Kerala Reports 12 New Cases
Kerala reported 12 new cases taking the total number of cases in the state to 52. CM Vijayan said 3 cases are from Kannur, 6 from Kasargod, and 3 are from Ernakulum. All of them returned from the Gulf countries.
WB Shuts Interstate Buses
The government of West Bengal's Transport Department has suspended all inter-state bus services from March 22 till March 31. Buses from the neighbouring states will not be allowed to enter West Bengal till March 31.
The state follows examples of Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab who have also stopped inter-state travel.
HRD ministry tells educational institutions to allow students still in hostels to stay put. This comes after many colleges have been requesting students to leave in lieu of cancelling classes and exams due to COVID-19.
Prime Minister Modi requested people to listen and follow the advise of doctors during the COVIF-19 times.
This is the time we should all listen to the advise given by doctors and authorities.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 21, 2020
All those who have been told to stay in home quarantine, I urge you to please follow the instructions.
This will protect you as well as your friends and family. #IndiaFightsCorona
BMC Warns Travellers To Carry Out Home Quarantine Effectively
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has asked travellers who have returned from abroad to effectively carry out the home-quarantine. If the travellers fail to follow this, further action will be taken against them.
The Mumbai airport is stamping travellers with a necessary 7-14 day self quarantine stamp.
If you are advised Home Quarantine
— माझी Mumbai, आपली BMC (@mybmc) March 21, 2020
1️⃣ Stay Home
2️⃣ Found roaming around
▶️ Will be CAUGHT & be forcefully quarantined for 14 days at our place
▶️ May be JAILED for causing panic & risking lives of others
Others: Call 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ to report those spotted roaming around#NaToCorona https://t.co/ITztH59qm7 pic.twitter.com/H8r4NfTAg2
Vasundhara Raje Tests Negative
Former Chief Minister of Rajasthan, BJP MP Vasundhara Raje tested negative for COVID-19. She along with other members of the party was at a gathering attended by Kanika Kapoor, the Bollywood singer who tested positive for the virus.
After conducting a #Covid19 test, I’m happy to inform you that the results came back negative. However, as a preventive measure, my son and I will continue to be in isolation for 15 days.
— Vasundhara Raje (@VasundharaBJP) March 21, 2020
Odisha Announces Lockdown
Odisha announces a week-long lockdown for 40 per cent of the state starting tomorrow. This will include state capital Bhubaneswar, twin city Cuttack and important industrial townships.
India's Cases Rise By 25 In 8 Hours
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reported 283 positive cases of COVID-19 in the country as of 5 PM on March 21, 2020. Within 8 hours, the country has seen 25 new cases, 11 of which are from Maharshtra and 10 are from Punjab.
'Janata Curfew' Not A Precursor To Lockdown:MOHFW
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in a press conference suggested that the Janata Curfew is not a precursor to lockdown.
The joint secretary also responded that the voluntary curfew is a precautionary measure towards the spread of the virus, and whether the spread is contained will be decided after this voluntary curfew.
US, Canada Citizens To Not Face Issues At EU, UK Airports: MEA
The Ministry of External Affairs stated that Indian nationals returning from North and South America will not face issues of flying to India as flights from European countries was shut from March 18, 2020.
The MEA is going to be discussing these issues with the various international flights.