Highlights: Hid nothing from US, warned since day one about Covid-19, says WHO

Govt sets up 6 inter-ministerial central teams to make on-spot assessment of Covid-19 situation, issue necessary directions to states: MHA.

The teams will focus on compliance, implementation of lockdown; supply of essentials, safety of health workers, says MHA. : PTI

Covid-19 situation serious in Indore, Mumbai, Pune, Jaipur, Kolkata and few other places in West Bengal, says MHA: PTI

New Zealand will extend the lockdown measures in place to beat the coronavirus by a week, after which it will move to a lower level of restrictions, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday, reports Reuters.

"New Zealand will move out of Alert Level 4 lockdown at 11.59 p.m. on Monday April 27, one week from today," Ardern said in a news conference.

"We will then hold in Alert Level 3 for two weeks, before reviewing how we are tracking again, and making further decisions at Cabinet on the 11th of May," she said.

Seventeen new Covid-19 positive cases reported in Rajasthan so far - one each in Ajmer, Banswara and Nagour; two each in Jhunjhunu, Jodhpur and Kota and eight in Jaipur. Total of positive cases in the state rises to 1495. Total 24 deaths and 205 recovered in the state: Rajasthan Health department: ANI

17 new #COVID19 positive cases reported in Rajasthan so far - 1 each in Ajmer, Banswara & Nagour, 2 each in Jhunjhunu, Jodhpur & Kota and 8 in Jaipur. Total of positive cases in the state rises to 1495. Total 24 deaths and 205 recovered in the state: Rajasthan Health department pic.twitter.com/zLnPSgdaT6

— ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2020

Violation of lockdown measures posing serious health hazard to public, risks spread of COVID-19: Home ministry to states : PTI

Kerala has denied Centre's objection of giving additional relaxation during lockdown, saying the Centre was informed. Confusion prevails in the state over restaurants and barber shops.

Kerala minister K Surendran said the state is abiding by directions issued bye Centre. "We've given relaxations abiding by directions issued by Centre. Centre may have asked for an explanation, due to some misunderstanding. Once we give an explanation, I hope the issue will be solved. We followed all norms set by the Centre," Kadakampally Surendran was quoted as saying by ANI.

Meanwhile, MHA has sought a report on the issue from the state

Allowing bus travel in towns, pillion rider on two wheelers, 2 passengers in back seat of car are violation of lockdown: MHA to Kerala.

MHA objects to Kerala govt giving additional relaxation during lockdown; sends letter: officials.

Kerala's decision to allow opening of restaurants, book shops violation of lockdown measures, says ministry of home affairs (MHA): PTI

Odisha's has reported 68 Covid-19 cases so far including 43 active cases, 24 cured and one death, ANI reports quoting state health department

Germany will take its first steps back towards normality on Monday, with smaller shops in some regions opening up for the first time in a month after politicians declared the coronavirus "under control", reports AFP.

From florists to fashion stores, the majority of shops smaller than 800 square metres (8,600 square feet) will be allowed to welcome customers again, in a first wave of relaxations to strict curbs on public life introduced last month.

Chancellor Angela Merkel and regional state premiers announced the decision to reopen last week, though they have been careful to cast it as no more than a cautious first step.

India’s coronavirus cases have climbed to 17,265, according to health ministry figures released on Monday morning. These include 543 deaths, 14,175 active cases and 2,546 patients who have been cured /discharged.

Protests flared in US states on Sunday over stay-at-home orders while governors disputed President Donald Trump's claims they have enough tests for the novel coronavirus and should quickly reopen their economies, reports Reuters.

An estimated 2,500 people rallied at the Washington state capitol in Olympia to protest Democratic Governor Jay Inslee’s stay-at-home order, defying a ban on gatherings of 50 or more people.

In Denver, hundreds of people gathered at the state capitol to demand the end to Colorado's shutdown. As protesters clogged streets with cars, healthcare workers in scrubs and face masks stood at intersections in counterprotest.

Central government employees in Delhi will be allowed to go to their offices o the basis of their identity cards. Though additional activities proposed by Centre from today have not been allowed by Delhi government, however, central govt employees above the rank of Deputy Secretary will be attending their offices 100% & lower staff 30%, Additional Commissioner of Police, Special Branch, said in a notification.

Additional activities proposed with effect from 20.04.2020 are not allowed in Delhi until further orders. However, central govt employees above the rank of Deputy Secy will be attending their offices 100% & lower staff 30%: Additional Commissioner of Police, Special Branch #Delhi pic.twitter.com/Fkv2xIxp8w

— ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2020

Workers gathered outside many jute mills in Barrackpore, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, on Monday, the day when limited economic activities will be allowed across India amid the second phase of lockdown.

Bengal government has allowed 15% of workforce for resumption of operations in mills during lockdown, reports ANI

WB: Workers stand outside jute mills in Barrackpore, North 24 Parganas. State govt has allowed 15% of workforce for resumption of operations in mills during lockdown. Workers say, "Mills haven't opened. We were called here by our contractor. Haven't received any info from mills." pic.twitter.com/OX2gjHW3XC

— ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2020

US crude crashed to below $15 a barrel on Monday, its lowest level for over two decades, as concerns about a coronavirus-triggered demand shock and lack of storage eclipsed an output cut deal, reports AFP.