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

Dr. Harsh Vardhan engages with North Eastern States to review preparedness and containment measures taken for COVID-19 management

Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare held a meeting today with Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim to review the status of COVID-19 in the north-eastern States along with the measures being taken for its containment and management. Appreciating the dedication of all the States in combating COVID-19 in the country, he said “It is a huge relief and very encouraging to see green zones in most North Eastern States. As of date, only Assam and Tripura have active COVID-19 cases; the other States are all in the green zone.” To maintain the positive status of COVID-19 management in the North East, Dr. Harsh Vardhan advised the States to ensure that the returning migrant labourers, students and those returning from abroad should be screened and quarantined as per the guidelines and protocol laid down.

Dr Harsh Vardhan stated that as on 9th May 2020, a total of 59,662 cases have been reported from the country in which 17,847 persons have been cured and 1,981 deaths had occurred. In the last 24 hours, 3,320 new confirmed cases have been added and 1307 patients were found cured. He added that the fatality rate is 3.3% and recovery rate is 29.9%. He also added that (as of yesterday) there are 2.41% present active COVID-19 patients in ICU, 0.38% on ventilators and 1.88% on oxygen support. He also said, “The testing capacity has increased in the country and it is 95,000 tests per day with 332 Government laboratories and 121 private laboratories. Cumulatively, 15,25,631 tests have been done so far for COVID-19.”

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Dr. Harsh Vardhan reviews preparedness and containment measures taken for COVID-19 management in Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Karnataka

Dr. Harsh Vardhan stated, “Appropriate measures are being taken to combat COVID-19 and with the cohesive efforts of both Centre and States, adequately growing numbers of dedicated COVID hospitals, Isolation & ICU beds and Quarantine being identified and developed so far, we are well-prepared to face any eventuality due to COVID-19”. Centre is also supporting by providing sufficient number of masks & Personal Protective Equipment, Ventilators etc. to the States/ UTs / Central Institutions, he further added.

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ShriAmit Shah chairs a Review Meeting of Directors General of All Central Armed Police Forces

The Union Home Minister appreciated the commendable work being done by our CAPFs in this difficult situation of COVID-19 management. Shri Shah said that Modi government is not only concerned over spread of COVID-19 but is making all out efforts to ensure safety, security and wellbeing of all CAPFs. During the meeting, the innovative measures taken by each of the CAPFs in order to contain the disease were also discussed. The suggestions ranged from providing awareness and training about precautions; changing the arrangements in Mess and staying facilities in barracks; boosting immunity as per Ministry of AYUSH guidelines; and, ensuring proper personnel management, keeping in view the age of the security personnel and their health history.

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Phone call between Prime Minister ShriNarendraModi and H.E. Giuseppe Conte, Prime Minister of Italy

Prime Minister ShriNarendraModi had a phone call with H.E. Giuseppe Conte, Prime Minister of Italy.The Prime Minister conveyed his condolences for the loss of lives in Italy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The two leaders discussed the measures required to address the health and economic impact of the pandemic in their own countries as well as at a global level. They expressed solidarity with each other and appreciated the mutual cooperation extended towards each other’s stranded nationals. The Prime Minister assured Mr. Conte of India’s unstinted support to Italy in provision of essential medicines and other items.

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Union Labour and Employment Ministry will take all possible steps to help mitigate problems faced by the industry and the workers due to lockdown

Ministry of Labour and Employment has been in dialogue with the social partners to discuss the emergent situation arising out of COVID-19 pandemic and to chalk out strategies and policy initiatives to minimize its impact on the workers and on the economy.ShriSantosh Kumar Gangwar, Minister of State (I/C) for Labour and Employment held a Webinar with the Employers’ Organizations. He mentioned that his Ministry is sympathetic to the requirements of the industry and would try to provide all possible help, for revival of industry and reopening of the economy. He also mentioned that the Ministry of Labour and Employment is consulting other concerned line Ministries for resolving the issues being faced by the Industry, particularly, MSME sector.

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New procedure for registration, approval, etc. of certain entities deferred to 1st October, 2020

In view of the unprecedented humanitarian and economic crisis, the CBDT has decided that the implementation of new procedure for approval/ registration/notification of certain entities shall be deferred to 1st October, 2020. Accordingly, the entities approved/ registered/ notified under section 10(23C), 12AA, 35 and 80G of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (the Act) would be required to file intimation within three months from 1st October, 2020, i.e, by 31st December, 2020. Further, the amended procedure for approval/ registration/ notification of new entities shall also apply from 1st October, 2020.

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Clarification in respect of residency under the Income-tax Act, 1961

Section 6 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 contains provisions relating to residency of a person. The status of an individual as to whether he is resident in India or a non-resident or not ordinarily resident, is dependent, inter-alia, on the period for which the person is in India during a year.Various representations have been received stating that there are number of individuals who had come on a visit to India during the previous year 2019-20 for a particular durationand intended to leave India before the end of the previous year for maintaining their status as non-resident or not ordinary resident in India. However due to declaration of the lockdown and suspension of international flights owing to outbreak of COVID-19, they are required to prolong their stay in India. Concerns have been expressed that they may involuntarily end up becoming Indian residents without any intention to do so.In order to avoid genuine hardship in such cases, the CBDT has now issued clarification in this regard.

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Minority communitiesequally contributing in the fight against COVID-19 along with all the people of the society—ShriMukhtar Abbas Naqvi

Minister of Minority Affairs ShriMukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said here that more than 1500 Health Care Assistants, who have been trained under skill development programme of Minority Affairs Ministry, are assisting in treatment and well-being of Corona patients.ShriNaqvi said here that these Health Care Assistants include 50 per cent girls who are helping in treatment of Corona patients in various hospitals and health care centres across the country. ShriNaqvi said that different waqf boards across the country have contributed Rs 51 crore in PM and CM relief funds for Corona pandemic with the support of various religious, social and educational organisations..

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490 Lifeline Udan flights operated till date to ensure continuous supply of essential and medical supplies across the country

490 flights have been operated under Lifeline Udan by Air India, Alliance Air, IAF and private carriers. Cargo transported on 8^th May 2020 was 6.32 tons taking total amount of cargo transportedto around 848.42 tons. Alliance Air operated 2 fights on 8^th May 2020 while 8 flights were operated by IAF.Aerial distance covered by Lifeline Udan flights till date is over 4,73,609 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.Helicopter services including Pawan Hans Ltdhave been operating in J&K, Ladakh, Islands and North East region transporting critical medical cargo and patients. Pawan Hans till 8th May2020 have carried 2.32 tons of cargo covering a distance of 8,001kms.

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Despite enormous challenges posed by COVID -19 pandemic RCF registers over 35 percent increase in sale of NPK fertilizers Suphala

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INPUTS FROM PIB FIELD OFFICES

• Arunachal Pradesh: CM announces mandatory test for every person entering the state, including asymptomatic persons in order to prevent the spread of COVID19.
• Manipur: 22 nurses from Manipur working in five private hospitals in Kolkata reached the State and have been kept into quarantine centre.
• Meghalaya: Another person tested COVID19 positive in Shillong, Meghalaya who works at the same house as the earlier patient, found while doing precautionary retesting.The person is healthy and showing no symptoms, tweets Meghalaya CM.
• Mizoram: Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan congratulates Mizoram Health Minister for the State becoming COVID19 free, and for the 10 points drop in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR).
• Nagaland:Govt says referral of serious non-COVID patients outside the state to be permitted only after acceptance certificate from the outside hospital is enclosed in the patient's application. Nagaland Planning Minister says 33 people stranded outside the State have applied for e-passes while another 7,015 have requested the Govt to arrange for their return.
• Sikkim: CM met Governor Shri Ganga Prasad to discuss about revitalisation of economy of the state due to Coronavirus outbreak; informed him about austerity measures.
• Tripura: 17,000 Tripura people stranded in 11 other states have registered through online portal for returning to the state. Also 33,000 migrant workers to be sent back to their respective states from Tripura.
• Maharashtra: State has 19,063 cases of Covid-19 with 1,089 more people testing positive. 37 people have lost their lives due to the virus in the last 24 hours taking the total death toll in the state to 731. Mumbai reported 748 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours taking total number of cases in the city to the 11,967. Across Maharashtra, 714 police personnel have also tested positive.
• Gujarat: DrRandeepGuleria, Director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences met doctors at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital today to give them advice on Covid-19 treatment protocol. Meanwhile, Gujarat recorded 24 more deaths taking the overall toll to 449 while total Covid 19 positive cases stood at 7,403, second highest in the country after Maharashtra.
• Rajasthan: 57 new coronavirus cases were reported  in Rajasthan, bringing the total reported cases to 3,636. Among the total people infected as on date, 1,916 have recovered and 101 have passed away.
• MP: 89 new cases were reported as of 8:00 a.m. today in MP, taking the total reported cases to 3,341. Among the total people infected as on date, 1,349 have recovered and 200 have passed away. For three days on a trot, MP has reported more recoveries than new positive cases.

• Chhattisgarh:CM  ShriBhupeshBhagel has written to the Prime Minister ShriNarendraModi and demanded a Rs 30,000 crore package to battle the economic crisis following Covid 19 pandemic. With 60 reported cases and no fatalities, Chhattisgarh has been one of the least affected major states in India.
• Kerala: Kerala government has resumed issuing passes to people returning from other states other than from red zone areas. Many Keralites without passes are stuck at the check posts of border districts of the state. The Kottayam district administration has begun steps to identify the 34 students who returned from the red zone district of Thiruvallur in Tamil Nadu and are evading quarantine. Three more flights from Muscat, Kuwait and Doha will arrive Kochi tonight through Vande Bharat mission. Only one case of Covid-19 was reported yesterday with 10 recoveries. Only 16 patients are still under treatment.
• Tamil Nadu: State moves SC against HC order barring counter sale of alcohol. CM urges Prime Minister Modi to place amendments to Electricity Act in abeyance. Two Air India flights under the Vande Bharat Mission from Dubai carrying 359 passengers landed at Chennai International Airport early morning today. Another flight from Malaysia with 168 passengers would arrive in Tiruchy International airport today. Total Covid cases till yesterday: 6009, Active cases: 4361, Deaths: 40, Discharged: 1605. 1589 cases till now linked to Koyembedu Market.
• Karnataka: Today 36 new Covid cases reported in the State till now; Bangalore 12, Uttara Kannada 7, Davangere 6, three each in Chitradurga, Bidar&Dakshinkannada and one each in Tumkur and Vijayapura .Total positive  cases till now 789.  So far 30 people dead and 379 people cured and discharged.
• Andhra Pradesh: State to set up Special Enforcement Bureau to curb illegal liquor and sand transportation.  Orders issued to reduce the number of liquor outlets limiting them to 2,934 from 3500. 43 Covid +ve new cases reported, 45 discharged and three deaths reported in the last 24 hours after testing 8388 samples. Total cases rise to 1930. Active cases: 999, Recovered: 887, Deaths: 44. Districts leading in +ve cases: Kurnool (553), Guntur (376), Krishna (338), Anantapur (102).
• Telangana: ICMR accords permission for six months to ESI Hospital and Gandhi to carry out plasma therapy trials on Covid19 patients. State  began imposing a fine of Rs 1,000 on people roaming in public places without wearing a mask. A group of migrant workers at a construction site in Gachibowli staged a protest demanding that they be sent back to their native places. Total positive cases till now 1132; Active cases: 376, Deaths : 29, Discharged: 727.
  • Chandigarh: The UT Chandigarh Administrator has directed the Deputy Commissioner, UT to coordinate with the receiving states, so that the stranded labour and other persons desirous of going to their home states could do so after necessary medical screening. Nearly 5,000 persons, mostly NRIs and residents of Chandigarh, are expected to return from abroad by air.
• Punjab: The Punjab Government has issued the advisory on maintaining and ensuring the safety of food and other essential household items during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the general advisory, the Punjab Government has directed that the shop-owners, delivery staff and customers should be wearing cloth masks at all the times. The mask should also be worn even if the purchase of groceries or collection of an order takes a fraction of time. In Specific Advisory for the consumers/customers, the Punjab Government has advised them to carry cloth bags while going out to buy the essentials. The cloth bag should be washed thoroughly with soap and water immediately after use.
  • Haryana: As per the commitment made by Haryana Government, the migrant labourers keen on returning will be sent to their home states free of cost by the State Government within the next 7 days through 5,000 buses and 100 trains. The entire expenditure on their transportation will be borne by the State Government. In the present scenario, the Chief Minister has directed the entire Government machinery, including District Administration, that during the lockdown there should be appropriate arrangements for food and shelter for every migrant labourer and no migrant labourer should feel that they are miles away from home.

FACT CHECK

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