India

The government issued guidelines on the measures to be taken by the ministries and departments of the Centre and the governments of State and Union Territory for the containment of COVID-19 epidemic in the country.

In a televised address to the nation, PM Modi said there would a total ban on venturing out of homes and said it should be considered a curfew.

The youth, who studies in Australia, returned home on March 19, was found driving around in his car with his parents in Hyderabad even after being asked to stay at home as part of quarantine measures.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur made the announcement at 3.15 pm after the district authorities in Una, Kangra and Mandi had already imposed a curfew to contain the spread of the disease.

Lauding their work, K Palaniswami said doctors, nurses, paramedics and cleanliness workers are working with a sense of dedication, even risking their lives.

"Maximum payment which may be made shall be limited to 70 per cent of the contract value for contracts awarded on lump sum basis," the order stated.

"Vehicles and trains carrying goods for trade or essential goods and supplies are exempted from this prohibition along with their crew, driver, helper, cleaner, etc. subject to their thorough screening by medical staff for COVID-19," the notification said...

Acting on a tip-off, a team of CRPF personnel and policemen launched a search for the landmines by cordoning off an area near Kanaudi village under the jurisdiction of Madanpur police station.

The move comes against the backdrop of alleged instances of brokers, depository participants and other personnel related to stock markets facing difficulties in commuting to their workplaces.

The decision was taken at an emergency meeting convened by Chief Information Commissioner Bimal Julka following an advisory by the Department of Personnel and Training on preventive steps to contain the spread of the virus.

While inter-district vehicular movement has been strictly restricted, traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu highway will also be regulated. Vehicles carrying essential supplies will move normally.

ICMR said probes, one of the components required for testing of Covid-19, are being procured from the USA and being distributed to testing labs across the country.

The two Awantipora residents, with a travel history of visiting Pakistan and Bangladesh, are currently in EDI Pampore to undergo necessary quarantine and further action will be taken against them after their quarantine period is over.

In the first hour of Monday's trade, benchmark indices cracked over 10 per cent, triggering a 45-minute trading freeze as coronavirus-led lockdowns across the world stoked fears of a massive global recession.

The real GDP growth will slow to under 2.5% for the June 2019 quarter, down from the estimate of 4% for March, the Swiss multinational investment bank said in a research note.

There will be a complete ban on assembly of three or more persons, and shutdown of all shops and businesses educational institutions, markets and Anganwadi centres.