Highlights: PM Modi says ‘a big thank you to our frontline Covid-19 warriors’

Empowerd groups will ensure proper planning and implementation of response activities.

Ministry of Home Affairs has reconstituted Empowered Groups, for planning and ensuring implementation of #COVID19 response activities. pic.twitter.com/FYxzxfVDu5

— ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2020

US stocks open sharply lower as China virus tensions affect investor sentiment.

#BREAKING US stocks open sharply lower on weakness in Amazon and Apple shares, China virus tensions, Dow down 1.8% pic.twitter.com/xThselBilF

— AFP news agency (@AFP) May 1, 2020

Railways has decided to charge fares for tickets for Specials Trains for stranded migrant workers. This fare includes price of regular sleeper class tickets plus superfast charges of ₹30 and an additional charge of ₹20. This includes meals and drinking water for long distance trains. State governments will coordinate and can pay on passenger's behalf, railways ministry says. States can pay on behalf of the labourers belonging to respective states.

MHA allows green zones to reopen liquor and paan shops.

Liquor stores & paan shops will be allowed to function in green zones while ensuring minimum six feet distance (2 gaz ki doori) from each other & ensuring that not more 5 persons are present at one time at the shop: MHA on the extension of #lockdown for two weeks from May 4

— ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2020

Kerala has reported zero coronavirus cases and 392 people have recovered so far.

No new #COVID19 case reported in Kerala today: State Health minister K K Shailaja

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 1, 2020

Tamil Nadu has 2,526 confirmed cases of Covid-19.

203 new #COVID19 positive cases reported in Tamil Nadu, taking the total number of cases to 2526: State Health Minister C Vijayabaskar

— ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2020

MHA said that cab aggregators can ply with one driver and one passenger in orange zones.

MHA amends Para 11 of the #lockdown extension order, 'in Orange Zones, in addition to activities permitted in Red Zone, taxis & cab aggregators will be permitted with 1 driver & 2 passengers only'. https://t.co/iACNHIxblO

— ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2020

MHA says all industrial and construction activities including MGNREGA works, food-processing units and brick-kilns will be allowed in Red zones.

A large number of other activities are allowed in the Red Zones. All industrial and construction activities in rural areas, including MNREGA works, food-processing units and brick-kilns are permitted: MHA on the extension of #lockdown pic.twitter.com/vHUU4ndGZZ

— ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2020

Plying of private vehicles, cab aggregators, auto-rickshaws to be prohibited. Inter-district plying of buses, intra-district plying of buses also prohibited.

In red zones, outside containment zones, certain activities are prohibited in addition to those prohibited throughout India. These are: plying of cycle rickshaws&auto rickshaws; taxis&cab aggregators; intra-district&inter-district plying of buses&barber shops,spas&saloons: MHA https://t.co/LCSEKe416U

— ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2020

The ministry of home affairs has extended the lockown for two more weeks starting from May 4.

Ministry of Home Affairs issues order under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 to further extend the Lockdown for a further period of two weeks beyond May 4: MHA pic.twitter.com/Cw4bkdMTFU

— ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2020

PM asked the authorities to ensure unhindered supply of electricity and push more customer-centered initiatives so that people in lockdown face no troubles with electricity supply.

PM emphasized importance of consumer centricity&directed to work towards goal of supplying 24X7 power to all consumers.Measures for improving viability of distribution companies,incl tariff rationalization&timely release of subsidies along with improved governance discussed: PMO pic.twitter.com/pxCIzKdydT

— ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2020

CDS General Bipin Rawat said that the India Air Force will conduct flypasts from J&K's Srinagar to Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram, from Assam's Dibrugarh to Gujarat's Kutch with transport and fighter aircrafts. The aircrafts will also shower flower petals on some places.

There are some special activities that nation will get to witness. Air Force to conduct flypast from Srinagar to Trivandrum & another one starting from Dibrugarh in Assam to Kutch in Gujarat. It'll include both transport & fighter aircraft: Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat

— ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2020

The Indian Newspaper Society said that losses of up to ₹15,000 crore can rattle the newspaper industry if government does not provide relief.

Newspaper industry could face losses of up to ₹15,000 crore if relief not provided: Indian Newspaper Society (INS) to govt

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 1, 2020

The Chief of Defence of Staff thanked all frontline workers starting from doctors, nurses, delivery boys to mediapersons for working cohesively with the Govt during these difficult times.

On behalf of armed forces, we want to thank all COVID-19 warriors. Doctors, nurses, sanitation workers, police, home guards, delivery boys & media which has been reaching out with the message of government on how to carry on with lives in difficult times: CDS General Bipin Rawat https://t.co/PorqNow6P0

— ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2020

Bengal governor Dhankhar lashed out at the Trinamool-led government as reports of hurdles being created for the IMCT team surfaced.

#WATCH West Bengal is the only state where Inter-Ministerial Central Team faced problems in carrying out their work.When entire country is fighting against #COVID19&IMCT team came to assess the situation, we should have received it with red carpet:West Bengal Guv,Jagdeep Dhankhar pic.twitter.com/JicYNxofPE

— ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2020