The fourth phase of nationwide lockdown to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease Covid-19 begins today and will continue till May 31. However, many of the stringent restrictions that were in place till now have been lifted including that on interstate and intrastate travel. The Centre has also allowed states governments to grade zones based on the prevalence of Covid-19 cases.
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In fresh guidelines, the home ministry also allowed the resumption of app-based cab services; gave permission to the functioning of all shops, markets and commercial establishments except those in malls; and eased curbs on private offices that were previously allowed to function with 33% staff strength. However, Metro services and air travel, will still not be allowed.
Globally, the coronavirus has killed at least 313,611 people and infected at least 4,680,700, according to an AFP tally based on official sources.
Here are the latest updates on coronavirus:
Maharashtra CM rules out relaxing restrictions in red zones
Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray has ruled out relaxing restrictions in red zones during the fourth phase of the lockdown to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic and that he was willing to face flak for it.
Restrictions imposed on the movement of individuals in J-K toll May 31
Restrictions imposed on the movement of individuals for non-essential activities between 7pm-7am extended till May 31: Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Govt of Jammu and Kashmir
Tope, Kerala health minister discuss Covid-19 response
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Monday sought to understand the Kerala way of fighting the coronavirus pandemic and underlined challenge of ensuring social distancing in congested places like Dharavi, a Mumbai hotspot which has so far recorded over 1,200 cases, his counterpart from the southern state said.
Dharavi witnesses 85 new Covid-19 cases
85 more Covid-19 cases reported in Dharavi area of Mumbai today. Total number of cases in the area is now at 1327, including 56 deaths: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation
Maharashtra CM hands over Covid-19 facility to BMC
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday handed over the new COVID-19 health centre with the capacity of 1,000 beds to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Anticipating rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country's financial capital, the facility has been readied in 15 days on the MMRDA ground in suburban Bandra, an official said.
Gujarat continues with restrictions in containment zones
Gujarat will have containment and non-containment zones. Only essential services to be allowed in containment zones: Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani
New guidelines permit barber shops and salons to open in Rajasthan
Barber shops, salons & beauty parlours permitted to open in Rajasthan, except in containment zones. Taxis and cabs along with 2 passengers allowed to ply in orange and green zones of the state: Rajasthan Home Department
Covid-19 toll in J-K rises to 15
Two more coronavirus related deaths in Jammu and Kashmir, toll rises to 15: officials
Probe in Covid-19 pandemic at 'earliest appropriate moment': WHO chief
WHO director-general Tedros pledges independent Covid-19 pandemic response probe at 'earliest appropriate moment', reports AFP
First published: May 18, 2020 06:31 IST