West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has decided to increase the workforce capacity from 50 per cent to 70 per cent in the state.

"With multiple crises in the state, we have decided to increase the state government's workforce capacity from 50 per cent to 70 per cent. Continuation of restoration work is one of the top priorities and workforce increase will ensure that public services are uninterrupted," Banerjee said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mamata-banerjee-accuses-government-of-running-corona-express-in-disguise-of-shramik-trains-301942">Also read:&nbsp;Mamata Banerjee accuses government of running 'Corona express' in disguise of Shramik trains</a>

The decision has been taken to complete the restoration work of the damage done by the cyclone that hit the state last week, and caused immense structural damage.

As she announced the decision of increasing the workforce capacity during the pandemic, she also added a word of caution for the private entities, "In the private sector, I urge all to stay safe, work indoors as much as possible and to the best of their abilities. Prerogative lies with the respective managements of private entities to decide on workforce capacity and act accordingly."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/cyclone-amphan-leaves-kolkata-airport-flooded-hangars-damaged-beyond-repair-300105">Have a look:&nbsp;Cyclone Amphan leaves Kolkata airport flooded; hangars damaged beyond repair</a>&nbsp;

The Chief Minister also announced that West Bengal will be continuing with the lockdown after lockdown 4.0 ends at the end of this month.&nbsp;"The lockdown will continue with minimal effects. Jute mills and tea gardens will operate with 100 per cent workforce capacity. We are together in this. I am sure with all your cooperation and understanding, Bengal will emerge victoriously."

During this lockdown extension in her state, she will also allow all religious places to reopen, but with a capacity of 10 people at a&nbsp; time.&nbsp;"Temples, gurdwaras, mosques and all religious places in the state are closed. They will open from June 1 but not more than 10 people will be allowed at any given point of time. No assembly would be allowed in religious places."

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has decided to increase the workforce capacity from 50 per cent to 70 per cent in the state. "With multiple crises in the state, we have decided to increase the state government's workforce capacity from 50 per cent to 70 per cent.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has decided to increase the workforce capacity from 50 per cent to 70 per cent in the state. "With multiple crises in the state, we have decided to increase the state government's workforce capacity from 50 per cent to 70 per cent. Continuation of restoration work is one of the top priorities and workforce increase will ensure that public services are uninterrupted," Banerjee said. Also read: Mamata Banerjee accuses government of running 'Corona express' in disguise of Shramik trains The decision has been taken to complete the restoration work of the damage done by the cyclone that hit the state last week, and caused immense structural damage. As she announced the decision of increasing the workforce capacity during the pandemic, she also added a word of caution for the private entities, "In the private sector, I urge all to stay safe, work indoors as much as possible and to the best of their abilities. Prerogative lies with the respective managements of private entities to decide on workforce capacity and act accordingly." Have a look: Cyclone Amphan leaves Kolkata airport flooded; hangars damaged beyond repair The Chief Minister also announced that West Bengal will be continuing with the lockdown after lockdown 4.0 ends at the end of this month. "The lockdown will continue with minimal effects. Jute mills and tea gardens will operate with 100 per cent workforce capacity. We are together in this. I am sure with all your cooperation and understanding, Bengal will emerge victoriously." During this lockdown extension in her state, she will also allow all religious places to reopen, but with a capacity of 10 people at a time. "Temples, gurdwaras, mosques and all religious places in the state are closed. They will open from June 1 but not more than 10 people will be allowed at any given point of time. No assembly would be allowed in religious places."

Mamata Banerjee increases workforce capacity to 70%; announces lockdown extension for West Bengal

Four days before lockdown 4.0 ends,&nbsp;Union Home Minister Amit Shah organized a meeting with all the Chief Ministers to discuss and strategize about fighting the pandemic and extending the lockdown.

After the meeting, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the lockdown might be extended for 15 more days, but with few relaxations.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-stands-9th-on-covid-19-worst-hit-nations-list-surpassing-china-301706">Also read:&nbsp;India stands 9th on Covid-19 worst-hit nations' list, surpassing China</a>

Addressing the media, he said,&nbsp;"I spoke to HM Shah on phone and I feel lockdown may be extended for 15 more days. However, we demand that there should be some relaxations - restaurants should be allowed with social distancing at 50 per cent capacity. Many people also want gyms to resume."

He also added that he is in favour of an extension of the lockdown, as he feels it is needed to flatten the rising curve.

Other officials present in the meeting, too, expressed possibilities of extension of the lockdown.

As per the official figures, India's death toll has taken over China.&nbsp;Total number of coronavirus cases in the country now stands at 1,65,799 including 89,987 active cases and 71,105 cured/discharged/migrated.

Four days before lockdown 4.0 ends, Union Home Minister Amit Shah organized a meeting with all the Chief Ministers to discuss and strategize about fighting the pandemic and extending the lockdown.

Four days before lockdown 4.0 ends, Union Home Minister Amit Shah organized a meeting with all the Chief Ministers to discuss and strategize about fighting the pandemic and extending the lockdown. After the meeting, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the lockdown might be extended for 15 more days, but with few relaxations. Also read: India stands 9th on Covid-19 worst-hit nations' list, surpassing China Addressing the media, he said, "I spoke to HM Shah on phone and I feel lockdown may be extended for 15 more days. However, we demand that there should be some relaxations - restaurants should be allowed with social distancing at 50 per cent capacity. Many people also want gyms to resume." He also added that he is in favour of an extension of the lockdown, as he feels it is needed to flatten the rising curve. Other officials present in the meeting, too, expressed possibilities of extension of the lockdown. As per the official figures, India's death toll has taken over China. Total number of coronavirus cases in the country now stands at 1,65,799 including 89,987 active cases and 71,105 cured/discharged/migrated.

Lockdown may get extended for 15 days: Goa CM after meeting Amit Shah

The government on Sunday issued a Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) for the return of Indians stranded abroad due to the coronavirus lockdown, saying it will be a paid service and preference will be given to those who are in distress, who have lost their jobs or to pregnant women.

A similar SOP was also issued by the government for those who are stranded in India and desire to travel abroad.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/new-guidelines-issued-for-domestic-travel-aarogya-setu-app-compulsory-300740">Also read:&nbsp;New guidelines issued for domestic travel; Aarogya Setu app compulsory</a>

As per the latest SOP, issued by the Union Home Ministry, those who wish to return to India will have to register themselves with the Indian missions in that country, along with necessary details as prescribed by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Priority will be given to compelling cases in distress, including migrant workers, labourers who have been laid off, short-term visa-holders facing expiry of visas, persons with medical emergency, pregnant women, elderly, those required to return to India due to death of family member, and students, the SOP said.

The cost of travel, as specified by the carrier, will be borne by such travellers, it said.

All those who will arrive from abroad will have to follow the guidelines for quarantine arrangements issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), the SOP said.

The government on Sunday issued a Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) for the return of Indians stranded abroad due to the coronavirus lockdown, saying it will be a paid service and preference will be given to those who are in distress, who have lost their jobs or to pregnant women.

The government on Sunday issued a Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) for the return of Indians stranded abroad due to the coronavirus lockdown, saying it will be a paid service and preference will be given to those who are in distress, who have lost their jobs or to pregnant women. A similar SOP was also issued by the government for those who are stranded in India and desire to travel abroad. Also read: New guidelines issued for domestic travel; Aarogya Setu app compulsory As per the latest SOP, issued by the Union Home Ministry, those who wish to return to India will have to register themselves with the Indian missions in that country, along with necessary details as prescribed by the Ministry of External Affairs. Priority will be given to compelling cases in distress, including migrant workers, labourers who have been laid off, short-term visa-holders facing expiry of visas, persons with medical emergency, pregnant women, elderly, those required to return to India due to death of family member, and students, the SOP said. The cost of travel, as specified by the carrier, will be borne by such travellers, it said. All those who will arrive from abroad will have to follow the guidelines for quarantine arrangements issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), the SOP said.

MHA issues SOP for stranded Indians who wish to return

As the aviation industry gears up to get back in air from Monday, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have issued guidelines for international and domestic travel.

As per the guidelines, wearing face masks, or face shields, will be compulsory during the entire journey. All passengers have been advised to wear hand gloves and avoid coming in contact with anything in public spaces.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/maha-tn-west-bengal-seek-delay-in-restarting-flights-as-coronavirus-cases-rise-300734">Also read:&nbsp;Maha, TN, West Bengal seek delay in restarting flights as coronavirus cases rise</a>

Passengers will go through thermal screening on the airports and will have to follow all rules of social distancing throughout their journey.

All asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to travel, under the strict guidelines to self-quarantine&nbsp;themselves for the next 14 days. They will also have to self-examine their health symptoms&nbsp;for 14 days, and inform the&nbsp;district surveillance officer or the state/national call center if they suspect any symptoms.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Latest guidelines on domestic &amp; international travel have been issued by <a href="https://twitter.com/MoHFW_INDIA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MoHFW_INDIA</a>. 
 
I hope travellers strictly follow these self-regulatory norms &amp; strengthen India's hands in this fight against COVID19. Remember, each one of us is a soldier against the pandemic.<a href="https://twitter.com/MoCA_GoI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MoCA_GoI</a> <a href="https://t.co/xVbTG1K44n">pic.twitter.com/xVbTG1K44n</a>
— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) <a href="https://twitter.com/HardeepSPuri/status/1264479951132209153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 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>

It is compulsory for all passengers to be registered on Aarogya Setu app to prove that they are coming from a non-containment zone, or 'green zone'.

A list of dos and don'ts will be provided to the passengers along with tickets by the concerned authorities, said the ministry's guidelines for domestic travel (air/train/inter-state bus travel).

These guidelines have been issued for domestic air, train and road travel.

As majority airlines have booked the tickets for their routes starting tomorrow,&nbsp;Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal&nbsp;have said they are not prepared to open for flights amid rising cases.

As the aviation industry gears up to get back in air from Monday, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have issued guidelines for international and domestic travel.

As the aviation industry gears up to get back in air from Monday, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have issued guidelines for international and domestic travel. As per the guidelines, wearing face masks, or face shields, will be compulsory during the entire journey. All passengers have been advised to wear hand gloves and avoid coming in contact with anything in public spaces. Also read: Maha, TN, West Bengal seek delay in restarting flights as coronavirus cases rise Passengers will go through thermal screening on the airports and will have to follow all rules of social distancing throughout their journey. All asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to travel, under the strict guidelines to self-quarantine themselves for the next 14 days. They will also have to self-examine their health symptoms for 14 days, and inform the district surveillance officer or the state/national call center if they suspect any symptoms. Latest guidelines on domestic & international travel have been issued by @MoHFW_INDIA. I hope travellers strictly follow these self-regulatory norms & strengthen India's hands in this fight against COVID19. Remember, each one of us is a soldier against the pandemic.@MoCA_GoI pic.twitter.com/xVbTG1K44n — Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) May 24, 2020 × It is compulsory for all passengers to be registered on Aarogya Setu app to prove that they are coming from a non-containment zone, or 'green zone'. A list of dos and don'ts will be provided to the passengers along with tickets by the concerned authorities, said the ministry's guidelines for domestic travel (air/train/inter-state bus travel). These guidelines have been issued for domestic air, train and road travel. As majority airlines have booked the tickets for their routes starting tomorrow, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have said they are not prepared to open for flights amid rising cases.

New guidelines issued for domestic travel; Aarogya Setu app compulsory

As the aviation industry gets ready to start services from Monday, state governments are implementing all possible precautions for the incoming passengers.

Keeping the same in mind, Karnataka and Punjab governments have announced that the incoming passengers will have to go through a&nbsp;quarantine period.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/we-will-increase-international-flights-in-coming-days-union-civil-aviation-minister-300560">Also read:&nbsp;We will increase international flights in coming days: Union civil aviation minister</a>

Karnataka government's DGP announced through Twitter that the passengers entering will have to go through compulsory institutional seven-day institutional quarantine, followed by home quarantine

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
All incoming persons will need to remain in home quarantine for 14 days if they come from states other than Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Maharasthra: Karnataka Govt <a href="https://t.co/s7l5odufVL">https://t.co/s7l5odufVL</a> <a href="https://t.co/oZAQILhVAw">pic.twitter.com/oZAQILhVAw</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1264183011521597440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 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>

Following the suit, Punjab government, too, announced a compulsory 14-day quarantine period for incoming passengers from Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

The civil aviation minister, few days ago, announced that domestic travel will resume for the Indians stranded away from home. The domestic flights will resume from May 25, Monday.

All passengers will have to compulsorily wear face masks and gloves, and maintain and follow all social distancing guidelines laid out by the experts. Several other measures have been taken by the Airport Authority of India and airlines to make sure that there is no spread of infection.

All passengers who do not pass the required temperature check, and are unable to prove that they belong to a non-containment zone will not be allowed to enter the airport premises.&nbsp;

web check-in has been made compulsory to decrease the physical contact. Older people, babies and past COVID-10 patients, who are classified as vulnerable, have been advised to avoid travelling.&nbsp;

As the aviation industry gets ready to start services from Monday, state governments are implementing all possible precautions for the incoming passengers. Keeping the same in mind, Karnataka and Punjab governments have announced that the incoming passengers will have to go through a quarantine period.

As the aviation industry gets ready to start services from Monday, state governments are implementing all possible precautions for the incoming passengers. Keeping the same in mind, Karnataka and Punjab governments have announced that the incoming passengers will have to go through a quarantine period. Also read: We will increase international flights in coming days: Union civil aviation minister Karnataka government's DGP announced through Twitter that the passengers entering will have to go through compulsory institutional seven-day institutional quarantine, followed by home quarantine All incoming persons will need to remain in home quarantine for 14 days if they come from states other than Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Maharasthra: Karnataka Govt https://t.co/s7l5odufVL pic.twitter.com/oZAQILhVAw — ANI (@ANI) May 23, 2020 × Following the suit, Punjab government, too, announced a compulsory 14-day quarantine period for incoming passengers from Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The civil aviation minister, few days ago, announced that domestic travel will resume for the Indians stranded away from home. The domestic flights will resume from May 25, Monday. All passengers will have to compulsorily wear face masks and gloves, and maintain and follow all social distancing guidelines laid out by the experts. Several other measures have been taken by the Airport Authority of India and airlines to make sure that there is no spread of infection. All passengers who do not pass the required temperature check, and are unable to prove that they belong to a non-containment zone will not be allowed to enter the airport premises. web check-in has been made compulsory to decrease the physical contact. Older people, babies and past COVID-10 patients, who are classified as vulnerable, have been advised to avoid travelling.

COVID 19: Karnataka and Punjab to quarantine incoming passengers

The last 24-hours were the deadliest in India as the COVID-19 outbreak witnessed the deadliest surge in cases so far. More than 5042 new cases have been reported in India taking the country's overall tally to more than 96,000 cases. Watch report.

India lockdown 4.0: 5042 new coronavirus cases reported in India

Lockdown 4.0: What will reopen, what will remain closed

The Union Health Ministry on Sunday listed parameters such as active COVID-19 cases, doubling and fatality rates and cases per lakh population, for the states and UTs to follow while categorising areas into red, orange or green zones.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lockdown-40-red-orange-green-zones-to-be-decided-by-states-7-pm-7-am-night-curfew-to-continue-299258" hreflang="en">Lockdown 4.0: Red, orange, green zones to be decided by states; 7 pm-7 am night curfew to continue</a>

It also issued guidelines for delineation of coronavirus containment and buffer zones and outlined the actions that have to be implemented in those areas to break the chain of transmission.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nationwide-lockdown-extended-till-may-31-to-contain-spread-of-coronavirus-299251" hreflang="en">Nationwide lockdown extended till May 31 to contain spread of coronavirus</a>

In a letter to the states and Union Territories, Health Secretary Preeti Sudan said states may categorise districts or municipal corporations into hotspots, red, orange and green zones.

They, however, may also choose to categorise sub-division, ward or any other appropriate administrative unit into the colour-coded zones after detailed analysis at their end, duly taking into consideration the geographical spread of cases, contacts and their zone of influence in terms of disease spread, the ministry said.

This comes after the Home Ministry issued guidelines for the fourth phase of the nationwide lockdown, giving power to the states and Union Territories to delineate red, green and orange zones as per the COVID-19 situation.

In her letter, Sudan said demarcation of the zones would be based on total active cases, cases per lakh population, doubling rate calculated over a seven-day period, case fatality rate, testing ratio (number of tests per lakh population) and sample positivity rate.

The benchmarks or thresholds for critical and desirable levels for total active cases would be more than 200 and zero or no reported case in the last 21 days respectively.

For active cases per lakh population, the critical threshold would be when more than 15, while for doubling rate calculated over a seven-day period, the critical level would be less than 14 days and desirable when more than 28 days.

As for case fatality rate, more than six per cent would be considered critical and less than one per cent desirable. The critical threshold for testing ratio (number of tests per lakh population) would be less than 65 while the desirable level would be more than 200, according to the letter.

Sample positivity rate would be considered critical if it's more than 6 per cent while less than 2 per cent is desirable. 
The health ministry, however, underlined that the benchmarks or thresholds for critical and desirable levels are dynamic and may be revised by the Centre as per the evolving situation at the field level.

"The most important task once the zones are identified is field action in terms of implementation of containment plan of action. This entails identification of containment and buffer zones inside the red, orange and green zones from where cases have been primarily reported.

"A containment operation (large outbreak or cluster) is deemed successful when no case is reported in last 28 days from the containment zone," the letter stated.

According to the guidelines, the containment zones are delineated based on mapping of cases and contacts, geographical dispersion of cases and contacts, area having a well-demarcated perimeter and enforceability of perimeter control.

"It is reiterated that this is the primary area where intensive action is to carried out with the aim of breaking the chain of transmission," the letter stated.

Stringent action needs to be initiated within these containment zones in terms of an active search for cases through physical house-to-house surveillance by special teams formed for the purpose, testing of all cases as per sampling guidelines and contact tracing, identification of local community volunteers to help in surveillance, contact tracing and risk communication and strict enforcement of social distancing among others, it said.

The ministry also said a buffer zone has to be delineated around each containment zone and it shall be appropriately defined by the district administration or local urban bodies with technical inputs at the local level.

"Buffer zone will be primarily the area wherein additional and focused attention is needed so as to ensure that infection does not spread to adjoining areas. For effective containment, it is of paramount importance that the buffer is sufficiently large," the letter stated.

The Union Health Ministry on Sunday listed parameters such as active COVID-19 cases, doubling and fatality rates and cases per lakh population, for the states and UTs to follow while categorising areas into red, orange or green zones.

The Union Health Ministry on Sunday listed parameters such as active COVID-19 cases, doubling and fatality rates and cases per lakh population, for the states and UTs to follow while categorising areas into red, orange or green zones. Also read: Lockdown 4.0: Red, orange, green zones to be decided by states; 7 pm-7 am night curfew to continue It also issued guidelines for delineation of coronavirus containment and buffer zones and outlined the actions that have to be implemented in those areas to break the chain of transmission. Also read: Nationwide lockdown extended till May 31 to contain spread of coronavirus In a letter to the states and Union Territories, Health Secretary Preeti Sudan said states may categorise districts or municipal corporations into hotspots, red, orange and green zones. They, however, may also choose to categorise sub-division, ward or any other appropriate administrative unit into the colour-coded zones after detailed analysis at their end, duly taking into consideration the geographical spread of cases, contacts and their zone of influence in terms of disease spread, the ministry said. This comes after the Home Ministry issued guidelines for the fourth phase of the nationwide lockdown, giving power to the states and Union Territories to delineate red, green and orange zones as per the COVID-19 situation. In her letter, Sudan said demarcation of the zones would be based on total active cases, cases per lakh population, doubling rate calculated over a seven-day period, case fatality rate, testing ratio (number of tests per lakh population) and sample positivity rate. The benchmarks or thresholds for critical and desirable levels for total active cases would be more than 200 and zero or no reported case in the last 21 days respectively. For active cases per lakh population, the critical threshold would be when more than 15, while for doubling rate calculated over a seven-day period, the critical level would be less than 14 days and desirable when more than 28 days. As for case fatality rate, more than six per cent would be considered critical and less than one per cent desirable. The critical threshold for testing ratio (number of tests per lakh population) would be less than 65 while the desirable level would be more than 200, according to the letter. Sample positivity rate would be considered critical if it's more than 6 per cent while less than 2 per cent is desirable. The health ministry, however, underlined that the benchmarks or thresholds for critical and desirable levels are dynamic and may be revised by the Centre as per the evolving situation at the field level. "The most important task once the zones are identified is field action in terms of implementation of containment plan of action. This entails identification of containment and buffer zones inside the red, orange and green zones from where cases have been primarily reported. "A containment operation (large outbreak or cluster) is deemed successful when no case is reported in last 28 days from the containment zone," the letter stated. According to the guidelines, the containment zones are delineated based on mapping of cases and contacts, geographical dispersion of cases and contacts, area having a well-demarcated perimeter and enforceability of perimeter control. "It is reiterated that this is the primary area where intensive action is to carried out with the aim of breaking the chain of transmission," the letter stated. Stringent action needs to be initiated within these containment zones in terms of an active search for cases through physical house-to-house surveillance by special teams formed for the purpose, testing of all cases as per sampling guidelines and contact tracing, identification of local community volunteers to help in surveillance, contact tracing and risk communication and strict enforcement of social distancing among others, it said. The ministry also said a buffer zone has to be delineated around each containment zone and it shall be appropriately defined by the district administration or local urban bodies with technical inputs at the local level. "Buffer zone will be primarily the area wherein additional and focused attention is needed so as to ensure that infection does not spread to adjoining areas. For effective containment, it is of paramount importance that the buffer is sufficiently large," the letter stated.

Lockdown phase 4: Centre lists parameters for states to delineate red, orange, green zones

The fourth phase of nationwide coronavirus lockdown, which will continue till May 31, will allow movement of people during the daytime, and inter-state transport. It will, however, continue to enforce prohibition on all public gatherings, closure of schools, malls and restaurants, and suspension of flight and metro services.

Latest MHA guidelines on COVID-19 lockdown 4.0 in India

lockdown-40

Lockdown 4.0, News on Lockdown 4.0, stories on Lockdown 4.0, articles on Lockdown 4.0, Lockdown 4.0 stories at Wion, Lockdown 4.0 news, Lockdown 4.0 latest news

lockdown 40