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

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.

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

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 21, 2020

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. 

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. 

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.