***CORONA VIRUS UPDATES***

[Kool_SRG]

US to close border with Canada

Donald Trump said that the US was shutting its northern border with Canada for non-essential traffic with "mutual consent" in a bid to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. "Trade will not be affected," Trump tweeted.

 

[Kool_SRG]

Maharashtra govt to allow 8 labs to conduct COVID-19 tests

The Maharashtra government on Wednesday decided to allow novel coronavirus testing at eight labs apart from from the National Institute of Virology in Pune, reports said. News18 reported that the testing in three new labs will begin from Thursday. 

 

 

[Kool_SRG]

195 Indian pilgrims from Iran quarantined at Jaisalmer facility

At least 195 Indians who were stranded in coronavirus-hit Iran have been quarantined in a facility in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer. They arrived in India on Wednesday evening.

[Kool_SRG]

Coronavirus stays infective in air for hours, on surfaces for days

Sars-CoV-2, the virus that causes the Covid-19 disease, is detectable for up to three hours in aerosols, up to four hours on a copper surface, up to 24 hours on cardboard, and up to two-three days on plastic and stainless steel.

[Kool_SRG]

 

[Kool_SRG]

 

Number of confirmed coronavirus cases in UK rises to 2,626

The number of people who have tested positive in the United Kingdom for coronavirus has increased to 2,626, the health ministry said on Wednesday.

The figure was an increase of 676 or 35% from Tuesday. So far, Britain has reported 71 deaths from the virus.

[Kool_SRG]

Just now, Kool_SRG said:

 

Number of confirmed coronavirus cases in UK rises to 2,626

The number of people who have tested positive in the United Kingdom for coronavirus has increased to 2,626, the health ministry said on Wednesday.

The figure was an increase of 676 or 35% from Tuesday. So far, Britain has reported 71 deaths from the virus.

@Kontekurradu   enti paristhithi...

[Kool_SRG]

One more COVID-19 case reported in Maharashtra

The Maharashtra public health department said that a 50-year-old person has tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Ratnagiri. The person has a travel history to Dubai. Total number of positive cases reaches 45 in Maharashtra.

[Kool_SRG]

Health ministry says passengers from South Korea to produce negative cert

The health ministry on Wednesday said that passengers coming/transiting through the UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait after 12 GMT on 18 March (port of departure) to be quarantined upon arrival for 14 days. Those who have visited China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, Spain, France, and Germany on/after 15 February to be quarantined.

"Indians coming from South Korea are required to produce negative COVID-19 certificate to come to the country," the notification said.

[Kool_SRG]

Maharashtra govt says workforce in offices, public transport to work at 50% capacity

The Maharashtra government on Wednesday said that a decision had been made that offices will continue on a day-to-day basis, accounting for 50 percent of the workforce. "Besides, it has been suggested to try to operate 50 percent passenger capacity of the public transport system including rail, buses and metro. The shop hours in the city will be decided in such a way that the shops will open in the morning and close in the afternoon. There is no reason to panic as the supply of essential commodities in the state is sufficient and smooth," Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said.

[Kool_SRG]

[Kool_SRG]

First COVID-19 case reported in Srinagar, says report

The first case of coronavirus was reported in the Kashmir area of the Jammu and Kashmir union territory on Wednesday, India Today reported.

"A resident of Khanyar area in Srinagar tested positive for COVID-19, Jammu and Kashmir administration confirmed. According to authorities, the patient had a history of international travel and arrived in India on 16 March. The patient has currently been put under isolation and surveillance, contact tracing has started in a 300-metre area," the report said.

[Kool_SRG]

JEE-Main scheduled for April postponed 

The Joint Entrance Exam (JEE-Main) for admission to IITs and engineering colleges was postponed on Wednesday in view of coronavirus, according to the HRD Ministry's National Testing Agency (NTA). The exam was scheduled to be held from 5 April to 11 April.

"The JEE-Main exam has been postponed. The new date will be decided in accordance with the board exams schedule and other competitive exams to ensure there is no clash," a senior NTA official said. 

 

[Kool_SRG]

Rajasthan govt imposes Section 144 across state

Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday said that Section 144 had been imposed across the state in a bid to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. "In order to save the lives of the people from the coronavirus infection, Section 144 has been directed to be implemented in the first phase across the state by 31 March. The District Magistrate, Sub Divisional Officers have been authorized to issue necessary guidelines in this regard," Gehlot said.

"The entire effort of the state government is that the citizens of the state survive the infection of this epidemic. People should be advised not to congregate through loudspeakers at other religious and public places including temples, mosques," he added.

[Kool_SRG]

12 minutes ago, Kool_SRG said:

Rajasthan govt imposes Section 144 across state

Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday said that Section 144 had been imposed across the state in a bid to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. "In order to save the lives of the people from the coronavirus infection, Section 144 has been directed to be implemented in the first phase across the state by 31 March. The District Magistrate, Sub Divisional Officers have been authorized to issue necessary guidelines in this regard," Gehlot said.

"The entire effort of the state government is that the citizens of the state survive the infection of this epidemic. People should be advised not to congregate through loudspeakers at other religious and public places including temples, mosques," he added.