PM hints at lockdown extension, says situation like ‘social emergency’

Final decision may be taken after meeting with CMs on Saturday; UP seals hotspots

In an effort to shape a consensus on the ongoing nationwide lockdown, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday told Parliament floor leaders that the situation in the country was akin to a “social emergency”, and indicated the curbs were likely to continue beyond April 14. Interacting with them via videoconferencing, the PM said he would take a decision on extending the lockdown after a meeting with chief ministers on Saturday.

The number of coronavirus cases in the country crossed 5,000 on Wednesday, with 149 deaths, the data from the heath ministry said. According to a government statement, the PM said “several state governments, district administrations, and experts had asked for an extension of the lockdown”. Over the last week, Modi has spoken of a “staggered exit” and a “graded” lifting of the lockdown. Several state governments have also put forward their suggestions on graded lifting, including running special trains, and allowing some industrial activity.

There are concerns in several states, particularly those with bustling urban centres, like Maharashtra, that lifting the lockdown now could be counterproductive and any gains in controlling the spread might be lost. After the four-hour meeting, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said nearly 80 per cent of political leaders, including himself, suggested the PM that the lockdown should be extended.The Uttar Pradesh government announced that it would seal coronavirus hotspots in 15 districts across the state from Wednesday midnight till April 14. UP Additional Chief Secretary Awanish Kumar Awasthi said 104 coronavirus hotspots had been identified across 81 police station areas in these districts. A ‘complete lockdown’ would be enforced, he said.

World coronavirus dispatch: New York sees more deaths than during 9/11

From the US’ plan to scale up testing after biggest single-day deaths, to spike in cases in Spain, and China’s new employment crisis, read these and more in today’s international coronavirus digest

In New York City, the number of deaths due to coronavirus has now exceeded the count of people who perished in the World Trade Center attack of September 11, 2001 (9/11). While the deadliest terror attack on the US soil 19 years ago had killed 2,753 people NYC, the city’s Covid-19 death toll now stands at 5,489, including an addition of 731, the most since the start of the outbreak, on Tuesday alone. These numbers seem to be dampening some cautious optimism that officials had.

Let’s look at the global statistics:

Total confirmed cases: 1,446,242

Change over the previous day: 166,196

Total deaths: 83,424

Total recovered: 308,146

Nations hit with most cases: US (399,929), Spain (146,690), Italy (135,586), France (110,070), and Germany (107,663). (Source: Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Research Center)

US planning mass-testing: The White House is considering increasing the pace of testing Americans. It views this as a way to re-open the economy sooner, according to Bloomberg. Donald Trump has sought a pathway to return Americans to work and schools, and he expects to open up some offices in four to eight weeks. Read more here

UK and US record highest single-day deaths: About 1,800 people died due to coronavirus in the US, and 854 people in the UK, on Tuesday. The US fatality number was the highest single-day death toll for any country so far. The data could draw concerns over how the outbreak is being handled and force some governments to prolong lockdowns. Read here

Covid-19: Telangana govt announces up to 75% salary cuts for its employees

The meeting was held at Pragathi Bhavan in view of the State’s economic situation which has been affected adversely due to the coronavirus scare.

In a high-level review meeting conducted in the wake of State’s financial situation amid coronavirus outbreak, the Telangna government on Monday decided a huge pay cut for its employees ranging from 10 per cent to 75 per cent. The meeting was held at Pragathi Bhavan in view of the State’s economic situation which has been affected adversely due to the coronavirus scare. It was decided that there will be a 75 per cent cut in the salaries of the Chief Minister, State cabinet, MLCs, MLAs, State Corporation Chairpersons and Local Bodies representatives.

Whereas, there will be a 60 per cent salary cut of IAS, IPS IFS and other such Central Services Officer and for all other category of employees, there will be 50 per cent salary cut. For the Class IV, outsourcing and contract employees, there will be 10 per cent cut in the salary while for all category of pensioners there will be 50 per cent cut.

There will be a 10 per cent cut in the calary for the Class IV retired employees and for all the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), Institutions that are receiving the government grants employees, like the government employees and retirees, there will be cut in their salaries as well. There are 71 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the State, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Monday.Meanwhile, the death toll due to COVID-19 has risen to 32 and the number of total coronavirus cases reached 1,251 on Monday. There are 1,117 active cases in the country, said Ministry of Health and Family Welfare…Read More