Coronavirus LIVE: Kerala reports 13,658 new cases; 4,506 in Tamil Nadu

Today's coronavirus numbers: Bengaluru (753 cases), Mumbai 562 cases), Chennai (275 cases), Kolkata (191 cases), Delhi (59 cases). Stay tuned for corona-related news

4:13 PM

More than 32.13 crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs: Health Ministry

3:57 PM

Second Covid wave derailed hospitality industry recovery: ICRA

The second wave of the coronavirus pandemic has derailed the recovery of the hospitality industry, which is now expected to return to pre-Covid levels only in 2023-24, according to ratings agency ICRA.

 

Since mid-April, the industry has been affected by the pandemic-related lockdowns/restrictions on mobility by various states and increased wariness to travel due to fear of infection contagion, ICRA said in statement.

 

Consequently, recovery to pre-Covid levels has now been pushed back by 6-8 months from previous estimates. The revenue recovery to pre-Covid levels is currently expected by FY2024, it added.

3:49 PM

LIVE: Covid positive kids seldom require hospitalisation, says V K Paul

3:45 PM

Suspension of scheduled international passenger flights extended till July 31

The coronavirus-induced suspension of scheduled international passenger flights has been extended till July 31, aviation regulator DGCA said on Wednesday.

 

"However, international scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on a case-to-case basis," the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) added.

 

Scheduled international passenger services have been suspended in India since March 23, 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic. But special international flights have been operating under the Vande Bharat Mission since May 2020 and under bilateral "air bubble" arrangements with selected countries since July 2020. READ ON...

3:38 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Cabinet approves FM Sitharaman’s relief measures

Union Cabinet approves FM Nirmala Sitharaman’s Covid relief measures

 

3:26 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Delhi sees 94 new cases in a day; positivity rate 0.12%

2:57 PM

SC directs ICAI to provide 'opt-out' option to Covid-affected CA candidates

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) to provide an "opt-out" option to a candidate in the CA exams, scheduled to begin from July 5, who are not able to prepare for exams either due to COVID-19 suffered by themselves or their family members in recent past.

 

A Bench headed by Justice AM Khanwilkar said only a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner will be required for the opt-out option and candidates need not produce an RT-PCR report if a report produced by the medical practitioner is placed with the application for opting out.

 

"Opt-out facility for candidates who have suffered COVID personally or any of his family members, so certified by a registered medical practitioner, as a result of which he is unable to appear for the exam, or disabled from preparing for the exam, is entitled to exercise the option of opting out. It will not be considered as an attempt. Such candidate will be permitted to appear for the next examination for both old and new syllabus," the court stated in its order.

2:52 PM

COVAXIN received Emergency Use Authorizations in 16 countries: Bharat Biotech

2:36 PM

Classes to resume in Uttarkhand schools via online mode from July 1

2:36 PM

Arunachal Pradesh reports 344 fresh Covid cases, one more fatality

The COVID-19 tally of Arunachal Pradesh mounted to 35,571 with 344 single-day cases, while one more fatality raised the death toll to 168, a senior health department official said on Wednesday.

 

The northeastern state now has 2,687 active cases and 32,716 patients have recovered from the disease, he said.

 

The Capital Complex Region reported the highest number of new cases at 84, followed by Kurung Kumey (62), East Siang and Upper Subansiri with 29 each, Changlang (19), Lohit (16), Papumpare (13) and Tawang at 12, State Surveillance Officer Lobsang Jampa said.

2:22 PM

Karnataka mulls reopening temples in phased manner after July 5

Karnataka Hindu Religious Organisations and Endowments minister, Kota Srinivasa Poojary on Wednesday dropped hint that he was in discussions with state Covid task force and other departments to reopen temples in a phased manner after July 5.

 

Poojary told reporters that the government is likely to give permission to reopen 'A' grade temples across the state in the first phase of reopening of temples.

 

Among the government's notified 34,558 temples, there are only a select few which fall in 'A' grade category which attract huge devotees. READ ON...

2:16 PM

Delhi's Laxmi Nagar main market closed till July 5 for violation of Covid norms

2:07 PM

Survey puts Tamil Nadu govt on top in Covid pandemic handling

How well did states handle the second wave? Survey puts Tamil Nadu on top

 

A new survey has revealed 59 per cent of Tamil Nadu's residents and 54 per cent of residents from Andhra Pradesh believe their state administrations have effectively handled the second wave of Covid pandemic. READ MORE...

1:41 PM

Shortage of Covid vaccine doses at vaccination centre in Ahmedabad

1:37 PM

SC directs NDMA to issue fresh norms for providing financial help to kin of Covid victims

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to issue fresh guidelines for providing minimum standards of financial help to families of those who lost their lives to COVID-19.

 

A special bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan and M R Shah said the court cannot direct the Centre to fix a particular amount of financial help but the government can fix the minimum standard of amount to be paid as ex-gratia to family members of those who lost their lives due to COVID-19 while keeping various aspects in mind.

 

The bench said the government can fix a reasonable amount while keeping in the mind the funds and resources available with the country.