The coronavirus pandemic killed over 21,000 people worldwide with most of the deaths reported from Europe with early a third of the world’s population living under coronavirus-related movement restrictions.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-coronavirus-cases-near-70000-more-than-1000-dead-288573">Also read: US coronavirus cases near 70,000, more than 1,000 dead</a> 
 
Over 471,000 people have been infected by the coronavirus, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-second-consecutive-day-of-no-new-local-coronavirus-transmissions-imported-cases-rise-288566">Also read: China reports second consecutive day of no new local coronavirus transmissions, imported cases rise</a>

Most of the countries concerned, including Argentina, Britain, France, India and Italy as well as many US states, have imposed mandatory lockdown measures. Others have introduced curfews, quarantines and other social distancing recommendations. 
 
Also read:&nbsp;<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/has-the-original-epicentre-of-coronavirus-wuhan-really-recovered-288306&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1585275689446000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGjuBE1M1VDLfsLMOltHuMMvzHfEg" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/has-the-original-epicentre-of-coronavirus-wuhan-really-recovered-288306" target="_blank">Has the original epicentre of coronavirus - Wuhan really recovered?</a>&nbsp;

In the United States, the number of deaths caused by the novel coronavirus rose to 1,031 &nbsp;on Wednesday, with 68,572 confirmed cases nationwide, a tracker run by the Johns Hopkins University showed. 
&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/who-lists-six-steps-to-combat-coronavirus-pandemic-lauds-india-for-taking-early-steps-288582/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The new coronavirus (Covid-19) has spread to nearly every country in the world since it first emerged in China at the beginning of the year.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The coronavirus pandemic killed over 21,000 people worldwide with most of the deaths reported from Europe with early a third of the world’s population living under coronavirus-related movement restrictions.

The coronavirus pandemic killed over 21,000 people worldwide with most of the deaths reported from Europe with early a third of the world’s population living under coronavirus-related movement restrictions. Also read: US coronavirus cases near 70,000, more than 1,000 dead Over 471,000 people have been infected by the coronavirus, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. Also read: China reports second consecutive day of no new local coronavirus transmissions, imported cases rise Most of the countries concerned, including Argentina, Britain, France, India and Italy as well as many US states, have imposed mandatory lockdown measures. Others have introduced curfews, quarantines and other social distancing recommendations. Also read: Has the original epicentre of coronavirus - Wuhan really recovered? In the United States, the number of deaths caused by the novel coronavirus rose to 1,031 on Wednesday, with 68,572 confirmed cases nationwide, a tracker run by the Johns Hopkins University showed. The new coronavirus (Covid-19) has spread to nearly every country in the world since it first emerged in China at the beginning of the year. (With inputs from agencies)

Coronavirus death toll tops 21,000 globally

All international commercial passenger flights will remain suspended till April 14, aviation regulator DGCA announced on Thursday, amid a nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on March 19 had announced that no international commercial passenger flight operations will take place in India from 1.30 am on March 23 to 5.30 am on March 29.

"In continuation of circular-II dated 19.3.2020 issued on the subject cited-above, it has been decided that all scheduled international commercial passenger services shall remain closed till 1830 hrs GMT (0000 hrs of Indian Standard Time) of April 14, 2020," the aviation regulator said.

"However, this restriction will not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by the DGCA," it said.

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The government suspended domestic passenger flight operations from midnight on March 24.

There are 649 coronavirus positive cases in the country and 13 people have died due to it till now, according to the Union health ministry.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a complete lockdown across the country for 21 days from Tuesday midnight, asserting that this is necessary for a decisive battle against the coronavirus.&nbsp;

All international commercial passenger flights will remain suspended till April 14, aviation regulator DGCA announced on Thursday, amid a nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

All international commercial passenger flights will remain suspended till April 14, aviation regulator DGCA announced on Thursday, amid a nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on March 19 had announced that no international commercial passenger flight operations will take place in India from 1.30 am on March 23 to 5.30 am on March 29. "In continuation of circular-II dated 19.3.2020 issued on the subject cited-above, it has been decided that all scheduled international commercial passenger services shall remain closed till 1830 hrs GMT (0000 hrs of Indian Standard Time) of April 14, 2020," the aviation regulator said. "However, this restriction will not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by the DGCA," it said. pic.twitter.com/Vf1imd23E2 — DGCA (@DGCAIndia) March 26, 2020 × The government suspended domestic passenger flight operations from midnight on March 24. There are 649 coronavirus positive cases in the country and 13 people have died due to it till now, according to the Union health ministry. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a complete lockdown across the country for 21 days from Tuesday midnight, asserting that this is necessary for a decisive battle against the coronavirus.

Coronavirus: India extends ban on international passenger flights till April 14

The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus surged to 694 on Thursday, as 88 new cases were reported in a single day. With Tamil Nadu seeing its first fatality, the death toll in the country has climbed to 16.

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) data, 44 people were either cured or discharged and one had migrated. The total of cases reported till Wednesday was 606.

Earlier in the day, the health ministry said India was not in the community transmission stage of novel coronavirus pandemic.

The Centre announced a Rs 1.70 lakh crore relief package for the daily wage earners, women workers and migrant workers as the country remains in a 21-day lockdown period.

"A package is ready for the poor who need immediate help like migrant workers and urban and rural poor. No one will go hungry. The package is worth Rs 1.70 lakh crore," Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, in a press briefing in New Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced a complete lockdown in India in the wake of the rapid increase in number of confirmed cases of coronavirus. The lockdown began at 12 am on March 25 and will run for three weeks.

India has so far witnessed cases of COVID-19 mostly related to travel and local transmission from imported cases.

The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus surged to 694 on Thursday, as 88 new cases were reported in a single day. With Tamil Nadu seeing its first fatality, the death toll in the country has climbed to 16.

The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus surged to 694 on Thursday, as 88 new cases were reported in a single day. With Tamil Nadu seeing its first fatality, the death toll in the country has climbed to 16. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) data, 44 people were either cured or discharged and one had migrated. The total of cases reported till Wednesday was 606. Earlier in the day, the health ministry said India was not in the community transmission stage of novel coronavirus pandemic. The Centre announced a Rs 1.70 lakh crore relief package for the daily wage earners, women workers and migrant workers as the country remains in a 21-day lockdown period. "A package is ready for the poor who need immediate help like migrant workers and urban and rural poor. No one will go hungry. The package is worth Rs 1.70 lakh crore," Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, in a press briefing in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced a complete lockdown in India in the wake of the rapid increase in number of confirmed cases of coronavirus. The lockdown began at 12 am on March 25 and will run for three weeks. India has so far witnessed cases of COVID-19 mostly related to travel and local transmission from imported cases.

Coronavirus update: Cases in India surge to 694, death toll stands at 16

The number of deaths caused by the novel coronavirus rose to 1,031 in the United States on Wednesday, with 68,572 confirmed cases nationwide, a tracker run by the Johns Hopkins University showed. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-second-consecutive-day-of-no-new-local-coronavirus-transmissions-imported-cases-rise-288566">Also read: China reports second consecutive day of no new local coronavirus transmissions, imported cases rise</a> 
 
The tracker had shown 827 just a few hours earlier. The United States has the third-highest number of confirmed cases behind China and Italy, and the US death rate is now 1.5 per cent, based on reported cases. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-pandemic-global-death-toll-tops-20000-more-than-3-billion-people-under-lockdown-288555">Also read: Global death toll tops 20,000; more than 3 billion people under lockdown</a>

The true number of infected people is believed to be far higher, meaning the real death rate would be lower.

New York is one of the hardest-hit states in the country, with 280 deaths in New York City since the start of the pandemic, according to the tracker. 
 
Also read:&nbsp;<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/has-the-original-epicentre-of-coronavirus-wuhan-really-recovered-288306&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1585275689446000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGjuBE1M1VDLfsLMOltHuMMvzHfEg" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/has-the-original-epicentre-of-coronavirus-wuhan-really-recovered-288306" target="_blank">Has the original epicentre of coronavirus - Wuhan really recovered?</a>&nbsp;

The virus has killed more than 21,000 people around the world after it was first identified in central China in late December.

A projection shared with Congress earlier this month said that between 70 to 150 million people could eventually be infected in the United States.

If the real mortality rate is one per cent, this would result in 700,000 to 1.5 million deaths.

Heart disease was the leading cause of death for Americans in 2018, the latest year for which official figures are available, with just over 650,000 deaths.

The flu and pneumonia caused around 60,000 deaths.

The number of deaths caused by the novel coronavirus rose to 1,031 in the United States on Wednesday, with 68,572 confirmed cases nationwide, a tracker run by the Johns Hopkins University showed.

The number of deaths caused by the novel coronavirus rose to 1,031 in the United States on Wednesday, with 68,572 confirmed cases nationwide, a tracker run by the Johns Hopkins University showed. Also read: China reports second consecutive day of no new local coronavirus transmissions, imported cases rise The tracker had shown 827 just a few hours earlier. The United States has the third-highest number of confirmed cases behind China and Italy, and the US death rate is now 1.5 per cent, based on reported cases. Also read: Global death toll tops 20,000; more than 3 billion people under lockdown The true number of infected people is believed to be far higher, meaning the real death rate would be lower. New York is one of the hardest-hit states in the country, with 280 deaths in New York City since the start of the pandemic, according to the tracker. Also read: Has the original epicentre of coronavirus - Wuhan really recovered? The virus has killed more than 21,000 people around the world after it was first identified in central China in late December. A projection shared with Congress earlier this month said that between 70 to 150 million people could eventually be infected in the United States. If the real mortality rate is one per cent, this would result in 700,000 to 1.5 million deaths. Heart disease was the leading cause of death for Americans in 2018, the latest year for which official figures are available, with just over 650,000 deaths. The flu and pneumonia caused around 60,000 deaths.

US coronavirus cases near 70,000, more than 1,000 dead

Comedian and actor Kapil Sharma on Thursday announced that he has contributed Rs 50 lakhs to the Prime Minister's relief fund set up to fight against the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-could-become-seasonal-says-top-us-scientist-288705">novel coronavirus</a>.

In pics:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/7-best-quarantine-reads-that-you-can-choose-to-pass-your-time-288664" hreflang="en">7 best quarantine reads that you can choose to pass your time</a> 
 
The comic took to Twitter to make the announcement and also urged people to stay home to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

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It's time to stand together with the ones who need us. Contributing Rs.50 lakhs to the PM relief fund towards the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fightagainstcorona?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#fightagainstcorona</a>. Request everyone to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stayhome?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#stayhome</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/staysafe?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#staysafe</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/jaihind?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#jaihind</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PMrelieffund?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PMrelieffund</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> 🙏 🇮🇳
— Kapil Sharma (@KapilSharmaK9) <a href="https://twitter.com/KapilSharmaK9/status/1243093407477592064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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''It's time to stand together with the ones who need us. Contributing Rs.50 lakhs to the PM relief fund towards the #fightagainstcorona," he tweeted."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/chiranjeevi-and-his-son-ram-charan-make-their-debut-on-twitter-instagram-288706" hreflang="en">Chiranjeevi and his son Ram Charan make their debut on Twitter, Instagram</a> 
 
Request everyone to #stayhome #staysafe #jaihind #PMrelieffund @narendramodi," Sharma's tweet further read. 
According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the total number of positive coronavirus cases in the country now stands at 649, including 593 active cases.

Comedian and actor Kapil Sharma on Thursday announced that he has contributed Rs 50 lakhs to the Prime Minister's relief fund set up to fight against the novel coronavirus.

Comedian and actor Kapil Sharma on Thursday announced that he has contributed Rs 50 lakhs to the Prime Minister's relief fund set up to fight against the novel coronavirus. In pics: 7 best quarantine reads that you can choose to pass your time The comic took to Twitter to make the announcement and also urged people to stay home to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It's time to stand together with the ones who need us. Contributing Rs.50 lakhs to the PM relief fund towards the #fightagainstcorona. Request everyone to #stayhome #staysafe #jaihind #PMrelieffund @narendramodi 🙏 🇮🇳 — Kapil Sharma (@KapilSharmaK9) March 26, 2020 × ''It's time to stand together with the ones who need us. Contributing Rs.50 lakhs to the PM relief fund towards the #fightagainstcorona," he tweeted." Also read: Chiranjeevi and his son Ram Charan make their debut on Twitter, Instagram Request everyone to #stayhome #staysafe #jaihind #PMrelieffund @narendramodi," Sharma's tweet further read. According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the total number of positive coronavirus cases in the country now stands at 649, including 593 active cases.

COVID-19: Comedian Kapil Sharma donates Rs 50 lakh to PM's relief fund

Pakistan establishment, in a mala fide move, is establishing facilities in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) to quarantine and treat suspected COVID-19 cases. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-pandemic-global-death-toll-tops-20000-more-than-3-billion-people-under-lockdown-288555">Also read: Global death toll tops 20,000; more than 3 billion people under lockdown</a>

Covid-19 patients from other areas of Pakistan are being moved to POK despite unrest in this region due to this move. 
 
Also read:&nbsp;<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/has-the-original-epicentre-of-coronavirus-wuhan-really-recovered-288306&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1585275689446000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGjuBE1M1VDLfsLMOltHuMMvzHfEg" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/has-the-original-epicentre-of-coronavirus-wuhan-really-recovered-288306" target="_blank">Has the original epicentre of coronavirus - Wuhan really recovered?</a>&nbsp;

This is being resisted by the people of Mirpur, who have now urged the central leadership of the&nbsp;United Kashmir People's National Party&nbsp;to take up this issue with international agencies like the UN and WHO.

It has been revealed that people in Mirpur are protesting and keeping a tight vigil to not allow any quarantine centre for Covid-19 patients from other parts of Pakistan. 
 
PoK lacks humane quarantine and treatment policy with regard to COVID-19.

Reports regarding the lack of adequate health screening procedures and squalid living conditions within the quarantine camps at the Taftan border crossing with Iran have further raised concerns for the surge in the number of infections, much to the angst and agony of the people, some of whom have also taken to streets to protest against the government's failure.

The PoK residents protesting in Mirpur and blocking the Mangla Bridge. They are demanding that no one from Pakistan should be allowed to come to PoK.

There have been eight Covid-19 deaths in Pakistan and the number of confirmed Coronavirus positive cases has gone up to 1078. Sindh is the worst-hit province with 413 cases.

Over 3 billion people have been asked to stay at home as governments across the world tackle the World Health Organisation recognised 'pandemic'.&nbsp;

The deadly coronavirus has claimed 21,283 lives and infected 471,035 people globally.

(With inputs from ANI)

Pakistan establishment, in a mala fide move, is establishing facilities in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) to quarantine and treat suspected COVID-19 cases. Also read: Global death toll tops 20,000; more than 3 billion people under lockdown Covid-19 patients from other areas of Pakistan are being moved to POK despite unrest in this region due to this move.

Pakistan establishment, in a mala fide move, is establishing facilities in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) to quarantine and treat suspected COVID-19 cases. Also read: Global death toll tops 20,000; more than 3 billion people under lockdown Covid-19 patients from other areas of Pakistan are being moved to POK despite unrest in this region due to this move. Also read: Has the original epicentre of coronavirus - Wuhan really recovered? This is being resisted by the people of Mirpur, who have now urged the central leadership of the United Kashmir People's National Party to take up this issue with international agencies like the UN and WHO. It has been revealed that people in Mirpur are protesting and keeping a tight vigil to not allow any quarantine centre for Covid-19 patients from other parts of Pakistan. PoK lacks humane quarantine and treatment policy with regard to COVID-19. Reports regarding the lack of adequate health screening procedures and squalid living conditions within the quarantine camps at the Taftan border crossing with Iran have further raised concerns for the surge in the number of infections, much to the angst and agony of the people, some of whom have also taken to streets to protest against the government's failure. The PoK residents protesting in Mirpur and blocking the Mangla Bridge. They are demanding that no one from Pakistan should be allowed to come to PoK. There have been eight Covid-19 deaths in Pakistan and the number of confirmed Coronavirus positive cases has gone up to 1078. Sindh is the worst-hit province with 413 cases. Over 3 billion people have been asked to stay at home as governments across the world tackle the World Health Organisation recognised 'pandemic'. The deadly coronavirus has claimed 21,283 lives and infected 471,035 people globally. (With inputs from ANI)

Pakistan Occupied Kashmir turning into Pak's quarantine centre: Intel inputs

Mainland China reported a second consecutive day of no new local coronavirus infections as the epicentre of the epidemic Hubei province opened its borders, but imported cases rose as Beijing ramped up controls to prevent a resurgence of infections. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-pandemic-global-death-toll-tops-20000-more-than-3-billion-people-under-lockdown-288555">Also read: Global death toll tops 20,000; more than 3 billion people under lockdown</a>

A total of 67 new cases were reported as of end-Wednesday, up from 47 a day earlier, all of which were imported, China's National Health Commission said in a statement on Thursday. 
 
Also read: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/has-the-original-epicentre-of-coronavirus-wuhan-really-recovered-288306&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1585275689446000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGjuBE1M1VDLfsLMOltHuMMvzHfEg" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/has-the-original-epicentre-of-coronavirus-wuhan-really-recovered-288306" target="_blank">Has the original epicentre of coronavirus - Wuhan really recovered?</a>&nbsp;

The total number of cases now stands at 81,285.

The commission reported a total of 3,287 deaths at the end of Wednesday, up to six from the previous day.

All of the new patients were travellers who came to China from overseas, with the mainland reporting no locally transmitted infections on Wednesday.

Shanghai reported the most cases with 18 followed by the Inner Mongolia region at 12 and Guangdong province at 11.

The number of new daily cases remains down sharply from the height of the outbreak in the country in February, allowing Beijing to push for restarting economic activity in the world's second-biggest economy.

Hubei province, home to some 60 million people, reported no new cases on Wednesday and opened its borders. Public transport restarted and residents in the city of Xianning strolled the streets wearing masks.

The lockdown of Hubei's capital Wuhan, where the virus first appeared late last year, will be lifted on April 8, a milestone in China's war against the epidemic as Beijing shifts its focus towards stemming imported cases and rebooting the economy.

Fearing a new wave of infections from imported cases, authorities have ramped up quarantine and screening measures in other major cities including Beijing, where any travellers arriving from overseas must submit to centralised quarantine.

Mainland China reported a second consecutive day of no new local coronavirus infections as the epicentre of the epidemic Hubei province opened its borders, but imported cases rose as Beijing ramped up controls to prevent a resurgence of infections.

Mainland China reported a second consecutive day of no new local coronavirus infections as the epicentre of the epidemic Hubei province opened its borders, but imported cases rose as Beijing ramped up controls to prevent a resurgence of infections. Also read: Global death toll tops 20,000; more than 3 billion people under lockdown A total of 67 new cases were reported as of end-Wednesday, up from 47 a day earlier, all of which were imported, China's National Health Commission said in a statement on Thursday. Also read: Has the original epicentre of coronavirus - Wuhan really recovered? The total number of cases now stands at 81,285. The commission reported a total of 3,287 deaths at the end of Wednesday, up to six from the previous day. All of the new patients were travellers who came to China from overseas, with the mainland reporting no locally transmitted infections on Wednesday. Shanghai reported the most cases with 18 followed by the Inner Mongolia region at 12 and Guangdong province at 11. The number of new daily cases remains down sharply from the height of the outbreak in the country in February, allowing Beijing to push for restarting economic activity in the world's second-biggest economy. Hubei province, home to some 60 million people, reported no new cases on Wednesday and opened its borders. Public transport restarted and residents in the city of Xianning strolled the streets wearing masks. The lockdown of Hubei's capital Wuhan, where the virus first appeared late last year, will be lifted on April 8, a milestone in China's war against the epidemic as Beijing shifts its focus towards stemming imported cases and rebooting the economy. Fearing a new wave of infections from imported cases, authorities have ramped up quarantine and screening measures in other major cities including Beijing, where any travellers arriving from overseas must submit to centralised quarantine.

China reports second consecutive day of no new local coronavirus transmissions, imported cases rise

Congress Interim President&nbsp;Sonia Gandhi&nbsp;on Thursday wrote a letter to Prime Minister&nbsp;Narendra Modi&nbsp;supporting the 21-day nationwide lockdown imposed in order to stem the growth of coronavirus in the country. Latest data shows COVID-19, a disease caused by coronavirus, has claimed 13 lives so far, taking the total number of cases to 649.

In her four-page letter, Sonia Gandhi said that the lockdown was a "welcome step”, adding it was imperative for each one of us to rise above partisan interests and honour one's duty towards our country and indeed, towards humanity.

“As president of the Congress, I would like to state that we will support and collaborate fully with every step taking by the union government to ensure the containment of the pandemic. At this challenging and uncertain time, it is imperative for each one of us to rise above partisan interests and honour one's duty towards our country and indeed, towards humanity," Sonia Gandhi wrote.

She suggested that the Centre should consider deferring all EMI payments for the next few months and also waive interests charged by banks for this period. She added that the government should immediately put in place several social protection measures which should include direct cash transfers to daily wage workers,&nbsp;MNREGA&nbsp;workers, construction workers, farmers and others part of the informal sector.

The Congress President recommended her party's&nbsp;NYAY&nbsp;scheme for minimum income support, she called it "the need of the hour".&nbsp;

"Alternatively, a cash transfer of Rs 7,500 to every&nbsp;Jan Dhan&nbsp;account holder, PM Kisan Yojana account holder, all old-age/widow/differently-abled persons' pension, MNREGA worker's accounts, as a one-time special measure to tide over the 21-day lockdown period should be considered," she added.

Sonia Gandhi further wrote: “10 kg of rice and wheat should be distributed to ration cardholders free of charge during the lockdown. A sector-wise relief package can be given to all sectors severely hit by the coronavirus pandemic.”

Her son, Rahul Gandhi, has however maintained a tougher stand on the issue, and said the government was underestimating the threat.

Talking on the affected states, Maharashtra’s tally has reached 121, including three deaths. Delhi has 36 active cases, while one patient has died so far.

Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi on Thursday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi supporting the 21-day nationwide lockdown imposed in order to stem the growth of coronavirus in the country.

Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi on Thursday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi supporting the 21-day nationwide lockdown imposed in order to stem the growth of coronavirus in the country. Latest data shows COVID-19, a disease caused by coronavirus, has claimed 13 lives so far, taking the total number of cases to 649. In her four-page letter, Sonia Gandhi said that the lockdown was a "welcome step”, adding it was imperative for each one of us to rise above partisan interests and honour one's duty towards our country and indeed, towards humanity. “As president of the Congress, I would like to state that we will support and collaborate fully with every step taking by the union government to ensure the containment of the pandemic. At this challenging and uncertain time, it is imperative for each one of us to rise above partisan interests and honour one's duty towards our country and indeed, towards humanity," Sonia Gandhi wrote. She suggested that the Centre should consider deferring all EMI payments for the next few months and also waive interests charged by banks for this period. She added that the government should immediately put in place several social protection measures which should include direct cash transfers to daily wage workers, MNREGA workers, construction workers, farmers and others part of the informal sector. The Congress President recommended her party's NYAY scheme for minimum income support, she called it "the need of the hour". "Alternatively, a cash transfer of Rs 7,500 to every Jan Dhan account holder, PM Kisan Yojana account holder, all old-age/widow/differently-abled persons' pension, MNREGA worker's accounts, as a one-time special measure to tide over the 21-day lockdown period should be considered," she added. Sonia Gandhi further wrote: “10 kg of rice and wheat should be distributed to ration cardholders free of charge during the lockdown. A sector-wise relief package can be given to all sectors severely hit by the coronavirus pandemic.” Her son, Rahul Gandhi, has however maintained a tougher stand on the issue, and said the government was underestimating the threat. Talking on the affected states, Maharashtra’s tally has reached 121, including three deaths. Delhi has 36 active cases, while one patient has died so far.

Sonia Gandhi writes letter to PM over lockdown, lends support

As many as 900 people in Delhi have been quarantined after a doctor they all came in contact with was tested positive for coronavirus. The chain of this infection started with a woman with a travel history of Saudi Arabia visited the clinic with symptoms of COVID-19.

The woman returned from Saudi Arabia on March 10, and visited the clinic on March 12.

The doctor’s wife and daughter have also tested positive for coronavirus, while the 900 people have been isolated for 14 days.

With this, confirmed cases of coronavirus in Delhi have now shot upto 36.

The woman also infected her mother, brother and two daughters, and a relative who picked her up from the Delhi airport on her arrival with the virus. Some 74 persons in her neighbourhood are also under watch.

Delhi Chief Minister had earlier said all healthcare staff of the Delhi government who are involved in tending to COVID-19 patients will be tested for coronavirus infection. Those who are involved in collecting samples of suspected patients will also be tested.

Even Mohalla clinics would stay open regardless of this case, as the poor would otherwise be forced to seek out hospitals that are far away and costly

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday ordered a national lockdown for 21 days — in order to break the chain of transmission. The total number of cases in India spiked to 606 on Wednesday, while the number of deaths was 10.

As many as 900 people in Delhi have been quarantined after a doctor they all came in contact with was tested positive for coronavirus. The chain of this infection started with a woman with a travel history of Saudi Arabia visited the clinic with symptoms of COVID-19.

As many as 900 people in Delhi have been quarantined after a doctor they all came in contact with was tested positive for coronavirus. The chain of this infection started with a woman with a travel history of Saudi Arabia visited the clinic with symptoms of COVID-19. The woman returned from Saudi Arabia on March 10, and visited the clinic on March 12. The doctor’s wife and daughter have also tested positive for coronavirus, while the 900 people have been isolated for 14 days. With this, confirmed cases of coronavirus in Delhi have now shot upto 36. The woman also infected her mother, brother and two daughters, and a relative who picked her up from the Delhi airport on her arrival with the virus. Some 74 persons in her neighbourhood are also under watch. Delhi Chief Minister had earlier said all healthcare staff of the Delhi government who are involved in tending to COVID-19 patients will be tested for coronavirus infection. Those who are involved in collecting samples of suspected patients will also be tested. Even Mohalla clinics would stay open regardless of this case, as the poor would otherwise be forced to seek out hospitals that are far away and costly Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday ordered a national lockdown for 21 days — in order to break the chain of transmission. The total number of cases in India spiked to 606 on Wednesday, while the number of deaths was 10.

900 people quarantined after doctor in Delhi tests positive for coronavirus

Equity benchmark Sensex was trading over 1,000 points higher in afternoon session on Thursday after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a stimulus package worth Rs 1.70 lakh crore to cushion the impact of the lockdown in wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

Paring early gains, the 30-share BSE barometer was up 1,055.11 points or 3.70 per cent at 29,590.89. It rallied over 1,500 points in morning session.

Similarly, the NSE Nifty stood 284.20 points, or 3.42 per cent, higher at 8,602.05 at 1430 hours.

&nbsp;IndusInd Bank was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, rallying up to 34 per cent, followed by Axis Bank, Bharti Airtel, L&amp;T, Bajaj Finance and HDFC.&nbsp;

On the other hand, Maruti, Reliance Industries, NTPC and Sun Pharma were among the top laggards.

&nbsp;To cushion the economic blow of the 21-day lockdown to contain the Covid-19 pandemic, Finance Minister Sitharaman announced a slew of measures to help the citizens survive the crisis. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
The Rs 1.70 lakh crore economic package will be implemented with immediate effect. 
&nbsp; 
The Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan scheme includes distribution of 5 kg of wheat or rice and one kg of preferred pulses free-of-cost every month over the next three months to 80 crore poor across the country and Rs 500 per month for next three months to as many of 20.5 crore women Jan Dhan Account holders. 
&nbsp; 
The government will front-load Rs 2,000 paid to farmers in first week of April under existing PM Kisan Yojana to benefit 8.69 crore farmers. 
&nbsp; 
The Finance Minister also said a Rs 50 lakh insurance cover will be given to healthcare workers who are at the forefront of dealing with the pandemic. 
&nbsp; 
The Indian rupee appreciated further by 84 paise to 75.10 against the US dollar in intra-day trade after the announcement.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The number of COVID-19 cases climbed to 649 in India and the death toll rose to 13, with one death reported each from Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh, according to the Health Ministry.

Equity benchmark Sensex was trading over 1,000 points higher in afternoon session on Thursday after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a stimulus package worth Rs 1.

Equity benchmark Sensex was trading over 1,000 points higher in afternoon session on Thursday after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a stimulus package worth Rs 1.70 lakh crore to cushion the impact of the lockdown in wake of COVID-19 pandemic. Paring early gains, the 30-share BSE barometer was up 1,055.11 points or 3.70 per cent at 29,590.89. It rallied over 1,500 points in morning session. Similarly, the NSE Nifty stood 284.20 points, or 3.42 per cent, higher at 8,602.05 at 1430 hours. IndusInd Bank was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, rallying up to 34 per cent, followed by Axis Bank, Bharti Airtel, L&T, Bajaj Finance and HDFC. On the other hand, Maruti, Reliance Industries, NTPC and Sun Pharma were among the top laggards. To cushion the economic blow of the 21-day lockdown to contain the Covid-19 pandemic, Finance Minister Sitharaman announced a slew of measures to help the citizens survive the crisis. The Rs 1.70 lakh crore economic package will be implemented with immediate effect. The Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan scheme includes distribution of 5 kg of wheat or rice and one kg of preferred pulses free-of-cost every month over the next three months to 80 crore poor across the country and Rs 500 per month for next three months to as many of 20.5 crore women Jan Dhan Account holders. The government will front-load Rs 2,000 paid to farmers in first week of April under existing PM Kisan Yojana to benefit 8.69 crore farmers. The Finance Minister also said a Rs 50 lakh insurance cover will be given to healthcare workers who are at the forefront of dealing with the pandemic. The Indian rupee appreciated further by 84 paise to 75.10 against the US dollar in intra-day trade after the announcement. The number of COVID-19 cases climbed to 649 in India and the death toll rose to 13, with one death reported each from Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh, according to the Health Ministry.

Sensex trades 1,000 points higher after Finance Minister announces Rs 1.70 lakh cr-stimulus package

In the backdrop of coronavirus outbreak and subsequent lockdown, the Centre has&nbsp;come up with a Rs 1.70 lakh crore relief package for the daily wage earners, women workers and migrant workers as the country remains in a 21-day lockdown period.

"A package is ready for the poor who need immediate help like migrant workers and urban and rural poor. No one will go hungry. The package is worth Rs 1.70 lakh crore," &nbsp;said Union minister. 
&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
India’s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Covid19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Covid19</a> Relief Package | ₹1.70 lakh crore package announced by <a href="https://twitter.com/nsitharaman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nsitharaman</a> 
+ State govt’s advised to use State Mineral funds 
+ 5 crore MNREGA families to get additional ₹2000 
+ New NRLM loans to be collateral free 
+ PF Scheme to be amended
— WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1243098268684476416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The finance minister had already announced some measures on Tuesday that included an extension of tax deadlines, easing minimum balance norms for the savings account, and increasing threshold of insolvency filing to Rs 1&nbsp;crore from Rs 1 lakh. 
 
Here are the highlights of the stimulus package announced by the government:&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Govt's economic package includes relief for daily wage workers. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Govt announces medical insurance cover of Rs 50 lakh medical cover per person for the government's sanitation workers, ASHA workers, doctors, paramedics, others if they need it. The scheme is to benefit 20 lakh, such workers. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>5 kg of rice or wheat will be given for free for the next three months under the Pradhanmantri Garib Kalyan Yojana besides, 1 kg pulse available regionally will also be given for free to 80 crore people.&nbsp; 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Provident Fund(EPF) contribution, both employer and employee, put together it will be 24%, this will be for the next 3 months. This is for those establishments which have up to 100 employees and 90% of them earn less than 15,000. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>For women: 20.5 crore women account holder of Jan Dhan Yojana to get Rs. 500/month for next 3 months | For next 3 months under Ujjwala Yojana, beneficiaries to get gas cylinders 4 free | 60 lakh, women, under self-help group (SHG) to get a collateral-free loan up to Rs 20 lakh. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Centre asks states to utilise Rs 31,000 crore fund to benefit construction workers to benefit 3.5 crores, such workers. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>On a question related to fiscal deficit and market borrowings, FM Sitharaman said that at this stage, we are more concerned about reaching out to people who need help. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Government asks state governments to utilise the district mineral fund healthcare facility amid coronavirus scare.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

India has entered Day 2 of the 21-day nationwide lockdown over the highly contagious Covid-19, which has infected over 650 in the country. Today, leaders of G20 nations will hold a summit via video conference to discuss measures to protect the global economy amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has so far claimed 21,200 lives globally and infected 471,363.

In the backdrop of coronavirus outbreak and subsequent lockdown, the Centre has come up with a Rs 1.70 lakh crore relief package for the daily wage earners, women workers and migrant workers as the country remains in a 21-day lockdown period.

In the backdrop of coronavirus outbreak and subsequent lockdown, the Centre has come up with a Rs 1.70 lakh crore relief package for the daily wage earners, women workers and migrant workers as the country remains in a 21-day lockdown period. "A package is ready for the poor who need immediate help like migrant workers and urban and rural poor. No one will go hungry. The package is worth Rs 1.70 lakh crore," said Union minister. India’s #Covid19 Relief Package | ₹1.70 lakh crore package announced by @nsitharaman + State govt’s advised to use State Mineral funds + 5 crore MNREGA families to get additional ₹2000 + New NRLM loans to be collateral free + PF Scheme to be amended — WION (@WIONews) March 26, 2020 × The finance minister had already announced some measures on Tuesday that included an extension of tax deadlines, easing minimum balance norms for the savings account, and increasing threshold of insolvency filing to Rs 1 crore from Rs 1 lakh. Here are the highlights of the stimulus package announced by the government: Govt's economic package includes relief for daily wage workers. Govt announces medical insurance cover of Rs 50 lakh medical cover per person for the government's sanitation workers, ASHA workers, doctors, paramedics, others if they need it. The scheme is to benefit 20 lakh, such workers. 5 kg of rice or wheat will be given for free for the next three months under the Pradhanmantri Garib Kalyan Yojana besides, 1 kg pulse available regionally will also be given for free to 80 crore people. Provident Fund(EPF) contribution, both employer and employee, put together it will be 24%, this will be for the next 3 months. This is for those establishments which have up to 100 employees and 90% of them earn less than 15,000. For women: 20.5 crore women account holder of Jan Dhan Yojana to get Rs. 500/month for next 3 months | For next 3 months under Ujjwala Yojana, beneficiaries to get gas cylinders 4 free | 60 lakh, women, under self-help group (SHG) to get a collateral-free loan up to Rs 20 lakh. Centre asks states to utilise Rs 31,000 crore fund to benefit construction workers to benefit 3.5 crores, such workers. On a question related to fiscal deficit and market borrowings, FM Sitharaman said that at this stage, we are more concerned about reaching out to people who need help. Government asks state governments to utilise the district mineral fund healthcare facility amid coronavirus scare. India has entered Day 2 of the 21-day nationwide lockdown over the highly contagious Covid-19, which has infected over 650 in the country. Today, leaders of G20 nations will hold a summit via video conference to discuss measures to protect the global economy amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has so far claimed 21,200 lives globally and infected 471,363.

Centre announces coronavirus stimulus package; promises cash transfer, food provision

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told New Zealanders on Wednesday to behave as if they had the coronavirus and cut all physical contact outside their household when the country heads into a one-month lockdown at midnight. 
 
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/has-the-original-epicentre-of-coronavirus-wuhan-really-recovered-288306">Has the original epicentre of coronavirus - Wuhan really recovered?</a>&nbsp;

Ardern declared a national state of emergency as the number of cases of COVID-19, the disease associated with the coronavirus, surged by a record 50 cases to take the national tally to 205. 
 
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cure-cant-be-worse-than-problem-announces-trump-as-he-vows-to-reopen-us-economy-amid-covid-19-crisis-288294" hreflang="en">'Cure can't be worse than problem', announces Trump as he vows to reopen US economy amid COVID-19 crisis</a>

The government has imposed self-isolation for everyone, with all non-essential services, schools and offices to be shut for a month from midnight (1100 GMT). 
 
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/could-united-states-become-the-next-epicentre-of-covid-19-288258" hreflang="en">Could the United States become the next epicentre of COVID-19?</a>&nbsp;

"From midnight tonight, we bunker down for four weeks to try and stop the virus in its tracks, to break the chain," Ardern told parliament.

"Make no mistake this will get worse before it gets better. We will have a lag and cases will increase for the next week or so. Then we’ll begin to know how successful we have been."

Ardern told parliament the lockdown was triggered by early evidence of community transmission of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

At a news conference later in the day, Ardern said modelling suggested New Zealand could have several thousands of cases of COVID-19 before the numbers start coming down.

"If you have any questions about what you can or can’t do, apply a simple principle: Act like you have COVID-19," Ardern said.

"Every move you then make is a risk to someone else. That is how we must all collectively think. That’s why the joy of physically visiting other family, children, grandchildren, friends, neighbours is on hold. Because we’re all now putting each other first. And that is what we as a nation do so well."

DESERTED TOWNS

New Zealand, with about 5 million people, has fewer infections than many other countries, but Ardern's government wants to move fast to halt the spread. It was one of the first to force all arriving travellers into self-isolation and to ban large gatherings.

All non-essential services, bars, restaurants, cafes, gyms, cinemas, pools, museums, libraries, playgrounds and any other place where the public congregate will be closed during the lockdown.

Supermarkets, doctors, pharmacies, service stations and access to essential banking services will all be available.

Major cities like Auckland and Wellington wore a deserted look on Wednesday as businesses shut down, cafes closed and all offices locked their doors.

The disruptions are expected to have a deep impact on businesses and lead to thousands of job losses. Some firms have already announced job cuts.

The government has announced billions of dollars in support for small businesses, workers and families, and promised more in the coming days.

On Wednesday, it announced a six-month freeze on residential rent increases and increased protection from having tenancies terminated.

Ardern said it was ok to go for a walk with your children, a run near your house, or drive to get groceries during the lockdown. But everyone had to keep 2 metres (6 feet) distance, and people may be stopped and questioned by the police.

This is only the second time in New Zealand’s history that a national emergency has been declared, with the first one on 23 February 2011, after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the South Island city of Christchurch, killing almost 200.

Cases in neighbouring Australia have soared past 2,250 and officials have warned infections could overwhelm medical services.

India's 1.3 billion population also went into complete lockdown for 21 days to protect the world's second-most populous country from coronavirus.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told New Zealanders on Wednesday to behave as if they had the coronavirus and cut all physical contact outside their household when the country heads into a one-month lockdown at midnight.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told New Zealanders on Wednesday to behave as if they had the coronavirus and cut all physical contact outside their household when the country heads into a one-month lockdown at midnight. Also read: Has the original epicentre of coronavirus - Wuhan really recovered? Ardern declared a national state of emergency as the number of cases of COVID-19, the disease associated with the coronavirus, surged by a record 50 cases to take the national tally to 205. Also read: 'Cure can't be worse than problem', announces Trump as he vows to reopen US economy amid COVID-19 crisis The government has imposed self-isolation for everyone, with all non-essential services, schools and offices to be shut for a month from midnight (1100 GMT). Also read: Could the United States become the next epicentre of COVID-19? "From midnight tonight, we bunker down for four weeks to try and stop the virus in its tracks, to break the chain," Ardern told parliament. "Make no mistake this will get worse before it gets better. We will have a lag and cases will increase for the next week or so. Then we’ll begin to know how successful we have been." Ardern told parliament the lockdown was triggered by early evidence of community transmission of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. At a news conference later in the day, Ardern said modelling suggested New Zealand could have several thousands of cases of COVID-19 before the numbers start coming down. "If you have any questions about what you can or can’t do, apply a simple principle: Act like you have COVID-19," Ardern said. "Every move you then make is a risk to someone else. That is how we must all collectively think. That’s why the joy of physically visiting other family, children, grandchildren, friends, neighbours is on hold. Because we’re all now putting each other first. And that is what we as a nation do so well." DESERTED TOWNS New Zealand, with about 5 million people, has fewer infections than many other countries, but Ardern's government wants to move fast to halt the spread. It was one of the first to force all arriving travellers into self-isolation and to ban large gatherings. All non-essential services, bars, restaurants, cafes, gyms, cinemas, pools, museums, libraries, playgrounds and any other place where the public congregate will be closed during the lockdown. Supermarkets, doctors, pharmacies, service stations and access to essential banking services will all be available. Major cities like Auckland and Wellington wore a deserted look on Wednesday as businesses shut down, cafes closed and all offices locked their doors. The disruptions are expected to have a deep impact on businesses and lead to thousands of job losses. Some firms have already announced job cuts. The government has announced billions of dollars in support for small businesses, workers and families, and promised more in the coming days. On Wednesday, it announced a six-month freeze on residential rent increases and increased protection from having tenancies terminated. Ardern said it was ok to go for a walk with your children, a run near your house, or drive to get groceries during the lockdown. But everyone had to keep 2 metres (6 feet) distance, and people may be stopped and questioned by the police. This is only the second time in New Zealand’s history that a national emergency has been declared, with the first one on 23 February 2011, after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the South Island city of Christchurch, killing almost 200. Cases in neighbouring Australia have soared past 2,250 and officials have warned infections could overwhelm medical services. India's 1.3 billion population also went into complete lockdown for 21 days to protect the world's second-most populous country from coronavirus.

'Act like you have COVID-19': PM Ardern says as New Zealand heads into lockdown

United Nations is still to discuss Covid crisis, several diplomatic sources have confirmed. Both the 15 member United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and 193 strong United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) haven't taken the matter up formally.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cure-cant-be-worse-than-problem-announces-trump-as-he-vows-to-reopen-us-economy-amid-covid-19-crisis-288294" hreflang="en">'Cure can't be worse than problem', announces Trump as he vows to reopen US economy amid COVID-19 crisis</a>

The epidemic that began in China has killed 17000 people globally and infected 4,00000&nbsp;people according to data by John Hopkins University.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/has-the-original-epicentre-of-coronavirus-wuhan-really-recovered-288306">Has the original epicentre of coronavirus - Wuhan really recovered?</a> 
 
The world body, based out of New York has moved its operations virtually and is meeting through video conference now due to the COVID crisis.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/could-united-states-become-the-next-epicentre-of-covid-19-288258" hreflang="en">Could United States become the next epicentre of COVID-19?</a>

It is interesting to know that Chair for UNSC for March is China. The monthly chair of the UNSC decides what is on the agenda and guides the body. Earlier this month, when asked about will UNSC discuss COVID Zhang Jun, China's envoy to UN said, "Council members generally feel there is no reason to panic at the moment and plan to monitor the situation....(with) COVID-19 currently not on the organ’s agenda."

Explaining, "The virus falls under the umbrella of global public health and security, rather than the Council’s geopolitical scope", which is the mandate of the body.&nbsp;

The body is also divided over a resolution on the crisis, with China particularly having issues with the phrasing of the documents on COVID.

United Nations' health body--world health organisation (WHO) has itself come under much criticism in the delay to declare it a pandemic. The pandemic has accelerated fast and according to WHO's estimates, it took 67 days from the first reported case to reach the first 100,000 cases, 11 days for the second 100,000 cases and just 4 days for the third 100,000 cases.

The UNSC last met on 12 March &amp; before that discussed "peace and security in Africa: countering terrorism and extremism in Africa" and the situation in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the President of the General Assembly Tijjani Muhammad-Bande has presented a proposal on how General assembly can take essential decisions related to the organisation in the current situation.&nbsp;

Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General said, "He submitted a draft decision that would enable the General Assembly to adopt essential decisions under a silence procedure. If a plenary meeting of the General Assembly is not practicable due to the pandemic, the proposal would authorize the President of the GA to circulate, after consultation with the General Committee, draft decisions of the Assembly to all Member States under a silence procedure of at least 72 hours. If the silence is not broken, the decision shall be considered adopted. "

Meanwhile, G20 has moved fast with G20 video meet all set to happen on Thursday. This is for the first time G20 leaders will be meeting via video conference. The group., that emerged after the 2008 global financial crisis has emerged as a major political-economic forum to discuss global issues and crisis in last one decade.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has written to G20 leaders urging them to take concerted and decisive action on the current global health crisis. Calling for a “war-time” plan, Guterres urged G20 leaders to step forward with a "strong response package" to address the various threats posed by COVID.

UN will on Wednesday launch the COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan, which will assist people in vulnerable countries. 
 
The Estonian Mission to the UN was preparing a Security Council statement on Covid-19 but sources told, it had to put in on hold as not all Council members agreed to do a statement.&nbsp;

But sources were optimistic that "as things progress quite fast, let’s wait and see how we will go from here."

United Nations is still to discuss Covid crisis, several diplomatic sources have confirmed. Both the 15 member United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and 193 strong United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) haven't taken the matter up formally.

United Nations is still to discuss Covid crisis, several diplomatic sources have confirmed. Both the 15 member United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and 193 strong United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) haven't taken the matter up formally. Also read: 'Cure can't be worse than problem', announces Trump as he vows to reopen US economy amid COVID-19 crisis The epidemic that began in China has killed 17000 people globally and infected 4,00000 people according to data by John Hopkins University. Also read: Has the original epicentre of coronavirus - Wuhan really recovered? The world body, based out of New York has moved its operations virtually and is meeting through video conference now due to the COVID crisis. Also read: Could United States become the next epicentre of COVID-19? It is interesting to know that Chair for UNSC for March is China. The monthly chair of the UNSC decides what is on the agenda and guides the body. Earlier this month, when asked about will UNSC discuss COVID Zhang Jun, China's envoy to UN said, "Council members generally feel there is no reason to panic at the moment and plan to monitor the situation....(with) COVID-19 currently not on the organ’s agenda." Explaining, "The virus falls under the umbrella of global public health and security, rather than the Council’s geopolitical scope", which is the mandate of the body. The body is also divided over a resolution on the crisis, with China particularly having issues with the phrasing of the documents on COVID. United Nations' health body--world health organisation (WHO) has itself come under much criticism in the delay to declare it a pandemic. The pandemic has accelerated fast and according to WHO's estimates, it took 67 days from the first reported case to reach the first 100,000 cases, 11 days for the second 100,000 cases and just 4 days for the third 100,000 cases. The UNSC last met on 12 March & before that discussed "peace and security in Africa: countering terrorism and extremism in Africa" and the situation in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the President of the General Assembly Tijjani Muhammad-Bande has presented a proposal on how General assembly can take essential decisions related to the organisation in the current situation. Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General said, "He submitted a draft decision that would enable the General Assembly to adopt essential decisions under a silence procedure. If a plenary meeting of the General Assembly is not practicable due to the pandemic, the proposal would authorize the President of the GA to circulate, after consultation with the General Committee, draft decisions of the Assembly to all Member States under a silence procedure of at least 72 hours. If the silence is not broken, the decision shall be considered adopted. " Meanwhile, G20 has moved fast with G20 video meet all set to happen on Thursday. This is for the first time G20 leaders will be meeting via video conference. The group., that emerged after the 2008 global financial crisis has emerged as a major political-economic forum to discuss global issues and crisis in last one decade. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has written to G20 leaders urging them to take concerted and decisive action on the current global health crisis. Calling for a “war-time” plan, Guterres urged G20 leaders to step forward with a "strong response package" to address the various threats posed by COVID. UN will on Wednesday launch the COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan, which will assist people in vulnerable countries. The Estonian Mission to the UN was preparing a Security Council statement on Covid-19 but sources told, it had to put in on hold as not all Council members agreed to do a statement. But sources were optimistic that "as things progress quite fast, let’s wait and see how we will go from here."

United Nations still to discuss Covid-19 crisis formally

The first two reported cases of coronavirus positive patients in Maharashtra have been discharged from hospital on Wednesday after successfully overcoming the disease.

"Both the patients have been discharged now," said Dr Ramchandra Hunkare, Chief of Pune Municipal Corporation's health department. The cases, both from Pune, were released from the hospital after successful treatment and following the negative outcome of COVID-19 tests performed on them, twice.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/65-year-old-coronavirus-positive-patient-passes-away-in-mumbai-288190">65-year-old coronavirus positive patient passes away in Mumbai&nbsp;</a>

"Samples of three others in Pune are now tested negative for the first time and their samples have been sent for second testing again, the reports of which are expected by Wednesday evening. If those reports come negative again they shall be discharged with due process," Dr Hunkare said.

Watch: Another coronavirus death reported in Indian city Maharashtra, Death toll rises to 10

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Earlier, Pune Municipal Corporation PRO Sanjay More said, "First two positive cases found in Pune and in Maharashtra have tested negative twice for COVID-19 hence both will be discharged from hospital today."

"On March 9 they were admitted to hospital. After 14 days their samples were found negative. On Tuesday, the samples were again sent for testing and were found negative for coronavirus. So we are discharging them on Wednesday as per discharging protocol. They will be put under home quarantine for the next 14 days" the PRO said.

As per the Maharashtra Health Department on Tuesday, six more people have tested positive for coronavirus in Maharashtra, taking the total count in the state on Tuesday to 107. In India, Maharashtra has the highest number of positive cases for coronavirus.&nbsp;

The first two reported cases of coronavirus positive patients in Maharashtra have been discharged from hospital on Wednesday after successfully overcoming the disease.

The first two reported cases of coronavirus positive patients in Maharashtra have been discharged from hospital on Wednesday after successfully overcoming the disease. "Both the patients have been discharged now," said Dr Ramchandra Hunkare, Chief of Pune Municipal Corporation's health department. The cases, both from Pune, were released from the hospital after successful treatment and following the negative outcome of COVID-19 tests performed on them, twice. Also read: 65-year-old coronavirus positive patient passes away in Mumbai "Samples of three others in Pune are now tested negative for the first time and their samples have been sent for second testing again, the reports of which are expected by Wednesday evening. If those reports come negative again they shall be discharged with due process," Dr Hunkare said. Watch: Another coronavirus death reported in Indian city Maharashtra, Death toll rises to 10 Earlier, Pune Municipal Corporation PRO Sanjay More said, "First two positive cases found in Pune and in Maharashtra have tested negative twice for COVID-19 hence both will be discharged from hospital today." "On March 9 they were admitted to hospital. After 14 days their samples were found negative. On Tuesday, the samples were again sent for testing and were found negative for coronavirus. So we are discharging them on Wednesday as per discharging protocol. They will be put under home quarantine for the next 14 days" the PRO said. As per the Maharashtra Health Department on Tuesday, six more people have tested positive for coronavirus in Maharashtra, taking the total count in the state on Tuesday to 107. In India, Maharashtra has the highest number of positive cases for coronavirus.

Maharashtra's first two COVID-19 patients discharged after successfully overcoming disease

In the backdrop of the coronavirus outbreak, the first phase of Census 2021 and the updation of National Population Register (NPR) has been postponed until further orders, said Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday.

The Census 2021 was scheduled to be conducted in two phases Phase I i.e. House Listing and Housing Census during April-September, 2020 and Phase II i.e. Population Enumeration from February 9 to February 28, 2021.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mha-advises-all-states-uts-to-set-up-control-rooms-during-lockdown-288348">MHA advises all states, UTs to set up control rooms during lockdown</a>

The updation of NPR was also proposed to be done along with the Phase I of Census 2021 in all the States and Union Territories, except Assam.

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, high alert has been declared by the Government of India as well as the States and Union Territories.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/refusal-to-take-part-in-npr-by-any-state-or-official-against-constitution-sushil-kumar-modi-272212">Refusal to take part in NPR by any State or official against Constitution: Sushil Kumar Modi</a>

The Ministry of Home Affairs vide order dated March 24, 2020 has issued guidelines with the directions for their strict implementation, on the measures to be taken by the Ministries/Departments of Government of India and State/Union Territory Governments for containment of COVID-19 epidemic in the country.

A lockdown has also been declared by many States and UT governments. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued advisories for various precautionary measures, including social distancing.

Keeping in view the above, the first phase of Census 2021 and updation of NPR, which was to begin on various dates decided by the State/UT governments beginning April 1 and various related field activities, are postponed until further orders.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

In the backdrop of the coronavirus outbreak, the first phase of Census 2021 and the updation of National Population Register (NPR) has been postponed until further orders, said Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday.

In the backdrop of the coronavirus outbreak, the first phase of Census 2021 and the updation of National Population Register (NPR) has been postponed until further orders, said Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday. The Census 2021 was scheduled to be conducted in two phases Phase I i.e. House Listing and Housing Census during April-September, 2020 and Phase II i.e. Population Enumeration from February 9 to February 28, 2021. Also read: MHA advises all states, UTs to set up control rooms during lockdown The updation of NPR was also proposed to be done along with the Phase I of Census 2021 in all the States and Union Territories, except Assam. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, high alert has been declared by the Government of India as well as the States and Union Territories. Also read: Refusal to take part in NPR by any State or official against Constitution: Sushil Kumar Modi The Ministry of Home Affairs vide order dated March 24, 2020 has issued guidelines with the directions for their strict implementation, on the measures to be taken by the Ministries/Departments of Government of India and State/Union Territory Governments for containment of COVID-19 epidemic in the country. A lockdown has also been declared by many States and UT governments. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued advisories for various precautionary measures, including social distancing. Keeping in view the above, the first phase of Census 2021 and updation of NPR, which was to begin on various dates decided by the State/UT governments beginning April 1 and various related field activities, are postponed until further orders.

COVID-19: First phase of Census 2021, NPR updation postponed, says MHA

Mizoram on Wednesday reported its first case of coronavirus after a pastor, who had returned from Amsterdam on March 22, tested positive for the deadly virus.

He is now in a isolation ward of Zoram Medical College of Mizoram.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mahabharata-battle-won-in-18-days-war-against-covid-19-will-take-21-days-pm-modi-288468">Mahabharata battle won in 18 days, war against COVID-19 will take 21 days: PM Modi</a>

His sample was tested at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital in Guwahati, Assam, which declared it positive.

This information was shared by Northeast, Health Minister R Lalthangliana during a press conference in Aizawl today.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/17-covid-19-cases-confirmed-in-haryana-288469">17 COVID-19 cases confirmed in Haryana</a>

"The patient and his family have been put into quarantine facility in Zoram Medical College of Mizoram.His sample was tested at the Gauhati Medical College &amp; Hospital in Guwahati, Assam, which declared it positive.," the minister said.

Eric Zomawia, the mission director of National Health Mission (NHM) here, also spoke on the same and said they found that pastor has fallen prey to coronavirus at 9:30 pm last night and was "immediately shifted to Zoram Medical College."

Mizoram on Wednesday reported its first case of coronavirus after a pastor, who had returned from Amsterdam on March 22, tested positive for the deadly virus. He is now in a isolation ward of Zoram Medical College of Mizoram.

Mizoram on Wednesday reported its first case of coronavirus after a pastor, who had returned from Amsterdam on March 22, tested positive for the deadly virus. He is now in a isolation ward of Zoram Medical College of Mizoram. Also read: Mahabharata battle won in 18 days, war against COVID-19 will take 21 days: PM Modi His sample was tested at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital in Guwahati, Assam, which declared it positive. This information was shared by Northeast, Health Minister R Lalthangliana during a press conference in Aizawl today. Also read: 17 COVID-19 cases confirmed in Haryana "The patient and his family have been put into quarantine facility in Zoram Medical College of Mizoram.His sample was tested at the Gauhati Medical College & Hospital in Guwahati, Assam, which declared it positive.," the minister said. Eric Zomawia, the mission director of National Health Mission (NHM) here, also spoke on the same and said they found that pastor has fallen prey to coronavirus at 9:30 pm last night and was "immediately shifted to Zoram Medical College."

First coronavirus case reported in Mizoram

China lifted tough restrictions on the province at the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak on Wednesday after a months-long lockdown as the country reported no new domestic cases.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/has-the-original-epicentre-of-coronavirus-wuhan-really-recovered-288306">Has the original epicentre of coronavirus - Wuhan really recovered?</a>&nbsp;

But there were another 47 imported infections from overseas, the National Health Commission said, as the number of cases brought into the country continued to swell.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cure-cant-be-worse-than-problem-announces-trump-as-he-vows-to-reopen-us-economy-amid-covid-19-crisis-288294" hreflang="en">'Cure can't be worse than problem', announces Trump as he vows to reopen US economy amid COVID-19 crisis</a>

In total, 474 imported infections have been diagnosed in China -- mostly Chinese nationals returning home according to the foreign ministry.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/could-united-states-become-the-next-epicentre-of-covid-19-288258" hreflang="en">Could United States become the next epicentre of COVID-19?</a>&nbsp;

Four more people died, health officials said Wednesday, three in central Hubei province where the virus first emerged late last year.

China announced Tuesday that the lockdown would be lifted on more than 50 million people in Hubei, with residents now allowed to leave if healthy, with some airports and train stations, opening.

The city of Wuhan -- the initial epicentre of the outbreak -- will allow residents to leave from April 8.

Hubei ordered the shutdown in January but had been gradually easing rules and permitting people to move about within the province and return to work over recent days.

Schools remain closed, however, There have been more than 81,200 cases of COVID-19 in China and 3,281 deaths from the virus.

New cases have slowed dramatically over the last month.

But as nations globally struggle to contain the pandemic, surging numbers of imported cases in China are fuelling anxiety about a possible second wave of infections just as the country seems to be bringing its outbreak under control.

Many cities have brought in tough rules to quarantine arrivals, and all Beijing-bound international flights are being diverted to other urban centres where passengers are screened for the virus.

China lifted tough restrictions on the province at the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak on Wednesday after a months-long lockdown as the country reported no new domestic cases.

China lifted tough restrictions on the province at the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak on Wednesday after a months-long lockdown as the country reported no new domestic cases. Also read: Has the original epicentre of coronavirus - Wuhan really recovered? But there were another 47 imported infections from overseas, the National Health Commission said, as the number of cases brought into the country continued to swell. Also read: 'Cure can't be worse than problem', announces Trump as he vows to reopen US economy amid COVID-19 crisis In total, 474 imported infections have been diagnosed in China -- mostly Chinese nationals returning home according to the foreign ministry. Also read: Could United States become the next epicentre of COVID-19? Four more people died, health officials said Wednesday, three in central Hubei province where the virus first emerged late last year. China announced Tuesday that the lockdown would be lifted on more than 50 million people in Hubei, with residents now allowed to leave if healthy, with some airports and train stations, opening. The city of Wuhan -- the initial epicentre of the outbreak -- will allow residents to leave from April 8. Hubei ordered the shutdown in January but had been gradually easing rules and permitting people to move about within the province and return to work over recent days. Schools remain closed, however, There have been more than 81,200 cases of COVID-19 in China and 3,281 deaths from the virus. New cases have slowed dramatically over the last month. But as nations globally struggle to contain the pandemic, surging numbers of imported cases in China are fuelling anxiety about a possible second wave of infections just as the country seems to be bringing its outbreak under control. Many cities have brought in tough rules to quarantine arrivals, and all Beijing-bound international flights are being diverted to other urban centres where passengers are screened for the virus.

China lifts travel restrictions in Hubei province after months of coronavirus lockdown

Malaysia's prime minister on Wednesday extended a two-week virtual lockdown to April 14 as coronavirus cases continue to rise in the country, which has the highest number of infections in Southeast Asia.

Malaysia's prime minister on Wednesday extended a two-week virtual lockdown to April 14 as coronavirus cases continue to rise in the country, which has the highest number of infections in Southeast Asia. Muhyiddin Yassin said the country had 172 new coronavirus cases as of Wednesday noon, taking the total to 1796, with 17 deaths. The original restrictions were until March 31. He also said that he will announce a comprehensive people-oriented economic stimulus package on Friday.

Malaysia extends movement curbs to April 14 as virus cases surge

The number of confirmed coronavirus infection cases in Pakistan has risen to 1037, including seven deaths, authorities said on Wednesday.

The total number of coronavirus positive case has touched 1,037 in Pakistan with 413 cases in Sindh; 115 in Balochistan; 296 in Punjab; 117 in K-P; 80 in Gilgit-Baltistan; 15 in Islamabad; and one in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, The Express Tribune reported.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Kahn on Sunday had rejected the proposal for the complete lockdown to combat the coronavirus outbreak, saying that state-imposed curfew is not possible in the country as one-fourth of its population is under the below the poverty line and survives on daily wages.

"A complete lockdown means imposing a curfew administered by state and army, forcing people to stay indoors. Our country`s 25 per cent population lives below the poverty line and survives on daily wages. We are taking steps, keeping our on-ground status in mind," Pakistan Prime Minister's Office wrote on Twitter.

Earlier, In an interview, Khan had said that he fears Pakistan won't be able to cope with a major outbreak, saying the country's health facilities would be overwhelmed and would lack resources.

The country had reported its seventh death on Tuesday, involving a 57-year-old patient who was undergoing treatment at Mayo Hospital in Lahore.&nbsp;

Over 2.3 billion people have been asked to stay at home as governments across the world tackle the World Health Organisation recognised 'pandemic'.&nbsp;

The deadly coronavirus has claimed 18,957 lives and infected 425,902 people globally. Total 109,241 people have been recovered from this deadly virus. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The number of confirmed coronavirus infection cases in Pakistan has risen to 1037, including seven deaths, authorities said on Wednesday. The total number of coronavirus positive case has touched 1,037 in Pakistan with 413 cases in Sindh; 115 in Balochistan; 296 in Punjab; 117 in K-P; 80 in Gilgit-Baltistan; 15 in Islamabad; and one in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, The Express Tribune reported.

The number of confirmed coronavirus infection cases in Pakistan has risen to 1037, including seven deaths, authorities said on Wednesday. The total number of coronavirus positive case has touched 1,037 in Pakistan with 413 cases in Sindh; 115 in Balochistan; 296 in Punjab; 117 in K-P; 80 in Gilgit-Baltistan; 15 in Islamabad; and one in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, The Express Tribune reported. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Kahn on Sunday had rejected the proposal for the complete lockdown to combat the coronavirus outbreak, saying that state-imposed curfew is not possible in the country as one-fourth of its population is under the below the poverty line and survives on daily wages. "A complete lockdown means imposing a curfew administered by state and army, forcing people to stay indoors. Our country`s 25 per cent population lives below the poverty line and survives on daily wages. We are taking steps, keeping our on-ground status in mind," Pakistan Prime Minister's Office wrote on Twitter. Earlier, In an interview, Khan had said that he fears Pakistan won't be able to cope with a major outbreak, saying the country's health facilities would be overwhelmed and would lack resources. The country had reported its seventh death on Tuesday, involving a 57-year-old patient who was undergoing treatment at Mayo Hospital in Lahore. Over 2.3 billion people have been asked to stay at home as governments across the world tackle the World Health Organisation recognised 'pandemic'. The deadly coronavirus has claimed 18,957 lives and infected 425,902 people globally. Total 109,241 people have been recovered from this deadly virus. (With inputs from agencies)

Coronavirus in Pakistan: Number of case cross 1000, 7 dead

Scientists in Iceland announced Tuesday that they have found 40 mutations of the&nbsp;coronavirus&nbsp;and that seven&nbsp;cases could be traced to an English football player.

The mutations were discovered by analysing swabs of COVID-19 patients in Iceland, where almost 600 cases have been reported so far.&nbsp;The country also reported its first death due to the coronavirus on Tuesday.

The researchers identified how many mutations the virus had accumulated by using&nbsp;genetic sequencing.

These genetic variants can act as the fingerprints of the virus to indicate where in the world it originated.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iceland-confirms-first-death-from-coronavirus-288268" hreflang="en">Iceland confirms first death from coronavirus</a>

All viruses undergo mutations as they evolve, which may or may not cause them to behave in different ways.

Some mutations will make a virus more infectious, others more deadly.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/countries-under-lockdown-due-to-coronavirus-288385">Countries under lockdown due to coronavirus</a>

Mutating is the process that would have allowed this new strain of coronavirus to attack the human body in the first place - allowing it to pass from its animal host.

The new findings which have yet to be scrutinised by other experts,&nbsp;show cases in Iceland could be traced back to three countries, England, Austria and Italy.

But&nbsp;one discovery which stood&nbsp;out was the fact seven infected people all went to the same, undisclosed football match in England.

This comes as Prime Minister has imposed a lockdown in Britain and asked all Britons to ''stay at home''.

Scientists in Iceland announced Tuesday that they have found 40 mutations of the coronavirus and that seven cases could be traced to an English football player. The mutations were discovered by analysing swabs of COVID-19 patients in Iceland, where almost 600 cases have been reported so far.

Scientists in Iceland announced Tuesday that they have found 40 mutations of the coronavirus and that seven cases could be traced to an English football player. The mutations were discovered by analysing swabs of COVID-19 patients in Iceland, where almost 600 cases have been reported so far. The country also reported its first death due to the coronavirus on Tuesday. The researchers identified how many mutations the virus had accumulated by using genetic sequencing. These genetic variants can act as the fingerprints of the virus to indicate where in the world it originated. Also read: Iceland confirms first death from coronavirus All viruses undergo mutations as they evolve, which may or may not cause them to behave in different ways. Some mutations will make a virus more infectious, others more deadly. Also see: Countries under lockdown due to coronavirus Mutating is the process that would have allowed this new strain of coronavirus to attack the human body in the first place - allowing it to pass from its animal host. The new findings which have yet to be scrutinised by other experts, show cases in Iceland could be traced back to three countries, England, Austria and Italy. But one discovery which stood out was the fact seven infected people all went to the same, undisclosed football match in England. This comes as Prime Minister has imposed a lockdown in Britain and asked all Britons to ''stay at home''.

Icelandic scientists claim discovery of 40 coronavirus mutations, link seven cases to English football match

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced a complete lockdown in India in the wake of the rapid increase in number of confirmed cases of coronavirus. The coronavirus tally has crossed the 500-mark in India with over 30 fresh cases of Covid-19 getting reported from across the country on Tuesday.

The number now stands at 536.

The lockdown will begin 12 am on March 25 and will run for three weeks.

“From 12 AM tonight there will be a complete lockdown across the country. In the view of the current situation, the nationwide complete lockdown will be in place for 21 days — three weeks. If we are not able to manage the upcoming 21 days of nationwide complete lockdown, we will be pushed back 21 years,” PM Modi said, in a televised address to the nation, on Tuesday evening.

He added, “Today India is at the stage where our actions today, will decide that to what extent we can bring down the impact of this disaster. This is the time to strengthen our resolve again and again.”

The prime minister also announced the allocation of Rs 15,000 crore to strengthen the health infrastructure in India. He said the fund would be used for developing health infrastructure in the country, increasing the number of beds, testing kits, and even training of professionals to combat the disease.

Prime Minister Modi&nbsp;also emphasised social distancing as the only resort to fighting the growth of coronavirus, adding it should be exercised at any cost.&nbsp;

“Social distancing is the only option to stay safe and to stop <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Coronavirus?src=hashtag_click">Coronavirus</a> - stay at a distance from each other and stay inside your houses,” PM Modi said.

PM Modi also thanked the citizens for the smooth execution of Janata Curfew imposed in the wake of the rapid increase in number of confirmed cases of coronavirus.

“The one-day <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JantaCurfew?src=hashtag_click">Janata Curfew</a> showed how we Indians come together and fight against any trouble which comes before the country and the mankind,” he said.

He added, “While staying at home, remember&amp;pray for people who are working while putting their lives at risk. Remember the doctors, nurses, paramedics, pathologists who are working day&amp;night to save lives, hospital administration, ambulance drivers, ward boys, serving others in these tough times.

“Pray for people who are working to sanitise your society and neigbourhoods, roads and public places to ensure complete eradication of the virus. You must also think about the media persons who are working 24 hours, by staying on roads and going to hospitals, to give you correct info.

“Think about the police personnel who are on their duty, day and night - without thinking about their own family, to protect you and your family. They also face the anger of some people sometimes.”

“Lockdown of 21 days is a long time, but this is important for you and your family's safety. I believe that every Indian will not only successfully tackle this challenge but also emerge victorious in this time of crisis,” he concluded.

PM Modi later tweeted to show solidarity with the people of the country, and asked them to not panic. He said essential commodities and medicines would still be available for all.

“My fellow citizens, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO NEED TO PANIC. Essential commodities, medicines etc would be available. Centre &amp; various state governments will work in close coordination to ensure this. Together, we will fight <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hashtag_click">#COVID19</a> and create a healthier India. Jai Hind!”

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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My fellow citizens, 
 
THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO NEED TO PANIC. 
 
Essential commodities, medicines etc. would be available. Centre and various state governments will work in close coordination to ensure this. 
 
Together, we will fight COVID-19 and create a healthier India. 
 
Jai Hind!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1242476408896507910?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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By converging around shops, you are risking the spread of COVID-19. 
 
No panic buying please. 
 
Please stay indoors. 
 
I repeat- Centre and State Governments will ensure all essentials are available. <a href="https://t.co/bX00az1h7l">https://t.co/bX00az1h7l</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1242477941407117316?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

India has so far witnessed cases of COVID-19 mostly related to travel and local transmission from imported cases. Community transmission of the disease has not been documented till now.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced a complete lockdown in India in the wake of the rapid increase in number of confirmed cases of coronavirus. The coronavirus tally has crossed the 500-mark in India with over 30 fresh cases of Covid-19 getting reported from across the country on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced a complete lockdown in India in the wake of the rapid increase in number of confirmed cases of coronavirus. The coronavirus tally has crossed the 500-mark in India with over 30 fresh cases of Covid-19 getting reported from across the country on Tuesday. The number now stands at 536. The lockdown will begin 12 am on March 25 and will run for three weeks. “From 12 AM tonight there will be a complete lockdown across the country. In the view of the current situation, the nationwide complete lockdown will be in place for 21 days — three weeks. If we are not able to manage the upcoming 21 days of nationwide complete lockdown, we will be pushed back 21 years,” PM Modi said, in a televised address to the nation, on Tuesday evening. He added, “Today India is at the stage where our actions today, will decide that to what extent we can bring down the impact of this disaster. This is the time to strengthen our resolve again and again.” The prime minister also announced the allocation of Rs 15,000 crore to strengthen the health infrastructure in India. He said the fund would be used for developing health infrastructure in the country, increasing the number of beds, testing kits, and even training of professionals to combat the disease. Prime Minister Modi also emphasised social distancing as the only resort to fighting the growth of coronavirus, adding it should be exercised at any cost. “Social distancing is the only option to stay safe and to stop Coronavirus - stay at a distance from each other and stay inside your houses,” PM Modi said. PM Modi also thanked the citizens for the smooth execution of Janata Curfew imposed in the wake of the rapid increase in number of confirmed cases of coronavirus. “The one-day Janata Curfew showed how we Indians come together and fight against any trouble which comes before the country and the mankind,” he said. He added, “While staying at home, remember&pray for people who are working while putting their lives at risk. Remember the doctors, nurses, paramedics, pathologists who are working day&night to save lives, hospital administration, ambulance drivers, ward boys, serving others in these tough times. “Pray for people who are working to sanitise your society and neigbourhoods, roads and public places to ensure complete eradication of the virus. You must also think about the media persons who are working 24 hours, by staying on roads and going to hospitals, to give you correct info. “Think about the police personnel who are on their duty, day and night - without thinking about their own family, to protect you and your family. They also face the anger of some people sometimes.” “Lockdown of 21 days is a long time, but this is important for you and your family's safety. I believe that every Indian will not only successfully tackle this challenge but also emerge victorious in this time of crisis,” he concluded. PM Modi later tweeted to show solidarity with the people of the country, and asked them to not panic. He said essential commodities and medicines would still be available for all. “My fellow citizens, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO NEED TO PANIC. Essential commodities, medicines etc would be available. Centre & various state governments will work in close coordination to ensure this. Together, we will fight #COVID19 and create a healthier India. Jai Hind!” My fellow citizens, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO NEED TO PANIC. Essential commodities, medicines etc. would be available. Centre and various state governments will work in close coordination to ensure this. Together, we will fight COVID-19 and create a healthier India. Jai Hind! — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 24, 2020 × By converging around shops, you are risking the spread of COVID-19. No panic buying please. Please stay indoors. I repeat- Centre and State Governments will ensure all essentials are available. https://t.co/bX00az1h7l — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 24, 2020 × India has so far witnessed cases of COVID-19 mostly related to travel and local transmission from imported cases. Community transmission of the disease has not been documented till now.

India under complete lockdown for three weeks, announces PM Modi

In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg said that she likely contracted the coronavirus 
 
The teen climate activist said that she had recovered after isolating herself for the last two weeks.&nbsp;

Despite having symptoms, the 17-year-old said she was not tested for Covid-19.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/has-the-original-epicentre-of-coronavirus-wuhan-really-recovered-288306">Has the original epicentre of coronavirus - Wuhan really recovered?</a>&nbsp;

Thunberg urged her followers to heed warnings by health officials to stay at home to slow the spread of the virus, especially in high-risk groups.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cure-cant-be-worse-than-problem-announces-trump-as-he-vows-to-reopen-us-economy-amid-covid-19-crisis-288294" hreflang="en">'Cure can't be worse than problem', announces Trump as he vows to reopen US economy amid COVID-19 crisis</a>

"Around ten days ago I started feeling some symptoms... I was feeling tired, had shivers, a sore throat and coughed," she said in the post.

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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-HwpQkJqrc/?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">The last two weeks I’ve stayed inside. When I returned from my trip around Central Europe I isolated myself (in a borrowed apartment away from my mother and sister) since the number of cases of COVID-19 (in Germany for instance) were similar to Italy in the beginning. Around ten days ago I started feeling some symptoms, exactly the same time as my father - who traveled with me from Brussels. I was feeling tired, had shivers, a sore throat and coughed. My dad experienced the same symptoms, but much more intense and with a fever. In Sweden you can not test yourself for COVID-19 unless you’re in need of emergent medical treatment. Everyone feeling ill are told to stay at home and isolate themselves. I have therefore not been tested for COVID-19, but it’s extremely likely that I’ve had it, given the combined symptoms and circumstances. Now I’ve basically recovered, but - AND THIS IS THE BOTTOM LINE: I almost didn’t feel ill. My last cold was much worse than this! Had it not been for someone else having the virus simultainously I might not even have suspected anything. Then I would just have thought I was feeling unusually tired with a bit of a cough. And this it what makes it so much more dangerous. Many (especially young people) might not notice any symptoms at all, or very mild symptoms. Then they don’t know they have the virus and can pass it on to people in risk groups. We who don’t belong to a risk group have an enormous responsibility, our actions can be the difference between life and death for many others. Please keep that in mind, follow the advice from experts and your local authorities and #StayAtHome to slow the spread of the virus. And remember to always take care of each other and help those in need. #COVID #flattenthecurve</a>

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In early March, Thunberg, who spearheaded the "school strike for climate" movement, called for a digital protest so as to avoid large gatherings that could exacerbate the spread of the new coronavirus.

She had invited activists to post photos of themselves with the word #ClimateStrikeOnline every Friday instead of attending demonstrations in the streets.

(With inputs from agencies)

In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg said that she likely contracted the coronavirus The teen climate activist said that she had recovered after isolating herself for the last two weeks.

In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg said that she likely contracted the coronavirus The teen climate activist said that she had recovered after isolating herself for the last two weeks. Despite having symptoms, the 17-year-old said she was not tested for Covid-19. Also read: Has the original epicentre of coronavirus - Wuhan really recovered? Thunberg urged her followers to heed warnings by health officials to stay at home to slow the spread of the virus, especially in high-risk groups. Also read: 'Cure can't be worse than problem', announces Trump as he vows to reopen US economy amid COVID-19 crisis "Around ten days ago I started feeling some symptoms... I was feeling tired, had shivers, a sore throat and coughed," she said in the post. View this post on Instagram The last two weeks I’ve stayed inside. When I returned from my trip around Central Europe I isolated myself (in a borrowed apartment away from my mother and sister) since the number of cases of COVID-19 (in Germany for instance) were similar to Italy in the beginning. Around ten days ago I started feeling some symptoms, exactly the same time as my father - who traveled with me from Brussels. I was feeling tired, had shivers, a sore throat and coughed. My dad experienced the same symptoms, but much more intense and with a fever. In Sweden you can not test yourself for COVID-19 unless you’re in need of emergent medical treatment. Everyone feeling ill are told to stay at home and isolate themselves. I have therefore not been tested for COVID-19, but it’s extremely likely that I’ve had it, given the combined symptoms and circumstances. Now I’ve basically recovered, but - AND THIS IS THE BOTTOM LINE: I almost didn’t feel ill. My last cold was much worse than this! Had it not been for someone else having the virus simultainously I might not even have suspected anything. Then I would just have thought I was feeling unusually tired with a bit of a cough. And this it what makes it so much more dangerous. Many (especially young people) might not notice any symptoms at all, or very mild symptoms. Then they don’t know they have the virus and can pass it on to people in risk groups. We who don’t belong to a risk group have an enormous responsibility, our actions can be the difference between life and death for many others. Please keep that in mind, follow the advice from experts and your local authorities and #StayAtHome to slow the spread of the virus. And remember to always take care of each other and help those in need. #COVID #flattenthecurve A post shared by Greta Thunberg (@gretathunberg) on Mar 24, 2020 at 8:22am PDT × In early March, Thunberg, who spearheaded the "school strike for climate" movement, called for a digital protest so as to avoid large gatherings that could exacerbate the spread of the new coronavirus. She had invited activists to post photos of themselves with the word #ClimateStrikeOnline every Friday instead of attending demonstrations in the streets. (With inputs from agencies)

Greta Thunberg says she 'likely' had Covid-19 infection; urges young people to stay home

As the coronavirus spreads across the United States, Chinese students from wealthy families are persuading their parents to pay tens of thousands of dollars for seats on private jets to get home.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/has-the-original-epicentre-of-coronavirus-wuhan-really-recovered-288306">Has the original epicentre of coronavirus - Wuhan really recovered?</a>&nbsp;

The alternative, in a world of locked borders and grounded commercial planes, is 60-hour flights with multiple transits hops over the Pacific. Jeff Gong, a lawyer in Shanghai, asked his daughter, a high school student in Wisconsin if she wanted 180,000 yuan ($25,460) as pocket money or a ticket on a private flight home."My daughter begged me to get her back home. She said 'No papa, I don't want the money, I want to go home'," he said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/could-united-states-become-the-next-epicentre-of-covid-19-288258" hreflang="en">Could United States become the next epicentre of COVID-19?</a>&nbsp;

US-based Chinese students are scrambling to get home as U.S infections top 50,000 while new cases in China - where the flu-like virus emerged in humans late last year - have fallen to zero.The sense of urgency is further heightened by the dramatic cutback in flight capacity.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cure-cant-be-worse-than-problem-announces-trump-as-he-vows-to-reopen-us-economy-amid-covid-19-crisis-288294" hreflang="en">'Cure can't be worse than problem', announces Trump as he vows to reopen US economy amid COVID-19 crisis</a>

On Tuesday, 3,102 out of 3,800 planned commercial flights to and from China were cancelled, according to aviation data provider VariFlight."(Education) agents and schools are the ones making contact on behalf of the Chinese families looking to group to arrange a private charter, given the lack of airline flights," said Annelies Garcia, commercial director for Private Fly, a global booking service for charter flights.

But even the window for chartered flights is closing fast, further elevating prices. Beijing has banned all chartered flights from overseas and Shanghai is expected to follow suit soon

Hong Kong and Macau have blocked transit flights

US-based Air Charter Service can fly passengers from Los Angeles to Shanghai on a 14-seat Bombardier 6000 for 2.3 million yuan ($325,300), or about $23,000 for a spot

"We have arranged several private jets travelling from the US to China repatriating Chinese nationals with routes including New York and Boston to Shanghai, San Jose to Hong Kong and Los Angeles to Guangzhou," said Glenn Phillips, a PR and advertising manager at Air Charter Service

"The prices range greatly depending on the positioning of the aircraft on the dates and time requested, and the exact route."But even the well-heeled have to wrestle with logistics.Air charter providers have been notified informally that private jets registered in China are not allowed to land in the United States, and those registered in the United States cannot land in China, two sources at such firms told Reuters

"The Chinese government is reluctant to let people abroad to come back, though they cannot make it too obvious. We have received a lot of verbal guidance to restrict chartered flights these days and the door is closing rapidly," one of them said.Jet operators circumvent the restrictions by either getting planes from other countries to run the U.S.-China routes or arranging transfers in Tokyo, they said.

"Operators of U.S or Chinese-registered aircraft are not permitted to land in each other's countries at the moment, so for U.S.-China route inquiries, we are working with operators of long-range jets based elsewhere," said Private Fly's Garcia

The Civil Aviation Administration of China did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

As the coronavirus spreads across the United States, Chinese students from wealthy families are persuading their parents to pay tens of thousands of dollars for seats on private jets to get home.

As the coronavirus spreads across the United States, Chinese students from wealthy families are persuading their parents to pay tens of thousands of dollars for seats on private jets to get home. Also read: Has the original epicentre of coronavirus - Wuhan really recovered? The alternative, in a world of locked borders and grounded commercial planes, is 60-hour flights with multiple transits hops over the Pacific. Jeff Gong, a lawyer in Shanghai, asked his daughter, a high school student in Wisconsin if she wanted 180,000 yuan ($25,460) as pocket money or a ticket on a private flight home."My daughter begged me to get her back home. She said 'No papa, I don't want the money, I want to go home'," he said. Also read: Could United States become the next epicentre of COVID-19? US-based Chinese students are scrambling to get home as U.S infections top 50,000 while new cases in China - where the flu-like virus emerged in humans late last year - have fallen to zero.The sense of urgency is further heightened by the dramatic cutback in flight capacity. Also read: 'Cure can't be worse than problem', announces Trump as he vows to reopen US economy amid COVID-19 crisis On Tuesday, 3,102 out of 3,800 planned commercial flights to and from China were cancelled, according to aviation data provider VariFlight."(Education) agents and schools are the ones making contact on behalf of the Chinese families looking to group to arrange a private charter, given the lack of airline flights," said Annelies Garcia, commercial director for Private Fly, a global booking service for charter flights. But even the window for chartered flights is closing fast, further elevating prices. Beijing has banned all chartered flights from overseas and Shanghai is expected to follow suit soon Hong Kong and Macau have blocked transit flights US-based Air Charter Service can fly passengers from Los Angeles to Shanghai on a 14-seat Bombardier 6000 for 2.3 million yuan ($325,300), or about $23,000 for a spot "We have arranged several private jets travelling from the US to China repatriating Chinese nationals with routes including New York and Boston to Shanghai, San Jose to Hong Kong and Los Angeles to Guangzhou," said Glenn Phillips, a PR and advertising manager at Air Charter Service "The prices range greatly depending on the positioning of the aircraft on the dates and time requested, and the exact route."But even the well-heeled have to wrestle with logistics.Air charter providers have been notified informally that private jets registered in China are not allowed to land in the United States, and those registered in the United States cannot land in China, two sources at such firms told Reuters "The Chinese government is reluctant to let people abroad to come back, though they cannot make it too obvious. We have received a lot of verbal guidance to restrict chartered flights these days and the door is closing rapidly," one of them said.Jet operators circumvent the restrictions by either getting planes from other countries to run the U.S.-China routes or arranging transfers in Tokyo, they said. "Operators of U.S or Chinese-registered aircraft are not permitted to land in each other's countries at the moment, so for U.S.-China route inquiries, we are working with operators of long-range jets based elsewhere," said Private Fly's Garcia The Civil Aviation Administration of China did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Chinese students fleeing virus-hit US pay $20,000 for seats on private jets

Indiscriminate in targeting its victims, the latest coronavirus (COVID-19) casts a very different light on the need to enforce international law governing wars as well as human and minority rights. It exposes the needs of tens of millions of refugees and displaced persons in destitute camps in Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Bangladesh and shantytowns across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

It also puts issues of basic rights, poverty, homelessness, and equitable income distribution from a different perspective. Refugees, displaced persons, and embattled minorities that have been for the longest time viewed as humanitarian or political problems that needed to be contained and kept beyond one’s borders. now constitute a global public health hazard.

The public health hazard is enhanced by punitive, crippling sanctions and blockades designed to impose the will of one country on another with little measurable effect beyond economic degradation, making often weak health systems even more feeble.

In Iran, one of the world’s hardest-hit countries, and the Gaza Strip, that reported its first infections in recent days, the hazard is enhanced not only by corruption and mismanagement but also punitive and crippling sanctions and blockades designed to impose the will of one country on another with little measurable effect beyond economic degradation and making often weak health systems even more feeble.

It’s a hazard that raises the threat level not only in the current pandemic that has already wreaked havoc on lives, economies, and social life, but also in future ones.

“The storm will pass, humankind will survive, most of us will still be alive — but we will inhabit a different world,” predicted historian Yuval Noah Harari.

“Pandemics are a part of biologic history. They reshape economics, they reshape sociology,” added Mike Leavitt, a former Republican US Secretary of Health and Human Services and Governor of Utah.

Writer and activist Susan Sontag noted some four decades ago that “illness as a metaphor for political disorder is one of the oldest notions of political philosophy.”

By implication, Harari and Leavitt and Sontag suggest that pandemics create opportunities to rethink political, economic, and social relations. That may be what is needed but the odds are against it.

More likely is that a different world will mostly be shaped by elements of reactive measures taken by governments across the globe who failed to initially take the coronavirus seriously on day one—Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan being notable exceptions.

Leaving aside the fundamental issues of striking a balance between privacy and surveillance, those reactive actions and procedures are likely to amount to band-aids rather than lessons learned. They will not lead to a fundamental rethinking of issues that pose a major threat to millions of lives far beyond the boundaries of refugee camps and shantytowns. And they are unlikely to result in the social cohesion needed to confront the inevitable next crisis.

The coronavirus also spotlights the inherent threat posed by the lack of transparency and the politicization of a global health crisis by civilizationalist and illiberal, authoritarian or autocratic leaders. Such leaders, including US President Donald J. Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Egyptian General-turned-President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and Turkey’s leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who prioritize domestic political and geopolitical gain and economic preservation rather than timely public health policy and simple decency and humanity.

Even though senior government officials across the globe have been infected, it’s the hundreds of thousands of victims of the coronavirus and the hundreds of millions whose social and economic lives have been disrupted that pay the price of delayed and inadequate responses.

“Sanctions are the number one cause of Iran’s limited access to medicine and other basic resources. These pressures are severely compounded during this global health crisis and are felt acutely in the day-to-day lives of Iranian citizens . . . Just as outbound travel has been suspended, the import of aid coming into Iran is limited, if at all, furthering the sense that even when dealing with a concern that affects the whole world, Iranians are largely on their own,” reflected comparative literature PhD candidate Donna Honarpisheh from self-isolation during a family visit to Shiraz.

The fact that a contagious health hazard in one country threatens public health worldwide, makes ensuring the universal existence of robust national healthcare systems a global concern.

The fact that a contagious health hazard in one country potentially threatens public health worldwide, makes ensuring the universal existence of robust national healthcare systems a global rather than a national concern.

Prioritising politics rather than common sense self-preservation that fails to strike a balance between humanity, global public health, and national security is likely to harden positions rather than create opportunities for conflict resolution.

As a result, Iran’s isolation and Gaza’s blockade by Israel and Egypt for the past 13 years are likely to be reflected in longer-term Iranian and Palestinian political wrath and other hostile attitudes towards the outside world.

The United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar – the only countries to have come to Iran’s aid – were among the few in the international community to recognize that how the world handles the crisis has consequences that go far beyond healthcare.

That is true even if the UAE and Kuwait acted to ensure that they would not be targets in any future US-Iranian confrontation. Whereas Qatar honoured its relations with Iran since Tehran provides crucial logistical support, enabling Doha to withstand the almost three-year-old UAE-Saudi-led economic and diplomatic boycott of the Gulf state.

Adding to the woes of Iran, like other countries with governments that are untransparent or at best economical with the truth, is the fact that the regime’s trust deficit complicates getting public compliance with extraordinary measures and raises the specter of protests at a time of quarantines and social distancing.

Egyptian authorities arrested four prominent women in recent days for protesting in demand of the release of prisoners as a healthcare measure. Hundreds of Egyptians reportedly attempted to storm public laboratories to obtain a coronavirus test.

The locked-down Philippines capital of Manila is awash with rumours of food shortages and fears of rioting and looting.

It’s at best a matter of time before the human carnage hits camps for refugees and displaced persons across the Middle East and in Asia and Africa as well as countries like Venezuela that have failing health systems as a result of mismanagement and corruption. All failures are compounded by sanctions.

“Millions of conflict-affected people are living in cramped refugee and displacement sites with desperately poor hygiene and sanitation facilities. There will be carnage when the virus reaches parts of Syria, Yemen, and Venezuela where hospitals have been demolished and health systems have collapsed,” said Jan Egeland, Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council.

Yemen already knows the consequences. It suffered in 2017 a dramatic surge of cholera, a disease that had been virtually eradicated from the planet.

The question is not only what happens when disease and death on a large scale or food shortages and/or famine hit the world’s most vulnerable holed up in inhuman conditions with nothing more to lose.

It is also whether governments and elites have the foresight and political will to build a new world order that is not only equitable but also creates the political, economic, and social conditions for the management of future pandemics at a potentially lower social and economic cost for all.

That may be a tall order in a world dominated by civilizational and nationalist leaders whose primary concern are not ensuring robust structures capable of fighting indiscriminate global threats but short-term political gain, self-aggrandizement, the settling of political scores, and narrow visions of ethnic or religious supremacy.

It’s an approach that adds to already mounting threats of increased political instability and violence as well as migration in magnitudes that could dwarf the world’s current problem of coping with large-scale dislocation. 
 
(The article was first published on<a href="https://insidearabia.com/refugees-and-shantytowns-in-mena-and-beyond-imperil-global-public-health/"> Inside Arabia</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

&nbsp;

Indiscriminate in targeting its victims, the latest coronavirus (COVID-19) casts a very different light on the need to enforce international law governing wars as well as human and minority rights.

Indiscriminate in targeting its victims, the latest coronavirus (COVID-19) casts a very different light on the need to enforce international law governing wars as well as human and minority rights. It exposes the needs of tens of millions of refugees and displaced persons in destitute camps in Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Bangladesh and shantytowns across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. It also puts issues of basic rights, poverty, homelessness, and equitable income distribution from a different perspective. Refugees, displaced persons, and embattled minorities that have been for the longest time viewed as humanitarian or political problems that needed to be contained and kept beyond one’s borders. now constitute a global public health hazard. The public health hazard is enhanced by punitive, crippling sanctions and blockades designed to impose the will of one country on another with little measurable effect beyond economic degradation, making often weak health systems even more feeble. In Iran, one of the world’s hardest-hit countries, and the Gaza Strip, that reported its first infections in recent days, the hazard is enhanced not only by corruption and mismanagement but also punitive and crippling sanctions and blockades designed to impose the will of one country on another with little measurable effect beyond economic degradation and making often weak health systems even more feeble. It’s a hazard that raises the threat level not only in the current pandemic that has already wreaked havoc on lives, economies, and social life, but also in future ones. “The storm will pass, humankind will survive, most of us will still be alive — but we will inhabit a different world,” predicted historian Yuval Noah Harari. “Pandemics are a part of biologic history. They reshape economics, they reshape sociology,” added Mike Leavitt, a former Republican US Secretary of Health and Human Services and Governor of Utah. Writer and activist Susan Sontag noted some four decades ago that “illness as a metaphor for political disorder is one of the oldest notions of political philosophy.” By implication, Harari and Leavitt and Sontag suggest that pandemics create opportunities to rethink political, economic, and social relations. That may be what is needed but the odds are against it. More likely is that a different world will mostly be shaped by elements of reactive measures taken by governments across the globe who failed to initially take the coronavirus seriously on day one—Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan being notable exceptions. Leaving aside the fundamental issues of striking a balance between privacy and surveillance, those reactive actions and procedures are likely to amount to band-aids rather than lessons learned. They will not lead to a fundamental rethinking of issues that pose a major threat to millions of lives far beyond the boundaries of refugee camps and shantytowns. And they are unlikely to result in the social cohesion needed to confront the inevitable next crisis. The coronavirus also spotlights the inherent threat posed by the lack of transparency and the politicization of a global health crisis by civilizationalist and illiberal, authoritarian or autocratic leaders. Such leaders, including US President Donald J. Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Egyptian General-turned-President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and Turkey’s leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who prioritize domestic political and geopolitical gain and economic preservation rather than timely public health policy and simple decency and humanity. Even though senior government officials across the globe have been infected, it’s the hundreds of thousands of victims of the coronavirus and the hundreds of millions whose social and economic lives have been disrupted that pay the price of delayed and inadequate responses. “Sanctions are the number one cause of Iran’s limited access to medicine and other basic resources. These pressures are severely compounded during this global health crisis and are felt acutely in the day-to-day lives of Iranian citizens . . . Just as outbound travel has been suspended, the import of aid coming into Iran is limited, if at all, furthering the sense that even when dealing with a concern that affects the whole world, Iranians are largely on their own,” reflected comparative literature PhD candidate Donna Honarpisheh from self-isolation during a family visit to Shiraz. The fact that a contagious health hazard in one country threatens public health worldwide, makes ensuring the universal existence of robust national healthcare systems a global concern. The fact that a contagious health hazard in one country potentially threatens public health worldwide, makes ensuring the universal existence of robust national healthcare systems a global rather than a national concern. Prioritising politics rather than common sense self-preservation that fails to strike a balance between humanity, global public health, and national security is likely to harden positions rather than create opportunities for conflict resolution. As a result, Iran’s isolation and Gaza’s blockade by Israel and Egypt for the past 13 years are likely to be reflected in longer-term Iranian and Palestinian political wrath and other hostile attitudes towards the outside world. The United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar – the only countries to have come to Iran’s aid – were among the few in the international community to recognize that how the world handles the crisis has consequences that go far beyond healthcare. That is true even if the UAE and Kuwait acted to ensure that they would not be targets in any future US-Iranian confrontation. Whereas Qatar honoured its relations with Iran since Tehran provides crucial logistical support, enabling Doha to withstand the almost three-year-old UAE-Saudi-led economic and diplomatic boycott of the Gulf state. Adding to the woes of Iran, like other countries with governments that are untransparent or at best economical with the truth, is the fact that the regime’s trust deficit complicates getting public compliance with extraordinary measures and raises the specter of protests at a time of quarantines and social distancing. Egyptian authorities arrested four prominent women in recent days for protesting in demand of the release of prisoners as a healthcare measure. Hundreds of Egyptians reportedly attempted to storm public laboratories to obtain a coronavirus test. The locked-down Philippines capital of Manila is awash with rumours of food shortages and fears of rioting and looting. It’s at best a matter of time before the human carnage hits camps for refugees and displaced persons across the Middle East and in Asia and Africa as well as countries like Venezuela that have failing health systems as a result of mismanagement and corruption. All failures are compounded by sanctions. “Millions of conflict-affected people are living in cramped refugee and displacement sites with desperately poor hygiene and sanitation facilities. There will be carnage when the virus reaches parts of Syria, Yemen, and Venezuela where hospitals have been demolished and health systems have collapsed,” said Jan Egeland, Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council. Yemen already knows the consequences. It suffered in 2017 a dramatic surge of cholera, a disease that had been virtually eradicated from the planet. The question is not only what happens when disease and death on a large scale or food shortages and/or famine hit the world’s most vulnerable holed up in inhuman conditions with nothing more to lose. It is also whether governments and elites have the foresight and political will to build a new world order that is not only equitable but also creates the political, economic, and social conditions for the management of future pandemics at a potentially lower social and economic cost for all. That may be a tall order in a world dominated by civilizational and nationalist leaders whose primary concern are not ensuring robust structures capable of fighting indiscriminate global threats but short-term political gain, self-aggrandizement, the settling of political scores, and narrow visions of ethnic or religious supremacy. It’s an approach that adds to already mounting threats of increased political instability and violence as well as migration in magnitudes that could dwarf the world’s current problem of coping with large-scale dislocation. (The article was first published on Inside Arabia) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Refugees could become the worst victims of coronavirus pandemic

The health administration officials of the Rajasthan government on Tuesday set up a medical war room to fight deadly coronavirus pandemic that has created fear in the world.

Following 17 coronavirus suspects testing positive in Bhilwara and Jhunjhunu in the past two days, the district administration has imposed a curfew and sealed city's borders to trace the source of contagion.&nbsp;

Taking immediate action in the direction of the fighting pandemic, the district administration has so far screened about one-third of the population of the Bhilwara district.&nbsp;

District Collector Shri Rajendra Bhatt informed that 949000 persons have been screened by surveying 192107 houses till Monday.&nbsp;

On Monday, 229 in urban areas and more than one thousand five hundred teams surveyed in rural areas.

Only in Bhilwara 13 people, including three doctors and nine nursing staffers of a hospital, tested positive over the past few days.

Patients who tested positive had been quarantined

Amid the rumours of Bhilwara becoming the epicentre of the deadly Covid-19 virus of, the Additional Chief Secretary termed as baseless the rumour that Bhilwara had turned into Italy.

The official also urged people not to panic.

Between the period of March 19 to March 24, around 70,000 families have been screened and over 300,000 people have been surveyed in Bhilwara.&nbsp;

Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma said "On March 19, we received information that a few suspected cases have been reported in Bhilwara. Without delay, we sent over 300 members of the rapid response team. Intense surveying is on in this business town since then,".

(With inputs from agencies)

The health administration officials of the Rajasthan government on Tuesday set up a medical war room to fight deadly coronavirus pandemic that has created fear in the world.

The health administration officials of the Rajasthan government on Tuesday set up a medical war room to fight deadly coronavirus pandemic that has created fear in the world. Following 17 coronavirus suspects testing positive in Bhilwara and Jhunjhunu in the past two days, the district administration has imposed a curfew and sealed city's borders to trace the source of contagion. Taking immediate action in the direction of the fighting pandemic, the district administration has so far screened about one-third of the population of the Bhilwara district. District Collector Shri Rajendra Bhatt informed that 949000 persons have been screened by surveying 192107 houses till Monday. On Monday, 229 in urban areas and more than one thousand five hundred teams surveyed in rural areas. Only in Bhilwara 13 people, including three doctors and nine nursing staffers of a hospital, tested positive over the past few days. Patients who tested positive had been quarantined Amid the rumours of Bhilwara becoming the epicentre of the deadly Covid-19 virus of, the Additional Chief Secretary termed as baseless the rumour that Bhilwara had turned into Italy. The official also urged people not to panic. Between the period of March 19 to March 24, around 70,000 families have been screened and over 300,000 people have been surveyed in Bhilwara. Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma said "On March 19, we received information that a few suspected cases have been reported in Bhilwara. Without delay, we sent over 300 members of the rapid response team. Intense surveying is on in this business town since then,". (With inputs from agencies)

Massive screening exercise in Rajasthan's Bhilwara after doctor tests positive for coronavirus

India on Tuesday got its own testing kit for the deadly novel coronavirus, which has been wreaking havoc over the world. A Pune-based molecular diagnostic company Mylab has becomes the first Indian company to have received the validation for its Covid-19 diagnostic test kits. It has received its commercial approval from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

The laboratory is expecting the first batch to be out by Wednesday — March 25.

The other company to have received the approval is Germany's Altona Diagnostics.

The coronavirus tally has crossed the 500-mark in India — with the first case coming to light from the North East on Tuesday.

Over 30 fresh cases of Covid-19 were reported from across the country on Tuesday, taking the number to&nbsp;536.

Mylab's turn around time is 2-1/2 hours as opposed to current lab based testing time (4 hours). Mylabs is looking to price its kits around INR 1200.

According to WHO, India is testing 15 people in 1 million — one of the lowest.

India had earlier limited the tests only for patients with travel history and those who are "suspected cases" of Covid-19. But the ICMR lately reworked its strategy. It said all hospitalised patients with severe acute respiratory illness, shortness of breath and having fever and cough will now be tested for&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;infection. The new&nbsp;ICMR&nbsp;guidelines also said asymptomatic direct and high-risk contacts of a confirmed case should be tested once between day 5 and day 14 of coming in his/her contact.

India has so far witnessed cases of COVID-19 mostly related to travel and local transmission from imported cases. Community transmission of the disease has not been documented till now.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-reworks-testing-strategy-to-combat-coronavirus-spread-287758">Also read:&nbsp;India reworks testing strategy to combat coronavirus spread</a>

India on Tuesday got its own testing kit for the deadly novel coronavirus, which has been wreaking havoc over the world. A Pune-based molecular diagnostic company Mylab has becomes the first Indian company to have received the validation for its Covid-19 diagnostic test kits.

India on Tuesday got its own testing kit for the deadly novel coronavirus, which has been wreaking havoc over the world. A Pune-based molecular diagnostic company Mylab has becomes the first Indian company to have received the validation for its Covid-19 diagnostic test kits. It has received its commercial approval from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The laboratory is expecting the first batch to be out by Wednesday — March 25. The other company to have received the approval is Germany's Altona Diagnostics. The coronavirus tally has crossed the 500-mark in India — with the first case coming to light from the North East on Tuesday. Over 30 fresh cases of Covid-19 were reported from across the country on Tuesday, taking the number to 536. Mylab's turn around time is 2-1/2 hours as opposed to current lab based testing time (4 hours). Mylabs is looking to price its kits around INR 1200. According to WHO, India is testing 15 people in 1 million — one of the lowest. India had earlier limited the tests only for patients with travel history and those who are "suspected cases" of Covid-19. But the ICMR lately reworked its strategy. It said all hospitalised patients with severe acute respiratory illness, shortness of breath and having fever and cough will now be tested for COVID-19 infection. The new ICMR guidelines also said asymptomatic direct and high-risk contacts of a confirmed case should be tested once between day 5 and day 14 of coming in his/her contact. India has so far witnessed cases of COVID-19 mostly related to travel and local transmission from imported cases. Community transmission of the disease has not been documented till now. Also read: India reworks testing strategy to combat coronavirus spread

India gets its own Covid-19 testing kit

The IT city of Bengaluru got its first integrated war room to combat the Covid-19 outbreak. The state of Karnataka has so far detected 38 cases, most of which are in the capital city Bengaluru. The war room was built by the BBMP in just 24 hours and will bring all relevant departments under one roof to tackle the virus problem in a more streamlined manner. &nbsp;

'This war room is a tool to track the location of the Covid-19 positive patients, monitor those home quarantined and those who have returned from various foreign countries. The war room will also monitor the primary and secondary contacts of all the positive cases' said Anil Kumar, BBMP Commissioner. &nbsp;

The war room will run 24/7 and will serve as a virtual training centre for health professionals and government officials. The technologies in the war room will enable the integration of the health department with police, hospitals, surveillance teams, Asha workers and Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board. Interactive screens in the war room allow for mapping of each Covid-19 case, positive and suspected, using Geographical Information System. Bengaluru-based pro-digital labs that have set up the war room might also set up one nationally.

'Till today we have been tracking patients manually through excel sheets. But going forward if the data builds up we need to be equipped with the right technologies and infrastructure to tackle the situation. At the command centre, we also have GPS tracking system to track the movement of our health workers and service vehicles. We have plans of purchasing disinfection vehicles to spray disinfectants across the city. The movement of each of these vehicles will be monitored from our command centre. This allows transparency in the administration.' said Upendra Kumar, Director, Pro Digital Labs&nbsp;

The system can also draw up containment plans using Heat Mapping Technologies. The home quarantined cases are tracked using GPS and if they are found to be leaving their homes. 'All the zones are mapped. From Jt Commissioners to Asha workers, everyone will be given the information. Those who are home quarantined and attempt to violate it, we can track it when their phones leave the house. We inform the local police and the local health department. That is how we are managing it.' said Upendra Kumar.&nbsp;

Apart from using the GPS mechanism to restrict home quarantined persons, officials are also employing the physical method where neighbours and RWAs are asked to keep a watch on the person(s). The home quarantined patients are stamped and notice is served to ask them to follow the home quarantine rules prescribed by the GOI. The primary and secondary contacts of confirmed cases are also being stamped to ensure they stay in-home quarantine.&nbsp;

'Once the stamping has been done, as a follow-up measure, every 2-3 days there will be a phone call which will go from the war room to ascertain whether the person has started developing symptoms like cough, cold, fever, sneezing etc. If he/she has developed symptoms we immediately take them for testing. Secondly, we check if any of their family members are showing symptoms and the same protocol is followed. We will do this 3-4 times over 14 days to keep a track if the suspected cases are turning into positive cases. This monitoring is happening from the war room.' said Anil Kumar. &nbsp;

The war room also provides facilities where doctors and healthcare professionals can be apprised of Covid-19 protocols using video conferencing. Most importantly, the war room will be handling the growingly cumbersome data of contact tracing. 'So if a person has been identified as a positive case, the person is shifted to the isolation hospital. Then a 3km radius around the patient's home will be identified as the containment zone. Another 5km radius beyond that is the buffer zone. All houses in this 8km radius will be visited by our teams from the BBMP and Health dept and awareness given to them about coronavirus and what precautionary measures they have to take. These activities are tracked and initiated from the war room' said the BBMP Commissioner.&nbsp;

A team of 40-50 professionals have been working round the clock to build the war room and develop software applications on a war footing. The war room will soon be used for self-reporting and an application is being developed for the same. 27 cases in BBMP limits, 22,600 persons with a travel history and 3000 persons in the primary and secondary contact list are currently being tracked through the war room. &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The IT city of Bengaluru got its first integrated war room to combat the Covid-19 outbreak. The state of Karnataka has so far detected 38 cases, most of which are in the capital city Bengaluru.

The IT city of Bengaluru got its first integrated war room to combat the Covid-19 outbreak. The state of Karnataka has so far detected 38 cases, most of which are in the capital city Bengaluru. The war room was built by the BBMP in just 24 hours and will bring all relevant departments under one roof to tackle the virus problem in a more streamlined manner. 'This war room is a tool to track the location of the Covid-19 positive patients, monitor those home quarantined and those who have returned from various foreign countries. The war room will also monitor the primary and secondary contacts of all the positive cases' said Anil Kumar, BBMP Commissioner. The war room will run 24/7 and will serve as a virtual training centre for health professionals and government officials. The technologies in the war room will enable the integration of the health department with police, hospitals, surveillance teams, Asha workers and Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board. Interactive screens in the war room allow for mapping of each Covid-19 case, positive and suspected, using Geographical Information System. Bengaluru-based pro-digital labs that have set up the war room might also set up one nationally. 'Till today we have been tracking patients manually through excel sheets. But going forward if the data builds up we need to be equipped with the right technologies and infrastructure to tackle the situation. At the command centre, we also have GPS tracking system to track the movement of our health workers and service vehicles. We have plans of purchasing disinfection vehicles to spray disinfectants across the city. The movement of each of these vehicles will be monitored from our command centre. This allows transparency in the administration.' said Upendra Kumar, Director, Pro Digital Labs The system can also draw up containment plans using Heat Mapping Technologies. The home quarantined cases are tracked using GPS and if they are found to be leaving their homes. 'All the zones are mapped. From Jt Commissioners to Asha workers, everyone will be given the information. Those who are home quarantined and attempt to violate it, we can track it when their phones leave the house. We inform the local police and the local health department. That is how we are managing it.' said Upendra Kumar. Apart from using the GPS mechanism to restrict home quarantined persons, officials are also employing the physical method where neighbours and RWAs are asked to keep a watch on the person(s). The home quarantined patients are stamped and notice is served to ask them to follow the home quarantine rules prescribed by the GOI. The primary and secondary contacts of confirmed cases are also being stamped to ensure they stay in-home quarantine. 'Once the stamping has been done, as a follow-up measure, every 2-3 days there will be a phone call which will go from the war room to ascertain whether the person has started developing symptoms like cough, cold, fever, sneezing etc. If he/she has developed symptoms we immediately take them for testing. Secondly, we check if any of their family members are showing symptoms and the same protocol is followed. We will do this 3-4 times over 14 days to keep a track if the suspected cases are turning into positive cases. This monitoring is happening from the war room.' said Anil Kumar. The war room also provides facilities where doctors and healthcare professionals can be apprised of Covid-19 protocols using video conferencing. Most importantly, the war room will be handling the growingly cumbersome data of contact tracing. 'So if a person has been identified as a positive case, the person is shifted to the isolation hospital. Then a 3km radius around the patient's home will be identified as the containment zone. Another 5km radius beyond that is the buffer zone. All houses in this 8km radius will be visited by our teams from the BBMP and Health dept and awareness given to them about coronavirus and what precautionary measures they have to take. These activities are tracked and initiated from the war room' said the BBMP Commissioner. A team of 40-50 professionals have been working round the clock to build the war room and develop software applications on a war footing. The war room will soon be used for self-reporting and an application is being developed for the same. 27 cases in BBMP limits, 22,600 persons with a travel history and 3000 persons in the primary and secondary contact list are currently being tracked through the war room.

Bengaluru's war room uses technology to contain covid-19

The Delhi Police on Tuesday said it would reply to queries regarding the lockdown in the national capital through social media.

"Hi! Delhi. If you have any question on the #Lockdown, tweet your query with the hashtag #LockdownQuery between 5-6 PM today and we will answer it for you. #StayAtHomeSaveLives," the Delhi Police tweeted using it''s official handle.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had, on Sunday, announced a complete lockdown in the national capital till March 31 in order to control the spread of coronavirus.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajya-sabha-election-scheduled-for-march-26-postponed-amid-covid-19-lockdown-288197">Also read:&nbsp;Rajya Sabha election scheduled for March 26 postponed amid Covid-19 lockdown</a>

The same day, the Delhi Police imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC till March 31, banning protests and other gatherings.

Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code bans assembly of four or more people at a place.

Delhi has reported 30 cases of COVID-19 so far.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/impose-curfew-wherever-necessary-centre-tells-states-288213">Also read:&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/impose-curfew-wherever-necessary-centre-tells-states-288213" hreflang="en">Impose curfew wherever necessary: Centre tells states</a>

Additionally, Delhi Police has warned residents to strictly follow the lockdown. And more than 900 persons were prosecuted by them under various sections of IPC and DP Act for violating the lockdown on Monday.

The Delhi Police on Tuesday said it would reply to queries regarding the lockdown in the national capital through social media. "Hi! Delhi. If you have any question on the #Lockdown, tweet your query with the hashtag #LockdownQuery between 5-6 PM today and we will answer it for you.

The Delhi Police on Tuesday said it would reply to queries regarding the lockdown in the national capital through social media. "Hi! Delhi. If you have any question on the #Lockdown, tweet your query with the hashtag #LockdownQuery between 5-6 PM today and we will answer it for you. #StayAtHomeSaveLives," the Delhi Police tweeted using it''s official handle. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had, on Sunday, announced a complete lockdown in the national capital till March 31 in order to control the spread of coronavirus. Also read: Rajya Sabha election scheduled for March 26 postponed amid Covid-19 lockdown The same day, the Delhi Police imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC till March 31, banning protests and other gatherings. Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code bans assembly of four or more people at a place. Delhi has reported 30 cases of COVID-19 so far. Also read: Impose curfew wherever necessary: Centre tells states Additionally, Delhi Police has warned residents to strictly follow the lockdown. And more than 900 persons were prosecuted by them under various sections of IPC and DP Act for violating the lockdown on Monday.

Coronavirus: Delhi Police to address queries regarding lockdown through social media

G20 leaders will meet via video conference on Thursday to discuss the coronavirus crisis. The idea of the summit was discussed by Indian PM Modi with other G20 leaders like Australian PM Scott Morrison &amp; Chair of G20 Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud.&nbsp;

The meet will happen from 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM Arabian Standard Time (AST) and before that on Wednesday G20 Sherpas will meet.&nbsp;

The Sherpa meet that will take place from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM, AST. India will be represented by its G20 Sherpa Suresh Prabhu.

Speaking to WION last week, Suresh Prabhu said, "Our honourable Prime Minister has always taken a lead in dealing with global issues.&nbsp;

G20, the grouping, representing 86% of the global GDP is a forum that can play a leadership role. Coronavirus has become one of the most destabilising factors, economically, socially, politically all over the world. A situation like this must have prevailed during the 2nd-second world war, businesses are shutting down, people are apprehensive."

Other G20 member countries have lauded India's role at the grouping regarding the need for a summit via video conference on coronavirus outbreak.

French envoy Emmanuel Lenain asked about the initiative had said, "We expect a lot from India, India is going to be the chair of G20 in 2022. In the run-up to this big year, we expect India to be very dynamic in raising the issue within G20."

PM Modi had also called for a SAARC video conference on the crisis which took place earlier this month. New Delhi announced a COVID emergency fund and said its rapid response teams are at the disposal of all SAARC countries.

All SAARC countries, barring Pakistan have announced contribution for SAARC COVID Fund. Total contribution by COVID SAARC Fund by India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, Maldives &amp; Bhutan stands at $18.3 million.

G20 leaders will meet via video conference on Thursday to discuss the coronavirus crisis. The idea of the summit was discussed by Indian PM Modi with other G20 leaders like Australian PM Scott Morrison & Chair of G20 Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud.

G20 leaders will meet via video conference on Thursday to discuss the coronavirus crisis. The idea of the summit was discussed by Indian PM Modi with other G20 leaders like Australian PM Scott Morrison & Chair of G20 Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud. The meet will happen from 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM Arabian Standard Time (AST) and before that on Wednesday G20 Sherpas will meet. The Sherpa meet that will take place from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM, AST. India will be represented by its G20 Sherpa Suresh Prabhu. Speaking to WION last week, Suresh Prabhu said, "Our honourable Prime Minister has always taken a lead in dealing with global issues. G20, the grouping, representing 86% of the global GDP is a forum that can play a leadership role. Coronavirus has become one of the most destabilising factors, economically, socially, politically all over the world. A situation like this must have prevailed during the 2nd-second world war, businesses are shutting down, people are apprehensive." Other G20 member countries have lauded India's role at the grouping regarding the need for a summit via video conference on coronavirus outbreak. French envoy Emmanuel Lenain asked about the initiative had said, "We expect a lot from India, India is going to be the chair of G20 in 2022. In the run-up to this big year, we expect India to be very dynamic in raising the issue within G20." PM Modi had also called for a SAARC video conference on the crisis which took place earlier this month. New Delhi announced a COVID emergency fund and said its rapid response teams are at the disposal of all SAARC countries. All SAARC countries, barring Pakistan have announced contribution for SAARC COVID Fund. Total contribution by COVID SAARC Fund by India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, Maldives & Bhutan stands at $18.3 million.

Emergency G20 summit on Covid-19 on Thursday via video conference

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah’s eight-month detention ended on Tuesday after the administration revoked the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) against him.

The National Conference leader, who turned 50 on March 10, has been under detention since August 5, when the Centre announced the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370 and its bifurcation into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

The order revoking the PSA against him was issued by Home Secretary Shaleen Kabra. Abdullah was booked under the stringent act on February 5, hours before his six-month custody under preventive detention was to end.

The government has revoked his detention with immediate effect, the order stated.

Abdullah’s mother was the first to arrive at the makeshift detention centre after news came in that her son was about to be released. He was kept at the state guesthouse Hari Nivas, just a few hundred metres from his official residence.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Had lunch with my mum &amp; dad for the first time in almost 8 months. I can’t remember a better meal even though I’ve been in a bit of a daze &amp; don’t remember what I ate ☺️ <a href="https://t.co/W4duuhCVjI">pic.twitter.com/W4duuhCVjI</a>
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) <a href="https://twitter.com/OmarAbdullah/status/1242372950692528129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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His father, former chief minister Farooq Abdullah, was also charged under the PSA and released on March 13 after 221 days in detention. PDP leader and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti continues to be under detention.

On February 5, Omar Abdullah, who was junior foreign minister and commerce minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led Cabinet in 2000, was served with a three-page dossier that was challenged in the Supreme Court by his sister Sara Abdullah Pilot.

The Supreme Court last week asked the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir administration to inform by this week if it was releasing him.

A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and M R Shah told the counsel appearing for the Centre that Abdullah’s sister’s plea against his detention would be heard on merit if he was not released soon.

The petition, which may now become infructuous, could have come up for hearing on Wednesday or later this week.

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah’s eight-month detention ended on Tuesday after the administration revoked the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) against him.

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah’s eight-month detention ended on Tuesday after the administration revoked the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) against him. The National Conference leader, who turned 50 on March 10, has been under detention since August 5, when the Centre announced the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370 and its bifurcation into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The order revoking the PSA against him was issued by Home Secretary Shaleen Kabra. Abdullah was booked under the stringent act on February 5, hours before his six-month custody under preventive detention was to end. The government has revoked his detention with immediate effect, the order stated. Abdullah’s mother was the first to arrive at the makeshift detention centre after news came in that her son was about to be released. He was kept at the state guesthouse Hari Nivas, just a few hundred metres from his official residence. Had lunch with my mum & dad for the first time in almost 8 months. I can’t remember a better meal even though I’ve been in a bit of a daze & don’t remember what I ate ☺️ pic.twitter.com/W4duuhCVjI — Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) March 24, 2020 × His father, former chief minister Farooq Abdullah, was also charged under the PSA and released on March 13 after 221 days in detention. PDP leader and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti continues to be under detention. On February 5, Omar Abdullah, who was junior foreign minister and commerce minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led Cabinet in 2000, was served with a three-page dossier that was challenged in the Supreme Court by his sister Sara Abdullah Pilot. The Supreme Court last week asked the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir administration to inform by this week if it was releasing him. A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and M R Shah told the counsel appearing for the Centre that Abdullah’s sister’s plea against his detention would be heard on merit if he was not released soon. The petition, which may now become infructuous, could have come up for hearing on Wednesday or later this week.

Omar Abdullah released after 8 months in detention, PSA charges revoked

The government of India on Tuesday has asked states to impose curfew wherever necessary as people continue to venture out despite coronavirus lockdown order.

Multiple new positive cases have been reported from various parts of the country. As Maharashtra remains the worst-affected in India, section 144 has been imposed in the state from Monday.

The number of positive cases in India jumps to 509 and the death toll stands at 10, the lockdown comes into effect in 32 states and Union Territories in the country.&nbsp;

Over 1.5 billion people have been asked to stay at home as governments across the world tackle the World Health Organisation recognised 'pandemic'.&nbsp;

The deadly coronavirus has claimed 16,524 lives and infected 379,080 people globally. &nbsp;

Meanwhile, as many as 30 states/UTs have been placed under complete lockdown.

The Centre has also decided to restrict all domestic transport services—railways, flights and interstate buses—across the country on a massive scale that has never been witnessed by the country.

All domestic flights from midnight on March 24 have been cancelled. However, these restrictions will not apply to cargo flights.

The government of India on Tuesday has asked states to impose curfew wherever necessary as people continue to venture out despite coronavirus lockdown order. Multiple new positive cases have been reported from various parts of the country.

The government of India on Tuesday has asked states to impose curfew wherever necessary as people continue to venture out despite coronavirus lockdown order. Multiple new positive cases have been reported from various parts of the country. As Maharashtra remains the worst-affected in India, section 144 has been imposed in the state from Monday. The number of positive cases in India jumps to 509 and the death toll stands at 10, the lockdown comes into effect in 32 states and Union Territories in the country. Over 1.5 billion people have been asked to stay at home as governments across the world tackle the World Health Organisation recognised 'pandemic'. The deadly coronavirus has claimed 16,524 lives and infected 379,080 people globally. Meanwhile, as many as 30 states/UTs have been placed under complete lockdown. The Centre has also decided to restrict all domestic transport services—railways, flights and interstate buses—across the country on a massive scale that has never been witnessed by the country. All domestic flights from midnight on March 24 have been cancelled. However, these restrictions will not apply to cargo flights.

Impose curfew wherever necessary: Centre tells states

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