(Contains Press releases concerning Covid-19, issued in last 24 hours, inputs from PIB Field Offices  andFact checks undertaken by PIB)

Updates on COVID-19 from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

So far, a total of 9950 people have been cured. In the last 24 hours, 1061 patients were found cured. This takes our total recovery rate to 26.65%. The total number of confirmed cases is now 37,336. Since yesterday, an increase of 2293 has been noted in the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in India.Additional guidelines on rational use of Personal Protective Equipment were issued yesterday by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

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Extension of Lockdown for a further period of Two Weeks with effect from May 4, 2020

After a comprehensive review, and in view of the Lockdown measures having led to significant gains in the COVID-19 situation in the country, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India issued an Order under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, today, to further extend the Lockdown for a further period of 2 weeks with effect from May 4, 2020. MHA also issued new guidelines to regulate different activities in this period, based on the risk profiling of the districts of the country into Red (hotspot), Green and Orange Zones. The guidelines have permitted considerable relaxations in the districts falling in the Green and Orange Zones.

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Clarification regarding Movement of Persons and Vehicles in Orange Zones during Two Weeks Lockdown

In the Orange Zones, in addition to the activities prohibited throughout the country, inter-district and intra-district plying of buses remains prohibited. Two other activities have been allowed with restrictions:

• Taxis and cab aggregators are permitted, with one driver and two passengers only.
• Inter-district movement of individuals and vehicles is allowed, only for permitted activities, with maximum two passengers, besides the driver, in four wheeler vehicles.

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Extended Cancellation of passenger train services

In continuation of the measures taken in the wake of COVID-19, it has been decided that the cancellation of all passenger train services on Indian Railways shall be extended till 17^th May, 2020.However, movement of migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons stranded at different places shall be carried out by Shramik Special trains, as required by the State Governments, in terms of the guidelines issued by MHA.Freight and Parcel train operations shall continue, as at present.

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PM Modi holds meeting to discuss ways to boost agriculture sector

PM ShriNarendraModi held a meeting today to deliberate on the issues and reforms required in Agriculture sector. Special emphasis was given on reforms in agriculture marketing, management of marketable surplus, access of farmers to institutional credit and freeing agriculture sector of various restrictions with appropriate backing of statute.

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PM Modi holds a review meeting to discuss education Sector

PM ShriNarendraModi held a meeting to deliberate on the issues and reforms required in education sector including National Education Policy. Special emphasis was given on the use of technology in the education sector and enhancing learning and adapting by the use of technology such as on-line classes, education portal and class-wise broadcast on dedicated education channels.The focus was on bringing uniformity in education providing universal access to quality education, improving the quality of elementary education, through a new national curriculum framework that focuses on multi-linguistic, 21st century skills, integration of sport and art, environmental issues etc.

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New guidelines for hearing of cases by CAT in Green, Orange & Red Zones

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Shri Piyush Goyal tells Foreign Missions that India is open to mutually benefitting collaborations with interested countries as far as the reciprocity in the deal is maintained

Minister of Commerce and Industry ShriPiyushGoyal has said that India is open to mutually benefitting collaborations with interested countries as far as the reciprocity in the deal is maintained. Interacting with foreign missions in New Delhi, he welcomed the interested countries who are planning to do business with India. He advised that this is the best time to connect digitally for the planning of a road map for bilateral (or multilateral) agreements.The Minister appealed to other countries for the collaborative efforts against the outspread of Coronavirus pandemic.

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Dr. Harsh Vardhan reviews preparedness for AES in Bihar through Video Conferencing

Assuring all support of the Centre to Bihar for AES management, Dr. Harsh Vardhan exhorted all to ensure that the cases of AES are not neglected and eclipsed during the time of COVID outbreak.

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To improve safety and operational efficiencies, backend warriors of Indian Railways execute long pending major maintenance works during this lockdown

Backend warriors of Indian Railways have successfully executed long pending Maintenance works like Yard remodelling, Renewal of Scissors Crossover, Repairs of Bridges during this lockdown. Apart from ensuring supply chains all essential commodities running through parcel trains and freight trains, Indian Railways executed these long pending maintenance works during this lockdown period when passenger services were suspended due to COVID -19.

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Frontline warriors salute Corona Warriors and VOW to continue supporting the fight

A press conference was conducted in Delhi today wherein Gen BipinRawat, CDS accompanied by Gen MM Naravane, Chief of Army Staff, Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of Naval Staff, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, Chief of Air Staff addressed the média to acknowledge the efforts of the Corona Warriors and vowed to continue the support of front-line warriors to them in the coming days.

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Indian Coast Guard joins the nation to thank COVID-19 Warriors

The ICG is also actively taking part in the ‘India Thanks COVID-19 Warriors’ initiative by illuminating ships and showering petals at hospitals treating Corona patients. Ships will appreciate the efforts of the COVID-19 Warriors by illuminating the ships on May 03, 2020 at 25 locations covering the entire coastline of the country including the remote sites and far flung island territories of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands. In addition, ICG helicopters will also shower petals on COVID-19 hospitals at five locations.

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Phone call between Prime Minister and H.E. Gen(ret) Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand

Prime Minister ShriNarendraModi had a telephone conversation with H.E. Gen(ret) Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand.The two leaders shared information on the steps being taken in their respective countries to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.

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422 flights operated under Lifeline Udan to deliver essential medical cargo to people across the country

422 flights have been operated under Lifeline Udan by Air India, Alliance Air, IAF and private carriers. 244 of these flights have been operated by Air India and Alliance Air. Cargo transported till date is around 790.22 tons. Aerial distance covered by Lifeline Udan flights till date is over 4,13,538 km.‘LifelineUdan’ flights are being operated by MoCA to transport essential medical cargo to remote parts of the country to support India’s war against COVID-19.

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Minimum Support Price for Minor Forest Produce of 49 items in view of circumstances arising out of Covid 19

In acrucial announcement affecting the livelihoods of tribal gatherers, the Government has revised the Minimum Support Pricefor Minor Forest Produce (MFP) of 49 items.

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INPUTS FROM PIB FIELD OFFICES

• Chandigarh: A portal for registration of stranded migrants, students, tourists etc has been developed by Chandigarh Administration. It is accessible from website of Chandigarh Administration http://Chandigarh.gov.in or can be accessed on the link http://admser.chd.nic.in/migrant. A stranded person has to fill in the basic details and submit after giving OTP received on his mobile. Alternatively, for the convenience of persons who are unable to do it themselves, the facility has been provided through Call Centre of Administration available on helpline number 1800-180-2067 where the details can be provided telephonically (from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm) daily. 50,500 eligible families have already been distributed wheat and pulses under PMGKAY, thereby achieving the target of 80% of the eligible population so far in UT, Chandigarh.
• Punjab: In a bid to check the further spread of COVID-19 pandemic, Punjab Government has sought technological support and expertise from Israel. “Invest Punjab”, in this regard, had coordinated a special Webinar with Embassy of Israel in India, which was focused on the technological advancements behind Israel’s COVID-19 outbreak management. Punjab Government advises Petrol Pump Managers/Operators to deploy only essential staff at a particular time and plan the shifts with an objective to avoid clustering of staff.
• Haryana: Haryana Government along with the department of Urban Local Bodies and Health Department are ensuring to provide essential services to the citizens in all the 87 Municipalities of the State during the lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic. All the municipalities are ensuring 100 percent door-to-door lifting of waste and the staff involved in this activity has been instructed to follow social distancing strictly.To facilitate industrial units in Haryana in reviving their operations and retaining their employees in times of financial duress brought in by reduced economic activity because of COVID-19 Pandemic, Haryana Government has formulated "Haryana MSME revival Interest Benefit Scheme". This will help in providing financial assistance to the MSME units so that they could pay the wages to their employees including permanent/contractual staff and workers and meet other essential expenditure.
• Himachal Pradesh: Chief Minister launched MadhuyastiadiKashay (Kada), a proprietary Ayurvedic medicine prepared by the State Aryuveda Department to enhance immunity of the people in the wake of corona pandemic. The Ayurvedic product would help in boosting immunity and it would be provided free of cost to all the corona warriors like doctors, paramedical staff, police, senior citizens and all corona survivors of the State. While holding a video conference with all the Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police and Chief Medical Officers of the State, Chief Minister said that a special campaign would be launched on the lines of Active Case Finding Campaign to medically examine the people entering Himachal Pradesh from other States and these persons would be kept in home quarantine.
• Kerala: State decides not to open liquor shops in the state now as customers could throng the outlets leaving lockdown protocols haywire. There will be no bus service in Green zones. Covid zones in the state to be restructured as per Centre's directive. 5 more non-stop special trains - bound for Ranchi, Bhubaneswar and Patna - to operate today from Kerala to transport migrant labourers. 3 more Keralites lost their lives to Covid19 in the Gulf, with death toll in abroad crossing 70.Total confirmed cases is 497 with active cases at 102.
• Tamil Nadu: Chennai remains Tamil Nadu’s hotspot, with 176 new cases yesterday while State's Covid-19 count stands at 2,526. State government appoints senior IAS officer J. Radhakrishnan as Special Nodal Officer to focus efforts on Chennai. Man undergoing treatment for blood cancer at Chennai's MMC tests positive for Covid19. Metrowater tests show prevalence of viral RNA in sewage collected from Chennai.  There are 1183 active cases with 1082 cases in Chennai.
• Karnataka: Today 9 new cases confirmed till now. 2 each in Tumkur&Vijayapura, one each in Belagavi, Bengaluru, Chikkaballapur, Bidar, Bagalkot. Today three deaths; one each in Davangere, Bidar and Bengaluru  255 people discharged. Total cases 598. 255 people discharged in the State with death toll at 25.
• Andhra Pradesh:State adds two new labs for Covid testing, one each in Srikakulam&Prakasam districts; total labs in the state is now 10. Stranded fishermen who have reached Andhra from Gujarat will be tested and only those who tests negative will be sent home. 62 new cases and 38 discharged in the last 24 hours. Total cases rise to 1525. Active Cases: 1051, Recovered: 441, Deaths: 33. Districts leading in +ve cases: Kurnool (436), Guntur (308), Krishna (258), Nellore (90), Chittoor (80).
• Telangana:  State asks for direct financial assistance from Centre for the rescue of Small & Medium Enterprises which is among the worst affected. The homeward flight of migrant workers, when the various industries are being slowly opened with the easing of the lockdown norms, has put the State Govt in a fix. Total reported cases till now 1044, Active cases 552, Recovered 464 and Deaths 28.
• Arunachal Pradesh: CM informs that 1 tonne of PPEs, VTM kits &medicines to fight against COVID19 for the State has reached Guwahati via AirIndia cargo flight from Delhi.
• Assam: CM SarbanandaSonowal  thanks media for their selfless service to the society by risking their lives in covering COVID19 outbreak.
• Manipur: CRPF field Battalions so far distributed Protection Gears (Gloves, Masks & PPEs) to 15,840 people; Sanitizer, soaps and other sanitary items to 9,187 people and food items, ration and condiments to 8,430 people.
• Meghalaya: IAF Helicopters will be showering flower petals on Civil Hospital to express their gratitude towards Corona Warriors tomorrow at 10:30 am.
• Mizoram: CM holds review meeting with council of ministers stressing on measures being implemented by the State Govt during the COVID19 crisis.
• Nagaland: Health Minister inaugurates TrueNat Machine for preliminary screening of COVID-19 samples at District Hospital Mokokchung.
• Sikkim: CM said State to get its own Independent BSNL Control Centre to help connect remote areas and systematic development.
• Tripura: Total COVID19 cases in the State stands at 4; 2 discharged, 2 active cases.
• Maharashtra: Maharashtra reported a record 1,003 new cases in a single day with Mumbai alone registering 741. Maharashtra also recorded the highest 26 deaths in a day taking the overall toll to 485. Total number of positive cases in Maharashtra now stand at 11,506. Total number of reported cases in Mumbai is 7,625.In a significant move, the Maharashtra government has announced that the Mahatma JyotibaPhule Jan ArogyaYojana (MJPJAY), the insurance scheme for the poor, will now cover all people with ration card and domicile certificate in the state. In all, 1000 treatments at a cost of Rs 1.5 lakh per year are covered in 900 empanelled hospitals in the state.
• Gujarat: With 302 more persons testing positive in Gujarat, the number of Covid-19 patients in the state has climbed  to 4,721.  Out of these 735 have recovered while 236 have passed away. The increasing number of cases has brought nine districts in Gujarat under the Red Zone, including Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Gandhinagar.
• Rajasthan: State’s tally of the coronavirus climbed to 2678 after 12 new cases were reported from across the state on Saturday morning. Out of theses 1,116 people have recovered while 65 have lost their battles against the deadly infection.
• Madhya Pradesh: With 90 new cases, the corona count in Madhya Pradesh has reached 2,719.Out of these 524 have been cured while 145 have passed away.
• Chhattisgarh: Chhattisgarh as on date has only 7 active Covid 19 cases.  Out of 43 cases reported so far, 36 have been cured.
• Goa: Goa, which reported only 7 cases in all, has no active Covid-19 patient at present.

Fact Check on #Covid19

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