-mawe indigenous people are seen using a smartphone to contact a doctor in Sao Paulo state to receive medical guidance amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic at the Sahu-Ape community, 80 km of Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil, on May 5, 2020 | AFP Over 60 native groups have reported cases of coronavirus so far, with the number expected to keep increasing, especially in regions with no immediate access to hospitals. InfoAmazonia conducted a study after which they concluded that the average distance between villages and the nearest intensive care unit (ICU) is 315 kilometres, which could hamper immediate care for critical cases. Deforestation in the Brazilian rainforest has increased by over 64 per cent in 2020 alone, opening up new ways for the virus to reach the isolated tribes. Last week, the country’s congress passed a plan to protect indigenous communities by providing not only healthcare but also access to clean food and water. (With inputs from Reuters and AFP)

Indigenous tribals in Brazil are dying twice as much as the national average due to COVID-19

<p>Setting an example to follow amid the harsh COVID-19 conditions, megastar Amitabh Bachchan on Monday shared a collage featuring celebrities covering their face.</p>

<p><strong>In pics:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/films-that-had-prominent-characters-don-masks-way-before-coronavirus-scare-300400" hreflang="en">Films that had prominent characters don masks way before coronavirus scare</a></p>

<p>The 77-year-old star put out the picture on Instagram that features celebrities including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Alia Bhatt, Tiger Shroff, and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, covering their faces. The collage also shows Big B, who is seen stretching the neck of his high neck T-shirt, only to cover his mouth.</p>

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<p>Cohering the importance of the message, the 'Don' actor didn't write any caption along with the post.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/vir-das-neighbour-shouts-and-sneezes-at-him-for-not-wearing-mask-comedian-shares-video-on-social-media-300849" hreflang="en">Vir Das' neighbour shouts and sneezes at him for not wearing mask, comedian shares video on social media</a></p>

<p>The post on sending the important message garnered more than 1.7 lakh likes within just 55 minutes of being posted.</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAlm00_BNWp/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Wear the mask .. an initiative by @avigowariker .. ace photographer and dear friend</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/amitabhbachchan/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Amitabh Bachchan</a> (@amitabhbachchan) on <time datetime="2020-05-24T22:36:38+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">May 24, 2020 at 3:36pm PDT</time></p>
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<p>The 'Baghban' star is one of the most socially active senior actors of the Indian cinema industry. He keeps his fans well posted by tweeting and sharing his personal and professional updates on social media. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/ayushmann-khurrana-on-his-films-being-remade-in-south-its-quite-overwhelming-and-gratifying-300855" hreflang="en">Ayushmann Khurrana on his films being remade in South: It's quite overwhelming and gratifying</a></p>

<p>Earlier, Sr Bachchan congratulated the Government of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the success of Ayushman Bharat scheme as the number of beneficiaries under the scheme touched one crore mark.</p>


Setting an example to follow amid the harsh COVID-19 conditions, megastar Amitabh Bachchan on Monday shared a collage featuring celebrities covering their face. In pics: Films that had prominent characters don masks way before coronavirus scare The 77-year-old star put out the picture on Instagram that features celebrities including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Alia Bhatt, Tiger Shroff, and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, covering their faces.

Setting an example to follow amid the harsh COVID-19 conditions, megastar Amitabh Bachchan on Monday shared a collage featuring celebrities covering their face. In pics: Films that had prominent characters don masks way before coronavirus scare The 77-year-old star put out the picture on Instagram that features celebrities including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Alia Bhatt, Tiger Shroff, and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, covering their faces. The collage also shows Big B, who is seen stretching the neck of his high neck T-shirt, only to cover his mouth. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amitabh Bachchan (@amitabhbachchan) on May 25, 2020 at 2:15am PDT × Cohering the importance of the message, the 'Don' actor didn't write any caption along with the post. Also read: Vir Das' neighbour shouts and sneezes at him for not wearing mask, comedian shares video on social media The post on sending the important message garnered more than 1.7 lakh likes within just 55 minutes of being posted. View this post on Instagram Wear the mask .. an initiative by @avigowariker .. ace photographer and dear friend A post shared by Amitabh Bachchan (@amitabhbachchan) on May 24, 2020 at 3:36pm PDT × The 'Baghban' star is one of the most socially active senior actors of the Indian cinema industry. He keeps his fans well posted by tweeting and sharing his personal and professional updates on social media. Also read: Ayushmann Khurrana on his films being remade in South: It's quite overwhelming and gratifying Earlier, Sr Bachchan congratulated the Government of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the success of Ayushman Bharat scheme as the number of beneficiaries under the scheme touched one crore mark.

Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan & other celebs encourage fans to wear mask

The Mongolian health ministry has requested for Remdesivir from Indian companies. Remdesivir though still experimental holds promise in treatment for COVID. Speaking exclusively to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal from Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar, Ambassador M P Singh while talking about current collaboration during the pandemic said, "best in our relationship with Mongolia is yet to come." India is also reaching out to Mongolia at the current times of COVID crisis by sending consignments of Paracetamol and HCQ to the country and offering training to its officials in COVID management.

WION exclusive conversation with Indian envoy to Mongolia M P Singh

<p>US President Donald Trump has stirred up fresh controversy on Saturday after he left the White House for his golf course in Virginia amid the coronavirus situation in the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oxfords-covid-19-vaccine-trial-has-50-chance-of-success-says-project-leader-300677" hreflang="en">Oxford's COVID-19 vaccine trial has 50% chance of success, says project leader</a></p>

<p>A photo resurfaced of Donald Trump wearing typical golf wear of white polo shirt and white baseball cap and was seen departing the White House.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-records-1127-coronavirus-deaths-in-24-hours-johns-hopkins-300667">US records 1,127 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours: Johns Hopkins</a></p>

<p>The United States recorded a further 1,127 deaths from COVID-19 on Saturday, bringing its total to 97,048 since the global pandemic began, as per&nbsp;tally kept by Johns Hopkins University.</p>

<p>The country has also officially logged 1,621,658 cases of the virus, far more than any other nation, the tracker kept by the Baltimore-based university showed at 8:30 pm, the report added.</p>

<p>Trump's coronavirus task force coordinator, Deborah Birx, told a White House briefing on Friday that Americans over this Memorial Day weekend should "be outside, play golf, play tennis with marked balls, go to the beach - but stay six feet apart!"</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the global number of novel coronavirus cases has passed 5.25 million with more than 339,000 deaths, according to a tally from official sources compiled by an agency.</p>


US President Donald Trump has stirred up fresh controversy on Saturday after he left the White House for his golf course in Virginia amid the coronavirus situation in the country.

US President Donald Trump has stirred up fresh controversy on Saturday after he left the White House for his golf course in Virginia amid the coronavirus situation in the country. Also read: Oxford's COVID-19 vaccine trial has 50% chance of success, says project leader A photo resurfaced of Donald Trump wearing typical golf wear of white polo shirt and white baseball cap and was seen departing the White House. Also read: US records 1,127 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours: Johns Hopkins The United States recorded a further 1,127 deaths from COVID-19 on Saturday, bringing its total to 97,048 since the global pandemic began, as per tally kept by Johns Hopkins University. The country has also officially logged 1,621,658 cases of the virus, far more than any other nation, the tracker kept by the Baltimore-based university showed at 8:30 pm, the report added. Trump's coronavirus task force coordinator, Deborah Birx, told a White House briefing on Friday that Americans over this Memorial Day weekend should "be outside, play golf, play tennis with marked balls, go to the beach - but stay six feet apart!" Meanwhile, the global number of novel coronavirus cases has passed 5.25 million with more than 339,000 deaths, according to a tally from official sources compiled by an agency.

Donald Trump goes to play golf as US nears 100,000 deaths due to COVID-19

<p>The United States is likely to impose travel restrictions on Brazil on Sunday, in the wake of the South American nation becoming the world No 2 hot spot for coronavirus cases.</p>

<p>US President Donald Trump had&nbsp;earlier said he was considering imposing a ban on travel from Brazil.</p>

<p>"I don’t want people coming over here and infecting our people. I don’t want people over there sick either. We’re helping Brazil with ventilators. Brazil is having some trouble, no question about it," Trump told reporters at the White House.</p>

<p>To this end, National security advisor Robert O'Brien on Saturday told CBS' "Face the Nation" there would likely be a decision to suspend entry for travellers arriving from Brazil.</p>

<p>"We hope that'll be temporary," he added.</p>

<p>Brazil became the world No. 2 hot spot for coronavirus cases on Friday, second only to the United States, and now has over 3,47,000 people infected by the virus.</p>

<p>O'Brien said the United States would look at restrictions for other countries in the Southern Hemisphere on a country-by-country basis.</p>

<p>Trump suspended entry of most travellers from China, where the outbreak began, in January. In early March, he imposed travel restrictions on people coming from Europe.</p>

<p>The proposal to add Brazil to the list of countries that face a bar on nearly all non-American citizens from entering the United States would bar most people who have visited Brazil within the past 14 days.</p>

<p>Green card holders, close relatives of US&nbsp;citizens and flight crew members would be exempt.</p>


The United States is likely to impose travel restrictions on Brazil on Sunday, in the wake of the South American nation becoming the world No 2 hot spot for coronavirus cases.

The United States is likely to impose travel restrictions on Brazil on Sunday, in the wake of the South American nation becoming the world No 2 hot spot for coronavirus cases. US President Donald Trump had earlier said he was considering imposing a ban on travel from Brazil. "I don’t want people coming over here and infecting our people. I don’t want people over there sick either. We’re helping Brazil with ventilators. Brazil is having some trouble, no question about it," Trump told reporters at the White House. To this end, National security advisor Robert O'Brien on Saturday told CBS' "Face the Nation" there would likely be a decision to suspend entry for travellers arriving from Brazil. "We hope that'll be temporary," he added. Brazil became the world No. 2 hot spot for coronavirus cases on Friday, second only to the United States, and now has over 3,47,000 people infected by the virus. O'Brien said the United States would look at restrictions for other countries in the Southern Hemisphere on a country-by-country basis. Trump suspended entry of most travellers from China, where the outbreak began, in January. In early March, he imposed travel restrictions on people coming from Europe. The proposal to add Brazil to the list of countries that face a bar on nearly all non-American citizens from entering the United States would bar most people who have visited Brazil within the past 14 days. Green card holders, close relatives of US citizens and flight crew members would be exempt.

US may ban travellers from Brazil on Sunday over coronavirus outbreak

<p>Indian skies will open up for domestic passenger flights from Monday after a gap of two months even as Maharashtra, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu expressed reluctance to deal with so many incoming passengers amid the coronavirus pandemic.</p>

<p>The above mentioned states are home to some of the busiest airports in terms of passenger traffic.</p>

<p>Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said on Twitter on Sunday that it is "extremely ill-advised" to reopen airports in red zones. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she would urge the Centre to postpone the resumption of domestic flight services at Kolkata and Bagdogra airports by a few days.</p>

<p>The confusion, however, seemed to near an end as it was announced that the Mumbai airport would deal with only 50 domestic flights per day from Monday while the Kolkata and Bagdogra airports in West Bengal will handle domestic services from May 28. They will each handle only 20 flights per day.</p>

<p>The Hyderabad airport will deal with only 30 domestic flights per day from Monday, and there will be no domestic services at the Vijaywada and the Vizag airports on Monday, officials said.</p>

<p>The first flight on Monday is scheduled to depart from Mumbai for Patna at 4.20 AM. Similarly, the first flight from Delhi airport would depart for Kolkata at 4.30 AM. Both flights are from IndiGo airline.</p>

<p>The government last week announced the resumption of domestic flight services from May 25 under specific rules and guidelines like a cap on ticket pricing, wearing of face masks by passengers, no food served onboard planes and making available details of medical conditions by travellers through Aarogya Setu app or by filling up of a self-declaration form.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/new-guidelines-issued-for-domestic-travel-aarogya-setu-app-compulsory-300740"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;New guidelines issued for domestic travel; Aarogya Setu app compulsory</strong></a></p>

<p>The government's decision came as the aviation sector was reeling under severe stress triggered by the coronavirus lockdown that began on March 25.</p>

<p>However, many states expressed serious reservations about the Centre's decision to start flight services. Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Bihar, Punjab, Assam and Andhra Pradesh have announced their respective quarantine measures for passengers arriving at their airports.</p>

<p>Some states decided to put passengers on mandatory institutional quarantine while several others talked about putting them under home quarantine.</p>

<p>Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday questioned the need for quarantine if a passenger is shown green status in Aarogya Setu app. The green status signifies that a passenger is safe.</p>

<p>However, as the states remained adamant on the matter, the central government is trying to create coherence in quarantine rules for flyers. Bookings have been opened for around 1,050 domestic flights that will operate on Monday.</p>

<p>The Uttar Pradesh government said air travellers to the state would be home quarantined for 14 days unless they are staying for less than a week or if they clear the coronavirus test earlier. Passengers will have to follow the laid-down home quarantine protocol.</p>

<p>They can get themselves tested for the virus on the sixth day from their arrival and end their quarantine if the results come out negative</p>

<p>The Jammu and Kashmir government said on Saturday that all incoming passengers will have to undergo "administrative quarantine" for a fortnight.</p>

<p>Similarly, the Kerala government said on Friday that all flyers will be put into 14 days' home quarantine and that it has made an exception for those coming for business purposes or for a short duration.</p>

<p>Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had said all incoming passengers will be put in home quarantine for 14 days while the Bihar government said that travellers will be put on "paid quarantine" for the same period.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/maha-tn-west-bengal-seek-delay-in-restarting-flights-as-coronavirus-cases-rise-300734"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Maha, TN, West Bengal seek delay in restarting flights as coronavirus cases rise</strong></a></p>

<p>Passengers coming to Andhra Pradesh would be put under home quarantine, said the state government, adding that once their test results for COVID-19 come negative, they will be relieved from quarantine.</p>

<p>The Assam government on Friday said it will be putting flyers on a 14-day quarantine. The passengers might be distributed equally in home quarantine and government quarantine, it clarified.</p>

<p>Karnataka government's health ministry made it clear said that anyone coming from states where there is "high prevalence" of COVID-19 will be kept in institutional quarantine for seven days and if tested COVID-negative, the passenger will have to spend the next seven days in home quarantine.</p>

<p>Karnataka has classified Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh as "high prevalence" states.</p>

<p>The passengers coming through remaining states in the country to Karnataka will have to undergo 14 days of home quarantine.</p>

<p>However, the Karnataka health department clarified that special cases where businessmen are coming for urgent work will not require to undergo any quarantine if they bring test results that are not more than two days old and show them COVID-negative.</p>

<p>Puri's announcement on Wednesday that airlines will resume domestic passenger flights from Monday came as a big breather for the aviation sector.</p>

<p>The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on Sunday issued guidelines for domestic travel, advising passengers to download the Aarogya Setu app on their mobile devices and asking states to ensure thermal screening at the departure point of airports, railway stations and bus terminals.</p>

<p>Asymptomatic passengers should be permitted to travel after being asked to self-monitor for 14 days, the ministry said.</p>

<p>Dos and Don'ts shall be provided along with tickets to travellers by the agencies concerned, said the ministry's guidelines for domestic travel (air/train/inter-state bus travel).&nbsp;</p>

<p><em><strong>(with inputs from PTI)</strong></em></p>


Indian skies will open up for domestic passenger flights from Monday after a gap of two months even as Maharashtra, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu expressed reluctance to deal with so many incoming passengers amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Indian skies will open up for domestic passenger flights from Monday after a gap of two months even as Maharashtra, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu expressed reluctance to deal with so many incoming passengers amid the coronavirus pandemic. The above mentioned states are home to some of the busiest airports in terms of passenger traffic. Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said on Twitter on Sunday that it is "extremely ill-advised" to reopen airports in red zones. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she would urge the Centre to postpone the resumption of domestic flight services at Kolkata and Bagdogra airports by a few days. The confusion, however, seemed to near an end as it was announced that the Mumbai airport would deal with only 50 domestic flights per day from Monday while the Kolkata and Bagdogra airports in West Bengal will handle domestic services from May 28. They will each handle only 20 flights per day. The Hyderabad airport will deal with only 30 domestic flights per day from Monday, and there will be no domestic services at the Vijaywada and the Vizag airports on Monday, officials said. The first flight on Monday is scheduled to depart from Mumbai for Patna at 4.20 AM. Similarly, the first flight from Delhi airport would depart for Kolkata at 4.30 AM. Both flights are from IndiGo airline. The government last week announced the resumption of domestic flight services from May 25 under specific rules and guidelines like a cap on ticket pricing, wearing of face masks by passengers, no food served onboard planes and making available details of medical conditions by travellers through Aarogya Setu app or by filling up of a self-declaration form. Also read | New guidelines issued for domestic travel; Aarogya Setu app compulsory The government's decision came as the aviation sector was reeling under severe stress triggered by the coronavirus lockdown that began on March 25. However, many states expressed serious reservations about the Centre's decision to start flight services. Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Bihar, Punjab, Assam and Andhra Pradesh have announced their respective quarantine measures for passengers arriving at their airports. Some states decided to put passengers on mandatory institutional quarantine while several others talked about putting them under home quarantine. Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday questioned the need for quarantine if a passenger is shown green status in Aarogya Setu app. The green status signifies that a passenger is safe. However, as the states remained adamant on the matter, the central government is trying to create coherence in quarantine rules for flyers. Bookings have been opened for around 1,050 domestic flights that will operate on Monday. The Uttar Pradesh government said air travellers to the state would be home quarantined for 14 days unless they are staying for less than a week or if they clear the coronavirus test earlier. Passengers will have to follow the laid-down home quarantine protocol. They can get themselves tested for the virus on the sixth day from their arrival and end their quarantine if the results come out negative The Jammu and Kashmir government said on Saturday that all incoming passengers will have to undergo "administrative quarantine" for a fortnight. Similarly, the Kerala government said on Friday that all flyers will be put into 14 days' home quarantine and that it has made an exception for those coming for business purposes or for a short duration. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had said all incoming passengers will be put in home quarantine for 14 days while the Bihar government said that travellers will be put on "paid quarantine" for the same period. Also read | Maha, TN, West Bengal seek delay in restarting flights as coronavirus cases rise Passengers coming to Andhra Pradesh would be put under home quarantine, said the state government, adding that once their test results for COVID-19 come negative, they will be relieved from quarantine. The Assam government on Friday said it will be putting flyers on a 14-day quarantine. The passengers might be distributed equally in home quarantine and government quarantine, it clarified. Karnataka government's health ministry made it clear said that anyone coming from states where there is "high prevalence" of COVID-19 will be kept in institutional quarantine for seven days and if tested COVID-negative, the passenger will have to spend the next seven days in home quarantine. Karnataka has classified Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh as "high prevalence" states. The passengers coming through remaining states in the country to Karnataka will have to undergo 14 days of home quarantine. However, the Karnataka health department clarified that special cases where businessmen are coming for urgent work will not require to undergo any quarantine if they bring test results that are not more than two days old and show them COVID-negative. Puri's announcement on Wednesday that airlines will resume domestic passenger flights from Monday came as a big breather for the aviation sector. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on Sunday issued guidelines for domestic travel, advising passengers to download the Aarogya Setu app on their mobile devices and asking states to ensure thermal screening at the departure point of airports, railway stations and bus terminals. Asymptomatic passengers should be permitted to travel after being asked to self-monitor for 14 days, the ministry said. Dos and Don'ts shall be provided along with tickets to travellers by the agencies concerned, said the ministry's guidelines for domestic travel (air/train/inter-state bus travel). (with inputs from PTI)

Domestic passenger flights to resume on Monday; Mumbai airport to deal with 50 per day

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<p>The government on Sunday said it has extended the validity of various motor vehicles related documents till July 31.</p>

<p>No additional or late fee will be charged for delays in validation of documents pending from February 1, it said.</p>

<p>"In order to facilitate citizens during COVID?19, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) has issued a statutory order prescribing that the fees paid on or after February 1, 2020 for the activity(s) including renewal (of documents) and in case such activity(s) is not completed due to conditions for prevention of COVID-19 pandemic, the fees paid shall continue to remain valid.</p>

<p>"And If there is delay in paying the fees from 1st of Feb, 2020 till the period of lockdown there would not be any additional or late fee to be charged for such delays till 31st July 2020," an official statement said.</p>

<p>The ministry has earlier issued an advisory on March 30, 2020 to all regarding extension of validity of the documents related to Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989.</p>

<p>"It was advised that documents whose extension of validity could not or not likely be granted due to lock-down and which have expired since 1st of Feb, 2020 or would expire till 30th June 2020, Enforcement authorities were advised to treat such documents valid till 30th of June, 2020," an official statement had earlier said.</p>

<p>It has come to the notice of the government that citizens are facing difficulties in respect of various fees/late fees as mandated under rule 32 and 81 of Central Motor Vehicle Rules 1989 due to lockdown in the country and closure of Government Transport Offices, it had said.</p>

<p>There are cases where the fees have already been paid, for the service or renewal, however the process could not be completed due to lockdown, it said adding, further, there are issues where citizen is finding difficult to deposit fees due to closure of RTO offices.&nbsp;</p>


The government on Sunday said it has extended the validity of various motor vehicles related documents till July 31. No additional or late fee will be charged for delays in validation of documents pending from February 1, it said.

The government on Sunday said it has extended the validity of various motor vehicles related documents till July 31. No additional or late fee will be charged for delays in validation of documents pending from February 1, it said. "In order to facilitate citizens during COVID?19, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) has issued a statutory order prescribing that the fees paid on or after February 1, 2020 for the activity(s) including renewal (of documents) and in case such activity(s) is not completed due to conditions for prevention of COVID-19 pandemic, the fees paid shall continue to remain valid. "And If there is delay in paying the fees from 1st of Feb, 2020 till the period of lockdown there would not be any additional or late fee to be charged for such delays till 31st July 2020," an official statement said. The ministry has earlier issued an advisory on March 30, 2020 to all regarding extension of validity of the documents related to Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989. "It was advised that documents whose extension of validity could not or not likely be granted due to lock-down and which have expired since 1st of Feb, 2020 or would expire till 30th June 2020, Enforcement authorities were advised to treat such documents valid till 30th of June, 2020," an official statement had earlier said. It has come to the notice of the government that citizens are facing difficulties in respect of various fees/late fees as mandated under rule 32 and 81 of Central Motor Vehicle Rules 1989 due to lockdown in the country and closure of Government Transport Offices, it had said. There are cases where the fees have already been paid, for the service or renewal, however the process could not be completed due to lockdown, it said adding, further, there are issues where citizen is finding difficult to deposit fees due to closure of RTO offices.

Govt extends validity of vehicle documents till July 31

<p>A woman, who recently gave birth to a child in Madya Pradesh's Burhanpur, has named her son 'Lockdown Yadav' -- as a mark to signify the challenging times he was born in.</p>

<p>Lockdown Yadav has been lucky to fight the crisis and be born while his mother was travelling by the Shramik Express -- a special train service for migrant workers. The newborn baby is lucky also because Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan himself congratulated the woman on her newborn.</p>

<p>Rita Yadav, a resident of Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, went into labour when she was on her way to Mumbai. She&nbsp;was then sent to the district hospital in Burhanpur with the help of the railway authorities and the district administration, where she gave birth to a son.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajasthan-couple-stranded-in-tripura-names-their-newborn-lockdown-293913"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Rajasthan couple stranded in Tripura names their newborn 'Lockdown'</strong></a></p>

<p>Chouhan tweeted, "Our sister was going from Mumbai to her state Uttar Pradesh by Shramik train. In Burhanpur, she was admitted to a hospital where she gave birth to my nephew. Born amid lockdown, the sister decided to name her son as `Lockdown Yadav`. Bless the little Lockdown, good luck! "</p>

<p>Chauhan added, "Lots of love to little Lockdown Yadav! The Burhanpur collector, railway and local staff took good care of our sister and newborn nephew and made arrangements for their hometown, Uttar Pradesh. Thank you for this. Congratulations to the sister and family for the new guest! "</p>

<p>District Magistrate Praveen Singh arranged for a vehicle to send the migrant family back home, and provided clothes, food, beverages and a cash of Rs 5,000 for the child.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/twins-born-during-coronavirus-lockdown-in-raipur-named-corona-and-covid-290283"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Twins, born during coronavirus lockdown in Raipur, named 'Corona' and 'Covid'</strong></a></p>


A woman, who recently gave birth to a child in Madya Pradesh's Burhanpur, has named her son 'Lockdown Yadav' -- as a mark to signify the challenging times he was born in.

A woman, who recently gave birth to a child in Madya Pradesh's Burhanpur, has named her son 'Lockdown Yadav' -- as a mark to signify the challenging times he was born in. Lockdown Yadav has been lucky to fight the crisis and be born while his mother was travelling by the Shramik Express -- a special train service for migrant workers. The newborn baby is lucky also because Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan himself congratulated the woman on her newborn. Rita Yadav, a resident of Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, went into labour when she was on her way to Mumbai. She was then sent to the district hospital in Burhanpur with the help of the railway authorities and the district administration, where she gave birth to a son. Also read | Rajasthan couple stranded in Tripura names their newborn 'Lockdown' Chouhan tweeted, "Our sister was going from Mumbai to her state Uttar Pradesh by Shramik train. In Burhanpur, she was admitted to a hospital where she gave birth to my nephew. Born amid lockdown, the sister decided to name her son as `Lockdown Yadav`. Bless the little Lockdown, good luck! " Chauhan added, "Lots of love to little Lockdown Yadav! The Burhanpur collector, railway and local staff took good care of our sister and newborn nephew and made arrangements for their hometown, Uttar Pradesh. Thank you for this. Congratulations to the sister and family for the new guest! " District Magistrate Praveen Singh arranged for a vehicle to send the migrant family back home, and provided clothes, food, beverages and a cash of Rs 5,000 for the child. Also read | Twins, born during coronavirus lockdown in Raipur, named 'Corona' and 'Covid'

Meet Lockdown Yadav, a newborn that epitomises the coronavirus pandemic

Jammu and Kashmir is celebrating low-key Eid. Watch WION Ground Report from Srinagar.

Muted Eid celebrations in J&K | WION Ground Report from Srinagar

<p>The hampering of routine immunisation of children against 'old enemies' like diphtheria, measles, tetanus and polio during the two-month coronavirus lockdown has triggered serious concerns about a possible resurgence of such vaccine-preventable diseases among them, according to experts.</p>

<p>A report brought out by the World Health Organisation said that world over at least 80 million children under the age of one year are at risk of diseases like diphtheria, measles and polio as COVID-19 outbreak disrupted routine vaccination efforts.</p>

<p>An estimated 20-22 lakh children across the country under the age of one are targeted for vaccination under national programmes every month which translates into approximately 260 lakh children per year, according to official sources.</p>

<p>In the first two phases of the lockdown that spanned 40 days, people could not reach immunisation camps due to unavailability of transport facilities while several states themselves had temporarily suspended vaccination sessions as they were busy in preparations to deal with the pandemic.</p>

<p>According to sources, when the lockdown was announced, states like UP and Bihar, which constitute almost 30 per cent of the national birth cohort (under one year), had stopped vaccination programmes including sessions held in villages, while states like Odisha, Rajasthan, Kerala and Delhi also had paused such drives for a few days.</p>

<p>"Several states had stopped the routine healthcare activities, including immunisation, and the disruption may have led to over 15 lakh children missing out on vaccination completely or partially. States have resumed their services, but have a huge backlog to cover," Chhaya Pachauli, member of the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA), a national platform that co-ordinates activities on healthcare across the country, said.</p>

<p>"With its routine immunisation programmes, India has made significant strides in terms of protecting its children from infectious diseases like polio, measles, tetanus and diphtheria over the years and a delay in vaccination may lead to disastrous results," she said.</p>

<p>However, no official figure was available on how many children missed vaccination during the lockdown period.</p>

<p>According to government sources, many children may have missed immunisation in the initial days of the lockdown but all the states have subsequently resumed the immunisation programmes following talks with the Union health ministry which asked them not to halt vaccination especially in green zones and outside the buffer zones.</p>

<p>"While many other countries stopped immunisation totally due to lockdown and non-supply of vaccines to the session sites, India was able to tide over the situation because of the continuous push from the Centre and the supply chain was also steadily maintained," an official source said.</p>

<p>"After the Union health ministry issued guidelines on carrying out immunisation during COVID-19 outbreak, the states are geared up not only to resume the drive but also to cover the huge backlog," the source said.</p>

<p>According to Dr Yogesh Jain, public health physician at NGO Jan Swasthya Sahayog, the number of children who may have missed vaccination could be way over 15 lakh.</p>

<p>"And the bigger point here is that this missing of vaccine dose is not only a process indicator of how our health systems have failed in the setting of COVID-19, but it actually means a major impact on the outcomes on childhood survival," Jain said.</p>

<p>"Because the vaccines we presently give look at old enemies like diptheria, tetanus, measles and polio and bring back home the greatest fear we had regarding impact of COVID-19 on the health systems. Yes, we will lose some people due to COVID-19 but the much larger impact would be the non-COVID causes of death of which the vaccine-preventable will be one major group," Jain said.</p>

<p>A recent online study conducted by Child Rights and You about ?understanding the effects of COVID- 19 on children' found that 49 per cent of parents or primary caregivers of children aged 0-5 years stated that they could not get access to basic child healthcare such as immunisation during the lockdown.</p>

<p>The impact of non-immunization will be aggravated with the compromised immune system, especially in the vulnerable populations, and push many children towards life-threatening diseases and infections, the CRY said in a statement.</p>

<p>"Global fraternity of science and research is trying to develop the vaccine for COVID-19 and in the meantime, the entire world is struggling with the spread and impact of the virus, including India. The irony is we are not even able to provide the already available vaccination to life-threatening diseases in the lockdown situation," it said.</p>

<p>India needs to be ready to fight back with equipped and adequate frontline health workers, availability of vaccination supply chain, supplementary nutrition packages, improved food and nutrition system, PPE gears for frontline staff and quality improvement of community-based health services like Primary Health Centers, it said.</p>

<p>Anindit Roy-Chowdhury, Director for Programme, Policy and Impact, at child rights NGO Save the Children said access to essential health services in India has become a tremendous concern along with the availability of nutritious food for children.</p>

<p>Quoting WHO's figures that 80 million children have missed their regular immunisation cycle world over, Chowdhury said though the exact numbers are hard to estimate in India, the fact remains that a large proportion of children in the country will be missing their immunisation cycles.</p>

<p>"This is even more true for the most marginalised, the urban and the rural poor. Also, migrant labourer families who have now moved back to their villages have unfortunately not been able to prioritise their children's immunisation... Because food and shelter have become the greatest concern," Chowdhury said.</p>

<p>The Union health ministry on May 21 issued guidelines stating birth dose vaccinations at health facilities would continue irrespective of the categorisation of zones amid the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>

<p>In other cases, providing vaccination doses will only be allowed outside the containment and buffer zones, and in green zones.</p>

<p>An area enlisted as a ''containment or buffer zone'' should stop health facility-based sessions and outreach sessions, but someone who walks into a health facility to get their child vaccinated should not be turned away.&nbsp;</p>


The hampering of routine immunisation of children against 'old enemies' like diphtheria, measles, tetanus and polio during the two-month coronavirus lockdown has triggered serious concerns about a possible resurgence of such vaccine-preventable diseases among them, according to experts.

The hampering of routine immunisation of children against 'old enemies' like diphtheria, measles, tetanus and polio during the two-month coronavirus lockdown has triggered serious concerns about a possible resurgence of such vaccine-preventable diseases among them, according to experts. A report brought out by the World Health Organisation said that world over at least 80 million children under the age of one year are at risk of diseases like diphtheria, measles and polio as COVID-19 outbreak disrupted routine vaccination efforts. An estimated 20-22 lakh children across the country under the age of one are targeted for vaccination under national programmes every month which translates into approximately 260 lakh children per year, according to official sources. In the first two phases of the lockdown that spanned 40 days, people could not reach immunisation camps due to unavailability of transport facilities while several states themselves had temporarily suspended vaccination sessions as they were busy in preparations to deal with the pandemic. According to sources, when the lockdown was announced, states like UP and Bihar, which constitute almost 30 per cent of the national birth cohort (under one year), had stopped vaccination programmes including sessions held in villages, while states like Odisha, Rajasthan, Kerala and Delhi also had paused such drives for a few days. "Several states had stopped the routine healthcare activities, including immunisation, and the disruption may have led to over 15 lakh children missing out on vaccination completely or partially. States have resumed their services, but have a huge backlog to cover," Chhaya Pachauli, member of the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA), a national platform that co-ordinates activities on healthcare across the country, said. "With its routine immunisation programmes, India has made significant strides in terms of protecting its children from infectious diseases like polio, measles, tetanus and diphtheria over the years and a delay in vaccination may lead to disastrous results," she said. However, no official figure was available on how many children missed vaccination during the lockdown period. According to government sources, many children may have missed immunisation in the initial days of the lockdown but all the states have subsequently resumed the immunisation programmes following talks with the Union health ministry which asked them not to halt vaccination especially in green zones and outside the buffer zones. "While many other countries stopped immunisation totally due to lockdown and non-supply of vaccines to the session sites, India was able to tide over the situation because of the continuous push from the Centre and the supply chain was also steadily maintained," an official source said. "After the Union health ministry issued guidelines on carrying out immunisation during COVID-19 outbreak, the states are geared up not only to resume the drive but also to cover the huge backlog," the source said. According to Dr Yogesh Jain, public health physician at NGO Jan Swasthya Sahayog, the number of children who may have missed vaccination could be way over 15 lakh. "And the bigger point here is that this missing of vaccine dose is not only a process indicator of how our health systems have failed in the setting of COVID-19, but it actually means a major impact on the outcomes on childhood survival," Jain said. "Because the vaccines we presently give look at old enemies like diptheria, tetanus, measles and polio and bring back home the greatest fear we had regarding impact of COVID-19 on the health systems. Yes, we will lose some people due to COVID-19 but the much larger impact would be the non-COVID causes of death of which the vaccine-preventable will be one major group," Jain said. A recent online study conducted by Child Rights and You about ?understanding the effects of COVID- 19 on children' found that 49 per cent of parents or primary caregivers of children aged 0-5 years stated that they could not get access to basic child healthcare such as immunisation during the lockdown. The impact of non-immunization will be aggravated with the compromised immune system, especially in the vulnerable populations, and push many children towards life-threatening diseases and infections, the CRY said in a statement. "Global fraternity of science and research is trying to develop the vaccine for COVID-19 and in the meantime, the entire world is struggling with the spread and impact of the virus, including India. The irony is we are not even able to provide the already available vaccination to life-threatening diseases in the lockdown situation," it said. India needs to be ready to fight back with equipped and adequate frontline health workers, availability of vaccination supply chain, supplementary nutrition packages, improved food and nutrition system, PPE gears for frontline staff and quality improvement of community-based health services like Primary Health Centers, it said. Anindit Roy-Chowdhury, Director for Programme, Policy and Impact, at child rights NGO Save the Children said access to essential health services in India has become a tremendous concern along with the availability of nutritious food for children. Quoting WHO's figures that 80 million children have missed their regular immunisation cycle world over, Chowdhury said though the exact numbers are hard to estimate in India, the fact remains that a large proportion of children in the country will be missing their immunisation cycles. "This is even more true for the most marginalised, the urban and the rural poor. Also, migrant labourer families who have now moved back to their villages have unfortunately not been able to prioritise their children's immunisation... Because food and shelter have become the greatest concern," Chowdhury said. The Union health ministry on May 21 issued guidelines stating birth dose vaccinations at health facilities would continue irrespective of the categorisation of zones amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In other cases, providing vaccination doses will only be allowed outside the containment and buffer zones, and in green zones. An area enlisted as a ''containment or buffer zone'' should stop health facility-based sessions and outreach sessions, but someone who walks into a health facility to get their child vaccinated should not be turned away.

COVID-19 impact: Concern over possible resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases among children

<p>Three employees at Hyundai Motor Co's Indian plant have tested positive for the coronavirus, days after the automaker resumed operations post a near two-month lockdown.</p>

<p>Test results of 16 more workers who possibly came into contact with the infected employees are expected over the next two days.</p>

<p>The South Korean automaker restarted operations at the plant on May 8. It said the three employees started showing mild symptoms of coughs and cold in the first week of restarting and were tested positive.</p>

<p>They are being treated, Hyundai's India spokesman said in a statement.</p>

<p>One employee at Maruti Suzuki India in the northern city of Manesar has also tested positive and there may be the possibility of a second case.</p>


Three employees at Hyundai Motor Co's Indian plant have tested positive for the coronavirus, days after the automaker resumed operations post a near two-month lockdown.

Three employees at Hyundai Motor Co's Indian plant have tested positive for the coronavirus, days after the automaker resumed operations post a near two-month lockdown. Test results of 16 more workers who possibly came into contact with the infected employees are expected over the next two days. The South Korean automaker restarted operations at the plant on May 8. It said the three employees started showing mild symptoms of coughs and cold in the first week of restarting and were tested positive. They are being treated, Hyundai's India spokesman said in a statement. One employee at Maruti Suzuki India in the northern city of Manesar has also tested positive and there may be the possibility of a second case.

Three workers at Hyundai India get coronavirus, showing restart risks

Watch today in 'WION In Focus': Some stories related to coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. #WION #Coronavirus #COVID19

WION In Focus: Some stories related to coronavirus pandemic | COVID-19 | Coronavirus News

<p>UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's top aide is facing increasing pressure to quit as further allegations emerged of him breaching the coronavirus lockdown rules.</p>

<p>Dominic Cummings, Johnson's Chief Strategy Advisor, on Saturday defended a 250-mile journey to his parents' home in Durham, north-east England, as reasonable and legal, and the UK prime minister has so far stuck by him with Downing Street reiterating the same line.</p>

<p>However, Johnson now faces a revolt from within his own Conservative MPs over his decision to not sack Cummings as fresh allegations emerged of the aide making repeated trips in breach of the government's stay-at-home guidlines to curb the spread of the deadly virus.</p>

<p>The 'Observer' and 'Sunday Mirror' have reported that Cummings was seen in the north east of England on two more occasions, after recovering from his COVID-19 symptoms.</p>

<p>On Sunday, newspapers report that witnesses saw Cummings in Barnard Castle, more than 25 miles from Durham, on April 12.</p>

<p>Two days later, on April 14, he was seen in London. According to a witness, he was spotted again in Houghall Woods near Durham on April 19.</p>

<p>Downing Street, however, branded the reports as inaccurate.</p>

<p>"Yesterday the Mirror and Guardian wrote inaccurate stories about Mr Cummings. Today they are writing more inaccurate stories including claims that Mr Cummings returned to Durham after returning to work in Downing Street on 14 April," a Downing Street statement said, in his defence.</p>

<p>"We will not waste our time answering a stream of false allegations about Mr Cummings from campaigning newspapers," it added.</p>

<p>Cummings, also, denies a breach of the coronavirus rules, saying he needed childcare help after his wife also developed COVID-19 symptoms and they drove to Durham to stay in a separate building at his parents' property.</p>

<p>The UK Cabinet has, meanwhile, largely rallied around Cummings, with Indian-origin finance minister Rishi Sunak saying: "Taking care of your wife and young child is justifiable and reasonable, trying to score political points over it isn't."</p>

<p>To this end, backbench Tory MP and former chairman of the European Research Group (ERG) Steve Baker called for Cummings to resign. Fellow Conservative MP Simon Hoare has also called for Cummings to "consider his position" and Tory MP Damian Collins has said the government "would be better without him".</p>

<p>A YouGov poll on Saturday found that 68 per cent of voters think Cummings broke the lockdown, while just 18 per cent disagreed. By a margin of 52 per cent to 28 per cent they think he should resign.</p>

<p>Opposition parties -- Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National Party -- have written to Sir Mark Sedwill, the UK Cabinet Secretary, calling for an urgent inquiry into the allegations.</p>


UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's top aide is facing increasing pressure to quit as further allegations emerged of him breaching the coronavirus lockdown rules. Dominic Cummings, Johnson's Chief Strategy Advisor, on Saturday defended a 250-mile journey to his parents' home in Durham, north-east England, as reasonable and legal, and the UK prime minister has so far stuck by him with Downing Street reiterating the same line.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's top aide is facing increasing pressure to quit as further allegations emerged of him breaching the coronavirus lockdown rules. Dominic Cummings, Johnson's Chief Strategy Advisor, on Saturday defended a 250-mile journey to his parents' home in Durham, north-east England, as reasonable and legal, and the UK prime minister has so far stuck by him with Downing Street reiterating the same line. However, Johnson now faces a revolt from within his own Conservative MPs over his decision to not sack Cummings as fresh allegations emerged of the aide making repeated trips in breach of the government's stay-at-home guidlines to curb the spread of the deadly virus. The 'Observer' and 'Sunday Mirror' have reported that Cummings was seen in the north east of England on two more occasions, after recovering from his COVID-19 symptoms. On Sunday, newspapers report that witnesses saw Cummings in Barnard Castle, more than 25 miles from Durham, on April 12. Two days later, on April 14, he was seen in London. According to a witness, he was spotted again in Houghall Woods near Durham on April 19. Downing Street, however, branded the reports as inaccurate. "Yesterday the Mirror and Guardian wrote inaccurate stories about Mr Cummings. Today they are writing more inaccurate stories including claims that Mr Cummings returned to Durham after returning to work in Downing Street on 14 April," a Downing Street statement said, in his defence. "We will not waste our time answering a stream of false allegations about Mr Cummings from campaigning newspapers," it added. Cummings, also, denies a breach of the coronavirus rules, saying he needed childcare help after his wife also developed COVID-19 symptoms and they drove to Durham to stay in a separate building at his parents' property. The UK Cabinet has, meanwhile, largely rallied around Cummings, with Indian-origin finance minister Rishi Sunak saying: "Taking care of your wife and young child is justifiable and reasonable, trying to score political points over it isn't." To this end, backbench Tory MP and former chairman of the European Research Group (ERG) Steve Baker called for Cummings to resign. Fellow Conservative MP Simon Hoare has also called for Cummings to "consider his position" and Tory MP Damian Collins has said the government "would be better without him". A YouGov poll on Saturday found that 68 per cent of voters think Cummings broke the lockdown, while just 18 per cent disagreed. By a margin of 52 per cent to 28 per cent they think he should resign. Opposition parties -- Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National Party -- have written to Sir Mark Sedwill, the UK Cabinet Secretary, calling for an urgent inquiry into the allegations.

Pressure mounts on Britain PM aide to quit amid more lockdown breach claims

Streets were emptied, parks were vacant and prayer grounds silent as the new coronavirus outbreak turned this year's Eid al-Fitr into a solemn and muted celebration in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan: Eid festivities banned to contain COVID-19 outbreak

<p>Two hairstylists in United States' Missouri potentially exposed 140 clients to coronavirus when they worked for up to eight days this month while symptomatic.</p>

<p>One of the two stylists may have exposed 56 clients at the same salon.</p>

<p>Another hairstylist with coronavirus at the same salon potentially exposed 84 customers and seven coworkers.</p>

<p>Both stylists had symptoms while at work, officials said. They worked from the second week of May till Wednesday.</p>

<p>The salon kept impeccable records that made contact tracing possible, an official said</p>

<p>The salon where the employees work has been closed and it's currently undergoing additional sanitising and deep cleaning.</p>

<p>More than 96,000 people have died from coronavirus in the United States, where the number of confirmed cases is more than 1.6 million. Missouri has nearly 12,000 cases of infections and more than 650 deaths.</p>


Two hairstylists in United States' Missouri potentially exposed 140 clients to coronavirus when they worked for up to eight days this month while symptomatic. One of the two stylists may have exposed 56 clients at the same salon.

Two hairstylists in United States' Missouri potentially exposed 140 clients to coronavirus when they worked for up to eight days this month while symptomatic. One of the two stylists may have exposed 56 clients at the same salon. Another hairstylist with coronavirus at the same salon potentially exposed 84 customers and seven coworkers. Both stylists had symptoms while at work, officials said. They worked from the second week of May till Wednesday. The salon kept impeccable records that made contact tracing possible, an official said The salon where the employees work has been closed and it's currently undergoing additional sanitising and deep cleaning. More than 96,000 people have died from coronavirus in the United States, where the number of confirmed cases is more than 1.6 million. Missouri has nearly 12,000 cases of infections and more than 650 deaths.

Two hairstylists in US potentially exposed 140 people to coronavirus

<p>Three large Indian states have sought to delay the planned opening of their airports on Monday as new cases of the novel coronavirus jumped by a record. They say the rise has complicated the government's plan to resume flights after a two-month lockdown.</p>

<p>India registered 6,767 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Sunday, the country's biggest 24 hour jump yet, taking the total to over 1,31,000.</p>

<p>Amid this crisis, India is gradually reopening its economy after lockdown 4.0, and airlines are preparing to resume about a third of their domestic flight operations from Monday.</p>

<p>To this end, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal -- all major business hubs and home to the country's busiest airports -- have said they are not prepared to open for flights amid rising coronavirus cases, according to Reuters.</p>

<p>Maharashtra has reported nearly 29,000 positive infections, almost a fifth of reported cases in the country.</p>

<p>"It's extremely ill-advised to reopen airports in the red zone," Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said on Twitter on Sunday.</p>

<p>Airlines including IndiGo, India's biggest carrier, SpiceJet Ltd and Vistara, a joint venture between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines are preparing to restart some operations from Monday.</p>

<p>Budget carrier GoAir, however, said it would resume flight operations from June 1 as it awaits clarity on the readiness of states and their airports.</p>

<p>Tamil Nadu has asked India's civil aviation ministry to defer the operation of flights from Chennai airport until the end of May due to rising cases in the city, a Reuters report said.</p>

<p>West Bengal has also urged the central government to postpone the resumption of passenger flights to Kolkata as it focusses on rescue work after Cyclone Amphan hit the city.</p>


Three large Indian states have sought to delay the planned opening of their airports on Monday as new cases of the novel coronavirus jumped by a record. They say the rise has complicated the government's plan to resume flights after a two-month lockdown.

Three large Indian states have sought to delay the planned opening of their airports on Monday as new cases of the novel coronavirus jumped by a record. They say the rise has complicated the government's plan to resume flights after a two-month lockdown. India registered 6,767 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Sunday, the country's biggest 24 hour jump yet, taking the total to over 1,31,000. Amid this crisis, India is gradually reopening its economy after lockdown 4.0, and airlines are preparing to resume about a third of their domestic flight operations from Monday. To this end, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal -- all major business hubs and home to the country's busiest airports -- have said they are not prepared to open for flights amid rising coronavirus cases, according to Reuters. Maharashtra has reported nearly 29,000 positive infections, almost a fifth of reported cases in the country. "It's extremely ill-advised to reopen airports in the red zone," Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said on Twitter on Sunday. Airlines including IndiGo, India's biggest carrier, SpiceJet Ltd and Vistara, a joint venture between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines are preparing to restart some operations from Monday. Budget carrier GoAir, however, said it would resume flight operations from June 1 as it awaits clarity on the readiness of states and their airports. Tamil Nadu has asked India's civil aviation ministry to defer the operation of flights from Chennai airport until the end of May due to rising cases in the city, a Reuters report said. West Bengal has also urged the central government to postpone the resumption of passenger flights to Kolkata as it focusses on rescue work after Cyclone Amphan hit the city.

Maha, TN, West Bengal seek delay in restarting flights as coronavirus cases rise

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<p>COVID-19 dominated the draft resolution to be presented at the 75th anniversary of United Nation come September when the general assembly meets. The resolution seen by WION lists out 12 commitments with pandemic reminding "us in the most powerful way that we are only as strong as our weakest link"</p>

<p>One of the key commitments is&nbsp;reforming the UN, with the focus being "upgrade" of the New York-headquartered body.</p>

<p>Recalling that "world of today is very different from what it was when the UN was created 75 years ago", the Zero draft resolution or the first draft said, "there are more countries, more people, more challenges but also more solutions" and "we support the ongoing reforms by the secretary-general..they are creating a more agile and effective organization that can deliver in the field and adapt to crisis like the COVID"</p>

<p>The resolution said, "We commit to instil new life in the discussions on the reforms of the security council and continue the work to revitalize the general assembly and strengthen the economic and social council"</p>

<p>UNSC has been found missing on the COVID-19 crisis, and even after more than 5 months when the first case was reported in China's Wuhan the body has not been able to come out with a resolution on the development. A Franco-Tunisian resolution was presented to the core UN body, but due to US-China till and use of language, the draft could not be passed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 75th anniversary UN draft also calls for preparing by learning and sharing experience and information in "order to make our system more resilient" since COVID-19 "caught us off guard". The draft resolution under the commitment to "protect the planet" called COVID "historic opportunity to build back better" and need to "immediately curb greenhouse gas emission".</p>

<p>The commitments include that no one is left behind, protection of plant, ensuring peace and security, abide by international rules and norms, put women at the centre, built trust, promote the use of new technologies for benefit of all, ensure financing and boost partnership.</p>

<p>The co-facilitators for intergovernmental consultations on the resolution's text are Permanent Representative of Qatar Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani &amp; Permanent Representative of Sweden Anna Karin Eneström.</p>


COVID-19 dominated the draft resolution to be presented at the 75th anniversary of United Nation come September when the general assembly meets. The resolution seen by WION lists out 12 commitments with pandemic reminding "us in the most powerful way that we are only as strong as our weakest link" One of the key commitments is reforming the UN, with the focus being "upgrade" of the New York-headquartered body.

COVID-19 dominated the draft resolution to be presented at the 75th anniversary of United Nation come September when the general assembly meets. The resolution seen by WION lists out 12 commitments with pandemic reminding "us in the most powerful way that we are only as strong as our weakest link" One of the key commitments is reforming the UN, with the focus being "upgrade" of the New York-headquartered body. Recalling that "world of today is very different from what it was when the UN was created 75 years ago", the Zero draft resolution or the first draft said, "there are more countries, more people, more challenges but also more solutions" and "we support the ongoing reforms by the secretary-general..they are creating a more agile and effective organization that can deliver in the field and adapt to crisis like the COVID" The resolution said, "We commit to instil new life in the discussions on the reforms of the security council and continue the work to revitalize the general assembly and strengthen the economic and social council" UNSC has been found missing on the COVID-19 crisis, and even after more than 5 months when the first case was reported in China's Wuhan the body has not been able to come out with a resolution on the development. A Franco-Tunisian resolution was presented to the core UN body, but due to US-China till and use of language, the draft could not be passed. The 75th anniversary UN draft also calls for preparing by learning and sharing experience and information in "order to make our system more resilient" since COVID-19 "caught us off guard". The draft resolution under the commitment to "protect the planet" called COVID "historic opportunity to build back better" and need to "immediately curb greenhouse gas emission". The commitments include that no one is left behind, protection of plant, ensuring peace and security, abide by international rules and norms, put women at the centre, built trust, promote the use of new technologies for benefit of all, ensure financing and boost partnership. The co-facilitators for intergovernmental consultations on the resolution's text are Permanent Representative of Qatar Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani & Permanent Representative of Sweden Anna Karin Eneström.

COVID-19 dominates UN resolution for 75th anniversary; calls for reforms

<p>Coronavirus cases in India on Saturday saw the highest single-day spike for the second consecutive day with 6,654 new infections reported in a 24-hour span, taking the tally to over 1.25 lakh, while the death toll rose to 3,720 after 137 more fatalities, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).</p>

<p>The total of 1,25,101 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus pandemic includes foreigners.</p>

<p>Of the 137 deaths reported since Friday morning, 63 were in Maharashtra, 29 in Gujarat, 14 each from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, six from West Bengal, four from Tamil Nadu, two each from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, and one from Haryana.</p>

<p>Of the total toll of 3,720, Maharashtra tops the tally with 1,517 deaths, followed by Gujarat at 802, Madhya Pradesh at 272, West Bengal at 265 and Delhi at 208.</p>

<p>The number of deaths due to the contagion in Rajasthan is 153, while 152 people died in Uttar Pradesh, 98 in Tamil Nadu and 55 in Andhra Pradesh.</p>

<p>The COVID-19 death toll reached 45 in Telangana, 41 in Karnataka and 39 in Punjab. There are 20 fatalities in Jammu and Kashmir, 16 in Haryana and 11 in Bihar.</p>

<p>Seven people have succumbed to the disease in Odisha, and four each in Kerala and Assam so far.</p>

<p>Jharkhand, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh each have recorded three deaths each, while there is a fatality each in Meghalaya and Uttarakhand, the ministry said. More than 70 percent of the deaths are due to comorbidities, according to the ministry website.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, in a significant development, a high-level committee of experts was formed by the government to recommend reforms in India's drug regulatory system so that approval processes can be fast-tracked.</p>

<p>Faced with the ominous threat of the coronavirus infection, a number of steps such as fast-tracking the approval process for drugs, research and vaccine development were taken.</p>

<p>A health ministry official said the aim of the panel is to identify and institutionalise these measures.</p>

<p>Eleven municipal areas in seven states and union territories that have accounted for 70 per cent of India's coronavirus case load were asked by the government on Saturday to step up monitoring in old cities, urban slums and other high density pockets like camps and clusters for migrant workers for management of COVID-19 cases.</p>

<p>These 11 municipal areas are from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan and account for 70 per cent of active case load, the Union health ministry said.</p>

<p>Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan who held a high-level meeting through video conferencing with principal health secretaries and municipal commissioners along with other officials from the 11 municipal areas urged them to focus on prevention through active screening of high risk and vulnerable population along with effective and sturdy clinical management of the admitted cases to reduce fatality rate.</p>

<p>During the meeting, a presentation was made to highlight the trend in case trajectory with respect to total confirmed cases, case fatality rate, doubling time, tests per million and confirmation percentage, the ministry said.</p>

<p>"It was told that major challenge lies in those corporations having shorter doubling time, higher mortality rate and a higher confirmation rate than the national average," the ministry said in its statement.</p>

<p>The officials were briefed about the factors to be considered while mapping the containment and buffer zones and the activities mandated in containment zone like perimeter control, active search for cases through house to house surveillance, contact tracing, clinical management of the active cases.</p>

<p>They were also asked to undertake surveillance activities in the buffer zone like monitoring of SARI/ILI cases and promoting social distancing and hand hygiene among others.</p>

<p>The officials were also urged to focus on prevention through active screening of high risk and vulnerable population and groups, and effective and sturdy clinical management of the admitted cases to reduce fatality rate.</p>

<p>While many have operationalised 24x7 state control rooms, others could also follow the lead and start such units which shall not only provide assistance to the people for various facilities and services regarding COVID-19 management, but also have a panel of domain experts and doctors to provide round the clock support and mentoring for clinical issues which shall effectively contribute to reducing fatality rate, the statement said.</p>

<p>"It was pointed out that testing needs to stepped up in some municipal areas to ensure early detection of cases, timely clinical management and a reduction in fatality rate," it said.</p>

<p>They also need to be mindful of ramping up the health infrastructure to ensure preparedness for the next two months with special focus on isolation beds with oxygen, ventilators and ICU beds.</p>

<p>Other issues that need focussed attention include active coordination with government and private labs to address delays in sample collection, partnership with private hospitals to augment the health and bed capacity, waste disposal, management of camps for migrant labourers and creating awareness regarding issues such as stigmatisation of patients in local languages, by involving community leaders, youth groups among others.</p>

<p>The measures taken and best practices followed by the municipal corporations for the management of COVID-19 cases were also discussed, the statement stated.</p>

<p>Mumbai Municipal Commissioner briefed about establishing close cooperation between private hospitals and municipal authorities to pool the health infrastructure like ICU or oxygen beds etc.</p>

<p>They shall also soon make public the online portal displaying the bed availability with unique ID numbers for each bed, and also set up a GPS backed online ambulance tracking system, the statement said.</p>

<p>According to the ministry bulletin, the active cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) rose to 69,597, while 51,783 people have recovered and a patient has migrated.</p>

<p><em><strong>(with inputs from PTI)</strong></em></p>


Coronavirus cases in India on Saturday saw the highest single-day spike for the second consecutive day with 6,654 new infections reported in a 24-hour span, taking the tally to over 1.

Coronavirus cases in India on Saturday saw the highest single-day spike for the second consecutive day with 6,654 new infections reported in a 24-hour span, taking the tally to over 1.25 lakh, while the death toll rose to 3,720 after 137 more fatalities, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). The total of 1,25,101 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus pandemic includes foreigners. Of the 137 deaths reported since Friday morning, 63 were in Maharashtra, 29 in Gujarat, 14 each from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, six from West Bengal, four from Tamil Nadu, two each from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, and one from Haryana. Of the total toll of 3,720, Maharashtra tops the tally with 1,517 deaths, followed by Gujarat at 802, Madhya Pradesh at 272, West Bengal at 265 and Delhi at 208. The number of deaths due to the contagion in Rajasthan is 153, while 152 people died in Uttar Pradesh, 98 in Tamil Nadu and 55 in Andhra Pradesh. The COVID-19 death toll reached 45 in Telangana, 41 in Karnataka and 39 in Punjab. There are 20 fatalities in Jammu and Kashmir, 16 in Haryana and 11 in Bihar. Seven people have succumbed to the disease in Odisha, and four each in Kerala and Assam so far. Jharkhand, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh each have recorded three deaths each, while there is a fatality each in Meghalaya and Uttarakhand, the ministry said. More than 70 percent of the deaths are due to comorbidities, according to the ministry website. Meanwhile, in a significant development, a high-level committee of experts was formed by the government to recommend reforms in India's drug regulatory system so that approval processes can be fast-tracked. Faced with the ominous threat of the coronavirus infection, a number of steps such as fast-tracking the approval process for drugs, research and vaccine development were taken. A health ministry official said the aim of the panel is to identify and institutionalise these measures. Eleven municipal areas in seven states and union territories that have accounted for 70 per cent of India's coronavirus case load were asked by the government on Saturday to step up monitoring in old cities, urban slums and other high density pockets like camps and clusters for migrant workers for management of COVID-19 cases. These 11 municipal areas are from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan and account for 70 per cent of active case load, the Union health ministry said. Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan who held a high-level meeting through video conferencing with principal health secretaries and municipal commissioners along with other officials from the 11 municipal areas urged them to focus on prevention through active screening of high risk and vulnerable population along with effective and sturdy clinical management of the admitted cases to reduce fatality rate. During the meeting, a presentation was made to highlight the trend in case trajectory with respect to total confirmed cases, case fatality rate, doubling time, tests per million and confirmation percentage, the ministry said. "It was told that major challenge lies in those corporations having shorter doubling time, higher mortality rate and a higher confirmation rate than the national average," the ministry said in its statement. The officials were briefed about the factors to be considered while mapping the containment and buffer zones and the activities mandated in containment zone like perimeter control, active search for cases through house to house surveillance, contact tracing, clinical management of the active cases. They were also asked to undertake surveillance activities in the buffer zone like monitoring of SARI/ILI cases and promoting social distancing and hand hygiene among others. The officials were also urged to focus on prevention through active screening of high risk and vulnerable population and groups, and effective and sturdy clinical management of the admitted cases to reduce fatality rate. While many have operationalised 24x7 state control rooms, others could also follow the lead and start such units which shall not only provide assistance to the people for various facilities and services regarding COVID-19 management, but also have a panel of domain experts and doctors to provide round the clock support and mentoring for clinical issues which shall effectively contribute to reducing fatality rate, the statement said. "It was pointed out that testing needs to stepped up in some municipal areas to ensure early detection of cases, timely clinical management and a reduction in fatality rate," it said. They also need to be mindful of ramping up the health infrastructure to ensure preparedness for the next two months with special focus on isolation beds with oxygen, ventilators and ICU beds. Other issues that need focussed attention include active coordination with government and private labs to address delays in sample collection, partnership with private hospitals to augment the health and bed capacity, waste disposal, management of camps for migrant labourers and creating awareness regarding issues such as stigmatisation of patients in local languages, by involving community leaders, youth groups among others. The measures taken and best practices followed by the municipal corporations for the management of COVID-19 cases were also discussed, the statement stated. Mumbai Municipal Commissioner briefed about establishing close cooperation between private hospitals and municipal authorities to pool the health infrastructure like ICU or oxygen beds etc. They shall also soon make public the online portal displaying the bed availability with unique ID numbers for each bed, and also set up a GPS backed online ambulance tracking system, the statement said. According to the ministry bulletin, the active cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) rose to 69,597, while 51,783 people have recovered and a patient has migrated. (with inputs from PTI)

Record jump in India's coronavirus tally for second consecutive day, 137 more deaths

<p>Sikkim reported its first COVID-19 case on Saturday as a 25-year-old student who recently returned from Delhi tested positive for the disease, a senior official said.</p>

<p>The sample of the student was sent to the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital in Siliguri for testing. The report came back positive, Health Department Director General-cum-Secretary Pempa Tshering Bhutia told reporters here.</p>

<p>The student, who hails from Rabangla in South Sikkim district, is undergoing treatment at the Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial (STNM) Hospital here, he said.</p>

<p>The student was in Delhi to prepare for competitive examinations.</p>

<p>He travelled on a private bus from New Delhi to Siliguri last week and then took a SNT bus to Melli Check post on May 19, Bhutia said.</p>

<p>He was lodged at one of the designated quarantine centres in the South district, the official added.</p>

<p>He showed coronavirus-like symptoms of fever and chill on May 21 and was immediately shifted to the STNM Hospital, Bhutia said.</p>

<p>His sample was tested on the TrueNat machine at the STNM Hospital and it was found positive, the official said, adding his sample was sent to the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital for RTPCR test to further confirm the status.</p>

<p>The report came back as positive, Bhutia said.</p>

<p>The student's co-passengers who travelled to Sikkim via Melli checkpost are in quarantine and the bus driver has also been tested, he said.</p>

<p>Though the COVID-19 patient was initially symptomatic, he is now asymptomatic and stable, Bhutia added.</p>


Sikkim reported its first COVID-19 case on Saturday as a 25-year-old student who recently returned from Delhi tested positive for the disease, a senior official said.

Sikkim reported its first COVID-19 case on Saturday as a 25-year-old student who recently returned from Delhi tested positive for the disease, a senior official said. The sample of the student was sent to the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital in Siliguri for testing. The report came back positive, Health Department Director General-cum-Secretary Pempa Tshering Bhutia told reporters here. The student, who hails from Rabangla in South Sikkim district, is undergoing treatment at the Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial (STNM) Hospital here, he said. The student was in Delhi to prepare for competitive examinations. He travelled on a private bus from New Delhi to Siliguri last week and then took a SNT bus to Melli Check post on May 19, Bhutia said. He was lodged at one of the designated quarantine centres in the South district, the official added. He showed coronavirus-like symptoms of fever and chill on May 21 and was immediately shifted to the STNM Hospital, Bhutia said. His sample was tested on the TrueNat machine at the STNM Hospital and it was found positive, the official said, adding his sample was sent to the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital for RTPCR test to further confirm the status. The report came back as positive, Bhutia said. The student's co-passengers who travelled to Sikkim via Melli checkpost are in quarantine and the bus driver has also been tested, he said. Though the COVID-19 patient was initially symptomatic, he is now asymptomatic and stable, Bhutia added.

Sikkim reports first COVID-19 case as Delhi returnee tests positive

The French envoy to India Emmanuel Lenain has said India and France have increased cooperation at the current times of COVID crisis and both are with both "are friends in happy times, and in rough times". Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, ambassador Emmanuel Lenain said, both "have been supporting each other" and "India has been exemplary in providing drugs, medical equipment when needed". Meanwhile, French development agency AFD is working to provide a special loan of 200 million euro to finance and support some health programmes in India.

Exclusive: French envoy to India Emmanuel Lenain speaks to WION

<p>More than 40 people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus following a church service in Frankfurt, earlier this month.</p>

<p>The service took place on May 10 at a Baptist church. It's being said the church did not violate official guidelines aimed at containing the spread of the virus.</p>

<p>Only one person has been admitted to hospital ever since.</p>

<p>Churches in the German state of Hesse, where Frankfurt is located, have been able to hold services since May 1 given they adhere to official social distancing and hygiene rules.</p>


More than 40 people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus following a church service in Frankfurt, earlier this month. The service took place on May 10 at a Baptist church.

More than 40 people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus following a church service in Frankfurt, earlier this month. The service took place on May 10 at a Baptist church. It's being said the church did not violate official guidelines aimed at containing the spread of the virus. Only one person has been admitted to hospital ever since. Churches in the German state of Hesse, where Frankfurt is located, have been able to hold services since May 1 given they adhere to official social distancing and hygiene rules.

More than 40 test positive for coronavirus after Frankfurt church service

<p>Amid global pandemic, HBO is cancelling this year's annual Emmy after-party and other For Your Consideration (FYC) events and using that money for COVID-19 relief fund.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
On Friday, HBO announced that they would be donating $1 million to the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles Emergency COVID-19 Crisis Fund.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/daytime-emmys-making-its-comeback-on-tv-300170">Daytime Emmys making its comeback on TV</a><br />
<br />
''On behalf of Bob Greenblatt and myself, we are proud to make this contribution from HBO instead of using it for our traditional Emmy party and FYC events,''&nbsp;said Casey Bloys, president, HBO Programming.&nbsp;</p>

<p>''I am tremendously proud of all of our shows in Emmy contention this year, and I am hopeful they will receive the recognition I believe is richly deserved for all of our talented collaborators, in front of and behind the camera. We look forward to being able to get back to the work we love," he added</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment-news/emmys-fyc-calendar-gets-pushed-by-tv-academy-due-to-covid-19-pandemic-289056">Emmys FYC calendar gets pushed by TV Academy due to COVID-19 pandemic</a><br />
<br />
The Emmys are still scheduled for September 20. Like many other annual events, Daytime Emmys, has shifted to a remote at-home format this year.<br />
<br />
The money will be used to fund families and small businesses, relief for healthcare workers, critical healthcare equipment, victims of domestic violence and many more.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Amid global pandemic, HBO is cancelling this year's annual Emmy after-party and other For Your Consideration (FYC) events and using that money for COVID-19 relief fund.

Amid global pandemic, HBO is cancelling this year's annual Emmy after-party and other For Your Consideration (FYC) events and using that money for COVID-19 relief fund. On Friday, HBO announced that they would be donating $1 million to the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles Emergency COVID-19 Crisis Fund. Also read: Daytime Emmys making its comeback on TV ''On behalf of Bob Greenblatt and myself, we are proud to make this contribution from HBO instead of using it for our traditional Emmy party and FYC events,'' said Casey Bloys, president, HBO Programming. ''I am tremendously proud of all of our shows in Emmy contention this year, and I am hopeful they will receive the recognition I believe is richly deserved for all of our talented collaborators, in front of and behind the camera. We look forward to being able to get back to the work we love," he added Also read: Emmys FYC calendar gets pushed by TV Academy due to COVID-19 pandemic The Emmys are still scheduled for September 20. Like many other annual events, Daytime Emmys, has shifted to a remote at-home format this year. The money will be used to fund families and small businesses, relief for healthcare workers, critical healthcare equipment, victims of domestic violence and many more.

HBO to donate $1 Million to COVID-19 relief fund, after cancelling FYC & Emmy party

<p>The United States has approved a possible sale of thousands of armoured vehicles to the United Arab Emirates, clearing it of any past wrongdoing.</p>

<p>Point in context is the evidence that the Gulf state had earlier made unauthorised transfers of American military hardware to armed groups in Yemen.</p>

<p>Under the UAE and Saudi Arabia's arms sales agreements with the US, American-made MRAPs are considered "proprietary technology," which neither party is supposed to let out of its control.</p>

<p>Yemen is embroiled in a civil war that has pitted a coalition backed by Saudi Arabia and the UAE -- both key US allies -- against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.</p>

<p>The presence of American-made weaponry has only helped to fuel the fighting.</p>

<p>A CNN investigation last year had revealed that both American allies had given US-made equipment to fighting factions in Yemen, despite their agreements with Washington.</p>

<p>Under those agreements, the UAE and Saudi Arabia were legally required to receive permission to transfer equipment to other parties, but that permission was never obtained,&nbsp;</p>

<p>The US government launched its own investigation, but its findings have so far not been made public.</p>

<p>The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), on May 7, announced that the Pentagon had approved the proposed sale of up to 4,569 surplus US-made Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles to the UAE for an estimated cost of $556 million.</p>

<p>The proposal approved is the next phase of a $2.5 billion arms deal that was agreed with the UAE in 2014. The deal was put on hold last year pending the results of the US investigation.</p>

<p>This move has sparked another outbreak of violence in Yemen that has coincided with an increase in coronavirus infections. As many as 197 cases and 33 coronavirus-related deaths had been confirmed in Yemen as of Friday.</p>

<p><em><strong>(with inputs)</strong></em></p>


The United States has approved a possible sale of thousands of armoured vehicles to the United Arab Emirates, clearing it of any past wrongdoing. Point in context is the evidence that the Gulf state had earlier made unauthorised transfers of American military hardware to armed groups in Yemen.

The United States has approved a possible sale of thousands of armoured vehicles to the United Arab Emirates, clearing it of any past wrongdoing. Point in context is the evidence that the Gulf state had earlier made unauthorised transfers of American military hardware to armed groups in Yemen. Under the UAE and Saudi Arabia's arms sales agreements with the US, American-made MRAPs are considered "proprietary technology," which neither party is supposed to let out of its control. Yemen is embroiled in a civil war that has pitted a coalition backed by Saudi Arabia and the UAE -- both key US allies -- against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The presence of American-made weaponry has only helped to fuel the fighting. A CNN investigation last year had revealed that both American allies had given US-made equipment to fighting factions in Yemen, despite their agreements with Washington. Under those agreements, the UAE and Saudi Arabia were legally required to receive permission to transfer equipment to other parties, but that permission was never obtained, The US government launched its own investigation, but its findings have so far not been made public. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), on May 7, announced that the Pentagon had approved the proposed sale of up to 4,569 surplus US-made Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles to the UAE for an estimated cost of $556 million. The proposal approved is the next phase of a $2.5 billion arms deal that was agreed with the UAE in 2014. The deal was put on hold last year pending the results of the US investigation. This move has sparked another outbreak of violence in Yemen that has coincided with an increase in coronavirus infections. As many as 197 cases and 33 coronavirus-related deaths had been confirmed in Yemen as of Friday. (with inputs)

US clears way for new arms sale to UAE despite evidence it violated previous deal

<p>The Railways has drawn up a schedule to operate 2,600 Shramik Special trains over the next 10 days across the country to ferry around 36 lakh migrant workers, stranded due to the COVID-19 lockdown, to their home states, Chairman, Railway Board V K Yadav said on Saturday.</p>

<p>He said that the railways has run 2,600 Shramik Special trains in the last 23 days carrying around 36 lakh stranded migrants.<br />
He used graphics to show how railways had increased the number of trains from four on May 1, when the operations started, to 279 on May 20.</p>

<p>"We have operated 260 Shramik Special trains every day on an average for the last four days, carrying three lakh passengers daily. In next 10 days, 2,600 Shramik Special? trains will carry 36 lakh migrants. We can also run trains within states, around 10-12 lakh can travel on them," Yadav said.</p>

<p>To a question on fares of the special trains to be operated from June 1, he said the railways was charging pre-lockdown normal fares only.</p>

<p>He reiterated that 85 per cent of the expense of Shramik Special trains is being borne by the Centre and the states are only paying 15 per cent in the form of fares. "Unreserved journey has been stopped for now in the interest of social distancing. Trains will be full only as per designated capacity,? Yadav said.</p>

<p>"It's a tough situation for everyone in the world. Attempt is to move to normalcy gradually. We have studied patterns of demand on routes and trains have been introduced based on that," he said.</p>

<p>He assured migrant workers that the railways will continue to operate the Shramik Special trains till the time states require them.<br />
Responding to a letter sent by the West Bengal government seeking stalling of all migrant trains to the state till May 26 due to Cyclone Amphan, Yadav said it was due to a natural calamity and things will be back to normal soon.</p>

<p>"The West Bengal chief secretary wrote to me that restoration work is underway and they'll tell us soon when they will be able to receive the trains. As soon as they give us clearance, we'll run trains to West Bengal," he said.</p>

<p>Responding to a question on why certain trains were being diverted to longer routes, Yadav termed it as normal affair.</p>

<p>"Most of the trains are going to only one or two routes to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar so there is route congestion," said Yadav on the incident where a Gorakhpur bound train was diverted via Odisha.</p>

<p>"This method is employed even during normal times to avoid congested routes," he said.</p>

<p>He also said that around 5,000 beds in 17 dedicated hospitals and 33 isolated hospital blocks have been earmarked for COVID-19 care.</p>

<p>Yadav further said isolation coaches meant for coronavirus-infected people were yet to be deployed as he highlighted that 50 per cent of them will be used to run Shramik Special trains.</p>

<p>An order issued earlier this week stated that 60 per cent of around 5,200 coaches which have been converted so far will be used in migrant special trains.</p>

<p>The railways is currently running 15 pairs of special trains on the Rajdhani route while 100 pairs of trains will begin operations from June 1.&nbsp;</p>


The Railways has drawn up a schedule to operate 2,600 Shramik Special trains over the next 10 days across the country to ferry around 36 lakh migrant workers, stranded due to the COVID-19 lockdown, to their home states, Chairman, Railway Board V K Yadav said on Saturday.

The Railways has drawn up a schedule to operate 2,600 Shramik Special trains over the next 10 days across the country to ferry around 36 lakh migrant workers, stranded due to the COVID-19 lockdown, to their home states, Chairman, Railway Board V K Yadav said on Saturday. He said that the railways has run 2,600 Shramik Special trains in the last 23 days carrying around 36 lakh stranded migrants. He used graphics to show how railways had increased the number of trains from four on May 1, when the operations started, to 279 on May 20. "We have operated 260 Shramik Special trains every day on an average for the last four days, carrying three lakh passengers daily. In next 10 days, 2,600 Shramik Special? trains will carry 36 lakh migrants. We can also run trains within states, around 10-12 lakh can travel on them," Yadav said. To a question on fares of the special trains to be operated from June 1, he said the railways was charging pre-lockdown normal fares only. He reiterated that 85 per cent of the expense of Shramik Special trains is being borne by the Centre and the states are only paying 15 per cent in the form of fares. "Unreserved journey has been stopped for now in the interest of social distancing. Trains will be full only as per designated capacity,? Yadav said. "It's a tough situation for everyone in the world. Attempt is to move to normalcy gradually. We have studied patterns of demand on routes and trains have been introduced based on that," he said. He assured migrant workers that the railways will continue to operate the Shramik Special trains till the time states require them. Responding to a letter sent by the West Bengal government seeking stalling of all migrant trains to the state till May 26 due to Cyclone Amphan, Yadav said it was due to a natural calamity and things will be back to normal soon. "The West Bengal chief secretary wrote to me that restoration work is underway and they'll tell us soon when they will be able to receive the trains. As soon as they give us clearance, we'll run trains to West Bengal," he said. Responding to a question on why certain trains were being diverted to longer routes, Yadav termed it as normal affair. "Most of the trains are going to only one or two routes to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar so there is route congestion," said Yadav on the incident where a Gorakhpur bound train was diverted via Odisha. "This method is employed even during normal times to avoid congested routes," he said. He also said that around 5,000 beds in 17 dedicated hospitals and 33 isolated hospital blocks have been earmarked for COVID-19 care. Yadav further said isolation coaches meant for coronavirus-infected people were yet to be deployed as he highlighted that 50 per cent of them will be used to run Shramik Special trains. An order issued earlier this week stated that 60 per cent of around 5,200 coaches which have been converted so far will be used in migrant special trains. The railways is currently running 15 pairs of special trains on the Rajdhani route while 100 pairs of trains will begin operations from June 1.

Railways to operate 2,600 Shramik Special trains in next 10 days to ferry 36 lakh home

<p>The Vatican Museums will open up again on June 1 after months of staying shut down due to the coronavirus lockdown.</p>

<p>A statement said the Museums, which house some of the world's greatest Renaissance masterpieces as well as ancient Roman and Egyptian artefacts, can be visited from the beginning of June, though only by making on-line reservations in order to control the number of people.</p>

<p>All visitors wearing face masks and having their temperature checked before entry.</p>

<p>Medical staff will also be present at the museums. Also, since reservations will now be required, advance ticketing fees of 4 euros (USD 4.50) are being waived.</p>

<p>For now, the Museums are suspending the free-entry initiative on the last Sunday of each month.</p>

<p>There have been 12 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in tiny Vatican City State or among its employees.&nbsp;</p>


The Vatican Museums will open up again on June 1 after months of staying shut down due to the coronavirus lockdown. A statement said the Museums, which house some of the world's greatest Renaissance masterpieces as well as ancient Roman and Egyptian artefacts, can be visited from the beginning of June, though only by making on-line reservations in order to control the number of people.

The Vatican Museums will open up again on June 1 after months of staying shut down due to the coronavirus lockdown. A statement said the Museums, which house some of the world's greatest Renaissance masterpieces as well as ancient Roman and Egyptian artefacts, can be visited from the beginning of June, though only by making on-line reservations in order to control the number of people. All visitors wearing face masks and having their temperature checked before entry. Medical staff will also be present at the museums. Also, since reservations will now be required, advance ticketing fees of 4 euros (USD 4.50) are being waived. For now, the Museums are suspending the free-entry initiative on the last Sunday of each month. There have been 12 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in tiny Vatican City State or among its employees.

Coronavirus: Museums in Vatican City to reopen on June 1

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