Coronavirus LIVE Update: India's Cases Rise To 59,92,532; 94,503 Dead

Shirdi Sai Baba Trust Asks Visitors To No Visit Temple

Following the Mahrashtra government's order that major temples ask their devotees to stop visiting temples, the Shirdi Sai Baba temple trust has devotees to not visit the temple in the upcoming days.

New Travel Advisory Stops Travel From Afghanistan, Philippines And Malaysia

On March 17, 2020 The Ministry of External Affairs issued a new travel advisory stopping all flights from Afghanistan, Philippines, and Malaysia with immediate effect. No flights for India will take off from these three countries from 3 pm on March 17, 2020. 

MOHFW Confirms 126th Case

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare confirmed one more positive case taking India's count of positive cases to 126. 

Maharashtra Records First Death

A 64-year-old with travel history to Dubai admitted to Kasturba hospital in Mumbai is Maharashtra's first casualty due to COVID-19. He had other co-morbidities. He was earlier admitted to Hinduja hospital. His wife and son have also tested positive for COVID-19. 

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare confirmed the death that raises the death toll in the country to 3. 

India's Cases Rise To 125

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has reported the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in India is now 125 on March 17, 2020. From these 103 are Indians and 22 are foreign nationals.

One can view the state-wise breakup below:

Source - MoHFW

Maharashtra Govt Asks Temples To Be Closed

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in a press conference on March 16, 2020 requested all the religious places, temples, churches & mosque to shut down entry for devotees for next few days as a part of precautions. Siddhivinayak Temple and Tulja Bhavani temple had already declarded closure, but after his appeal even Mahalakshmi temple and Babulnath temple in Mumbai closed with immediate effect. 

He appealed to people to avoid public places & also avoid commute by trains & buses unless absolutely necessary. He further stated that the government had not decided to close the railway or bus services, not yet decided to close hotels. The government has decided to close all malls.

He also asked people to avoid gatherings or melas in rural areas, pilgrimages, weddings or political events.

BMC Asks Mumbai Offices To Work With 50% Attendance

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) released an advisory asking all non essential services offering offices to work with 50% of its attendance along with mentioning the exceptions to this rule. 

The circular issued by Commissioner Praveen Pardeshi also mentions that the corporation is restricting vehicular movement around Kasturba, KEM, and Seven Hills Hospitals.

Pardeshi also requested people to not gather in large masses at sea beaches and public spaces.

Karan Johar's Dharma Suspends Productions

Bollywood Filmmaker Karan Johar's Dharma Productions on March 16, 2020, announced that they have suspended all administrative and production work in view of the COVID-19 outbreak. 

MoHFW Issues Social Distancing Advisory And Proposes Closing Schools And Colleges

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued an advisory on March 16, 2020, that emphasised on social distancing and proposed closure of all educational establishments (schools, universities etc), gyms, museums, cultural and social centres, swimming pools and theatres. 

The advisory which includes 15 proposed interventions also advises students to stay at home and online education to be promoted. The ministry also encouraged private sector organizations/employers to allow employees to work from home wherever feasible.

Read it here 

Two Hour Work Day In Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court and its benches at Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Goa shall function for only two hours in a day from March 17, 2020, between 12 and 2 pm until further orders. The Bombay HC issued the circular in the wake of COVID-19 outbreakHigh