Coronavirus News Live: The Indian government has decided to extend the coronavirus lockdown by two weeks beginning May 4. COVID-19 positive cases reached 40,263 and deaths at 1,306. Maharashtra alone reported 12296 coronavirus cases, while its death toll also rose to 521 followed by Gujarat reported 5055 cases with 262 deaths. Delhi reported 4122 cases with 64 deaths due to COVID-19 decease. Report by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
For the past five weeks in India, more than 1.3 billion people have been required to shelter indoors, with few exceptions. The lockdown was due to expire Sunday night. But on Friday, the government issued a notice saying the nationwide lockdown would continue for an additional two weeks due to COVID-19. Districts designated as Orange Zone and Green Zone will see some much-needed relaxations, however, there is no relief in sight for major economic hubs such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, suspension of railway service and all domestic and international commercial flights have been extended till May 17.
Armed forces held several special activities in India including military band displays and flypasts to shower flower petals on hospitals treating coronavirus patients. Later in the evening, the navy will light up its warships to express their gratitude towards the frontline workers. Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat said while briefing the media Air Force will conduct flypast from Srinagar to Trivandrum and another one starting from Dibrugarh in Assam to Kutch in Gujarat.
Ministry of Home Affairs has directed the Indian Railways to operate Shramik special trains to move migrant workers, pilgrims and students, stranded in various States during the lockdown, Although the Railways has said that special trains would be operated only based on requests from the State governments, it has announced that an additional charge of ₹50 per passenger would be collected, along with the sleeper class fare, in the special trains to be operated between various States.
According to the latest figures published by Coronatracker 3,502,009 cases have been detected worldwide, with 245,064 deaths. US alone reported 1,160,996 with 67,448 deaths followed by Spain 245,567 cases with 25,100 deaths. Italy 209,328 cases with 28,710 deaths.
Published: Hindustan View 03/05/2020