Coronavirus LIVE: India stays indoors for Janata Curfew on PM Modi's appeal

Coronavirus latest updates: Globally 300,227 infections reported while death toll rose to 12,948 till Saturday due to Covid-19. Catch Coronavirus LIVE updates here

7:28 PM

7:27 PM

EU approves France plan for 3 bn euro virus aid package

7:27 PM

IRCTC tweaks order, food facilities to allow takeaways

The IRCTC has revised its order on onboard services and will now allow takeaway food from its plazas, refreshment rooms, Jan Aahars and cell kitchens which it had shut down due to the coronavirus outbreak.

 

The revised order was issued on Saturday and will be applicable from March 22.

 

In the latest order, the railway subsidiary said that while takeaways will be allowed from its food outlets, no one will be allowed to sit there and have meals. On Friday, the IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) had ordered the closure of all onboard catering services in mail or express trains from March 22 until further notice in view of the coronavirus outbreak.

 

7:26 PM

Mauritius reports first coronavirus death as cases rise

Mauritius has recorded its first death from coronavirus, the health minister said Saturday, just the third in sub-Saharan Africa, as the archipelago nation imposed a lockdown to contain the outbreak.

 

"There have been 14 confirmed cases so far, one of which died on Thursday evening," Health Minister Kailesh Jagutpal said, without providing details about the deceased patient.

 

Mauritius, some 1,800 kilometres (1,100 miles) off the eastern coast of Africa, went into lockdown Friday, with the country's citizens told to stay indoors for 14 days.

 

There were just three confirmed cases in Mauritius on Thursday when Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth appealed to the country's 1.3 million citizens to obey the order.

7:26 PM

Switzerland says coronavirus infections rise to 6,100

Switzerland on Saturday reported 6,100 coronavirus infections, some 25% more than a day earlier, and 56 deaths, the Swiss health ministry said, as hospitals in the canton of Ticino that borders hard-hit Italy were under intense pressure.

 

"The situation in Ticino is very tense," said Daniel Koch, head of the Federal Office of Health's communicable diseases division. The latest tally nationwide is up more than 1,200 cases in a day, while the deaths were up 13 from Friday.

 

7:24 PM

No need for panic buying of milk, other dairy products, says Amul MD

GCMMF, which markets its dairy products under Amul brand, on Saturday said there will be no shortage of milk and other dairy products and asked people to refrain from panic buying amid coronavirus scare.

 

Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) MD R S Sodhi said there have been reports of panic buying of milk and other dairy products because of coronavirus.

 

He assured people that there will be no shortage of dairy products.

 

7:23 PM

Assam asks schools to continue teaching via WhatsApp during shutdown

The Assam government on Saturday directed the schools to provide students with course materials and give them homework through WhatsApp to prevent learning gaps and subsequent dropouts during the closure of educational institutes due to the coronavirus outbreak, officials said.

 

The Education Department asked the schools to create WhatsApp groups with guardians of the students for this purpose, an official said.

 

The department also asked teachers to make short videos on topics in the syllabi and upload them in the WhatsApp groups, he said.

 

7:22 PM

Delhi Metro services will remain closed from 10 am to 4 pm on Monday, and 8 pm onwards: DMRC official

7:20 PM

Ireland-Bangladesh cricket series postponed due to coronavirus

7:17 PM

Partial lockdown in Nepal amid virus fears

7:06 PM

Coronavirus: Disinfection drive launched in Delhi's Azadpur Mandi

7:01 PM

Vietnam bars entry to all foreigners from Sunday

Vietnam will bar entry for all foreigners from Sunday, except for special cases, as the Southeast Asian country seeks to contain the spread of coronavirus, the government said.

 

Those entering the country on "diplomatic and special purposes" will be subject to quarantine and approval from the ministries of police, health and foreign affairs, the government said in a statement on Saturday.

 

Vietnam also said it would suspend all inbound international flights.

6:58 PM

Bengaluru police chief caution people against venturing out

Ahead of the 'Janta curfew' announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 22, the city police on Saturday cautioned people that action will be taken under certain sections of law if they venture out unnecessarily.

 

Requesting citizens to stay at home by observing the 'curfew' to fight the spread of COVID-19, Bengaluru Police chief Bhaskar Rao cautioned people against venturing out unnecessarily.

 

Stating that security and control room at the Commissioners office will be open, while others will be on streets to implement 'Janta Curfew', he said everyone should stay at home.

6:58 PM

12 more test positive in Kerala, total cases touch 49

Twelve more fresh cases of coronavirus were reported from Kerala on Saturday, taking the tally to 49, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.

 

While six more people tested positive from Kasaragod, three each new cases were from Kannur and Ernakulam districts, Vijayan told reporters after a COVID-19 review meeting here.

 

All those who were diagnosed with the virus today had returned from Dubai recently, Vijayan said.

6:52 PM

Assembly of over 10 banned, no standing travel in buses