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‘No International Flights For One Week’: Centre Issues Fresh Corona Guidelines

PK Web Desk
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‘No International Flights For One Week’: Centre Issues Fresh Corona Guidelines

New Delhi: Amid mounting concerns over the spread of novel coronavirus in the country, the Union government on Thursday issued a set of fresh guidelines and said no international flights would be allowed to land in India for the next one week.

“No international commercial passenger aircraft shall be allowed to land in India from March 22 for one week,” the advisory issued by the health ministry said.

It directed the state governments to issue appropriate directions advising people above the age of 65 and children below 10 to remain at home.

“State governments shall issue appropriate directions so that all citizens above 65 (other than for medical assistance) except for public representatives/govt. Servants/medical professionals are advised to remain at home. Similarly all children below 10 should be advised to stay at home and not to venture out,” it said.

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The advisory urged Railways and civil aviation to suspend all concessional travel except for students, patients and divyang category.

“States are being requested to to enforce work from home for private sector employees except those working in emergency/essential services,” it said.

The advisory further said that all Group B and C level Central government employees would be asked to attend offices on alternate week to reduce crowding.

The health ministry issued the fresh guidelines on a day when India reported its fourth coronavirus-related death in Punjab. The 72-year-old man, who had returned from Germany via Italy a fortnight ago, was admitted to a hospital after severe chest pain and was found to be positive for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the total number of coronavirus cases in India reached 169 after 18 fresh cases were reported from various parts of the country on Thursday. Chhattisgarh and Chandigarh reported their first COVID 19 case on Thursday.

The total tally of 169 include 25 foreign nationals—17 from Italy, 3 from the Philippines, two from the UK, one each belonging to Canada, Indonesia and Singapore.

The figure also includes four deaths reported from Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Punjab so far.

Given the gravity of the situation, most of the states and UTs have imposed restrictions, inching towards partial shutdown in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus.

Death toll in India rises to 4

United News Of India
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Death toll in India rises to 4

New Delhi: A 72-year-old man from Punjab becomes the fourth casualty of coronavirus in India. The patient had a history of travelling to Germany via Italy, confirmed a senior official. This is the first death reported from Punjab.

The patient was suffering from diabetes and hypertension. On Wednesday, he passed away at the Banga community health centre after having severe chest pain. The sample of the deceased person has tested positive for novel coronavirus, said health ministry.

The first casualty of coronavirus infection was reported from Karnataka. The second patient was a 68-year-old woman in the national capital who died at Delhi’s Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital last week. Third patient with COVID-19 infection passed away in Mumbai’s Kasturba hospital this week.

The total number of coronavirus cases in the country surged to 169 today. With nearly 50 cases reported from the state, Maharashtra is severely affected by COVID-19 infection.

A 23-year-old girl, with a travel history to the United Kingdom, has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in Chandigarh today. Punjab has recorded three COVID-19 cases so far.

As the virus continued to spread, Centre and state governments scaled efforts to prevent spread. India temporarily banned entry of passengers from 36 countries in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Passengers travelling from 11 countries will be quarantined, home ministry said.

Central government employees have been asked to work from home till April 4. According to an order issued by the Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions today, heads of department (HoDs) have been asked to ensure that 50% of Group B and C employees are required to attend office every day, and the remaining 50% staff should be instructed to work from home.

In the wake of coronavirus scare, Punjab government announces suspension of public transport services from Friday midnight. The state government also restricts public gatherings to less than 20 people.

Kashmir valley headed towards a virtual lockdown with the administration banning all public transport in Srinagar city. Authorities restrict movement of people in several parts of Jammu & Kashmir.

Indian Railways decided to suspend all concessional tickets except for patients, students and those in the Divyangjan category from Friday to discourage unnecessary travel.

COVID-19: Preparedness for tackling threat and containing spread reviewed after surfacing of positive case in Srinagar

Precious Kashmir
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COVID-19: Preparedness for tackling threat and containing spread reviewed after surfacing of positive case in Srinagar

SRINAGAR: Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary Thursday convened a high-level meeting with senior health and other officials to review the preparedness for tackling the threat from coronavirus and containing its spread after a positive case surfaced in the district.
Director National Health Mission Bhupinder Kumar, Director Health Services Kashmir Dr Sameer Mattoo, Principal GMC Srinagar Dr Samia Rasheed, Principal SKIMS Medical College Dr Riyaz Untoo and CMO Srinagar Dr Talat Jabeen were all present in the meeting.
The meeting reviewed the preparedness of the health department and the action plan it has devised to deal with this challenging health situation.
The main focus of discussions held during the meeting was the importance of well-managed quarantining – as per relevant global standard operating procedure in the matter – in the district.
The meeting discussed the facilities – medical as well as general – that need to be made available at quarantine facilities set up in the district for shifting of suspected cases. Instructions were issued for immediate equipment of all quarantine centres with all facilities as identified during the meeting. It was informed that 20 quarantine facilities have been established in the district for shifting of suspected cases of required.
Doctors present in the meeting all emphasised high state of alert in all health institutions and amongst the general public as far as precautions are concerned while stressing the importance of not panicking or overreacting and dealing with the situation as per recommended guidelines and operating procedures.
Health officials and others assigned to quarantine facilities were sensitised about do’s and don’ts during the meeting. It was said that keeping a constant watch on cases and immediate reporting and shifting of those who might develop symptoms is of critical importance.
Director NHM Bhupinder Kumar while speaking on the occasion and emphasising the importance of adhering to all guidelines stressed the significance of understanding and remembering that those put in quarantine are not positive cases having been put thereunder as a matter of caution adding that over-reaction and over-caution in the matter can result in undue issues.
Other health officials and doctors present in the meeting also spoke on the occasion highlighting the importance of proper sanitisation and disinfection measures in communities in general and quarantine facilities in particular.It was suggested that social distancing and self-quarantining were the best in a situation like this. Residents were urged to cooperate with the administration and be well-informed about all precautions that need following to prevent contraction and spread of the infection.Joint Commissioner SMC, SP Hq. Srinagar, SP Traffic City, SEs R&B, PDD and PHE, ADC Srinagar, SDMs East and West, ACR Srinagar and all Tehsildars also attended the meeting.

SMC teams sanitize native area of Coronavirus patient

Precious Kashmir
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SMC teams sanitize native area of Coronavirus patient

Srinagar, Mar 19, : Mayor Srinagar Municipal Corporation dispatched dozens of teams to native area of Coronavirus infected patient to sanitize it.
The teams were led by Enforcement Officer Nisar Ahmed Azad, concerned Ward Officer Bashir Ahmed Sheikh and local Corporator Gulshan Aabro.
Pertinently, a 67 year old elderly woman from Khayam, Khanyar area of Srinagar city was tested positive on Wednesday evening. She had gone to Saudi Arabia for Umrah and before arriving at her native place, she stayed at a couple of places in India including Kochi, and New Delhi.
“Dozens of teams arrived in Khayam, Muniwarabad and adjacent areas and completely sanitized these areas. The team use disinfectants in large quantity to ensure the lethal Coronavirus doesn’t get spread,” Bashir Ahmed Said.
Earlier, teams of doctors visited these areas and collected details of the people who were in contact with the infected woman.
Meanwhile, SMC Mayor Junaid Azam Matuu held a detailed meeting with different preachers and Imams to create awareness among people about Coronavirus.
Dr Latif Alkandi from Jamiat Ahalhadit declared in the meeting the till March 31 Jamiat Ahilhadith will not offer Friday congregational prayers in their mosques. (KNT)

COVID-19:Students at Srinagar airport protest against quarantine

Precious Kashmir
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Srinagar: A few students arriving here from Bangladesh protested at Srinagar International Airport on Thursday when they were directed to quarantine facilities, sources said.
As per the directions of the District Magistrate Budgam, these students were to be quarantined as a precautionary measure against coronavirus (COVID-19).
Sources said the medical authorities at Srinagar International Airport requested these students to cooperate for the quarantine process to which they did not agree and started a protest, breaking window/glass panes of Srinagar International Airport arrival area.
The parents of these students also started a protest outside arrival terminal of the airport. Airport officials and CISF then were called by the local police. The police party along with a magistrate reached the spot and tried to pacify the protesters, but the protests continued.
The police on the directions of the Magistrate dispersed the protesters, sources added.
The police have taken cognizance of the incident.
The students were later sent for quarantine at pre-designated locations by the district administration.
Meanwhile, Two Kashmiri students returning from Bangladesh walked out of the airport on Thursday morning without undergoing the mandatory screening for the Covid-19 infection.
According to reports, two female MBBS students enrolled at Dhaka Medical College arrived with 30 other students at the Srinagar airport by an Indigo flight from Kolkata. All the students were kept at the arrival lounge with 250 other travellers who had flown in from different parts of the country.

KAS Association demands proper screening facility in Govt offices

Precious Kashmir
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Srinagar, Mar 19: The KAS association of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday wrote a letter to Chief Secretary and demanded proper screening in every government office gates and besides deferring of meetings in the civil secretariat.The letter issued by General Secretary reads in view of prevailing situation created due to the spread of Covid 19 coronavirus declared as pandemic by the WHO, various states/UTs of the country have already some extraordinary measures to check the pandemic. keeping in view of venerability of the officer/officials of civil secretariat and those working in the field, following preventive measures are suggested for consideration.Proper medical screening as per the advisory of WHO, of incoming officers/officials of the gate of the civil secretariat, and at the main gate of every government office of J&K.Postponement of meetings in civil secretariat and field officers till the coronavirus scare abites. Holding of meetings through video conferencing may be explored.the present stage of the pandemic (stage II) demands more stringent measures to be taken to contain its further exponential spread.KNS

Chief Secretary chairs 6th Executive Council meeting of JKRLM

Precious Kashmir
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JAMMU, MARCH 19: Chief Secretary, B. V. R. Subrahmanyam today chaired 6th Executive Council meeting of Jammu & Kashmir Rural Livelihood Mission (JKRLM).
Financial Commissioner Finance, Principal Secretary, Animal & Sheep Husbandry, Principal Secretary, Planning, Commissioner Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Secretary Horticulture, Secretary, Rural Development, Higher Education, Mission Directors JKRLM, HIMAYAT and other senior officers participated in the meeting.
During the meeting, various important issues pertaining to the implementation and operation of the scheme viz. include Human Resource hiring under the scheme, Action Plan for 2020-21, financial inclusion of Self Help Groups (SHGs), extension of Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP) and others were discussed in detail.
Secretary Rural Development gave a brief about the Action Plan for 2020-21 and activities proposed to be undertaken. With regard to release of funds from GoI, it was decided that the matter be taken up with concerned Ministry for expediting special funding package.
Chief Secretary emphasized on engaging SHGs into gainful livelihoods interventions to ensure appreciable improvement in their income on a sustainable basis. He stressed to focus on convergence with the line departments for availing benefits from all existing Government schemes.
Chief Secretary further asked for strengthening fund flow mechanism to the community based organizations besides, focus on formation of SHGs for reaching out to the needy. He asked to assess existing manpower working in the Mission and to take steps for rationalization of human resource for their optimum utilization.
With regard to HIMAYAT scheme, hiring of professionals at district level through outsourcing mode for the programme was approved besides; various other issues related to the scheme to achieve the targets through vigorous outreach were also discussed in the meeting.

Three tourists including Italian couple sent back, Russian citizen to leave tomorrow

Precious Kashmir
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Three tourists including Italian couple sent back, Russian citizen to leave tomorrow

Srinagar: Government of Jammu and Kashmir Thursday deported Italian couple and a citizen from United States of America. The ticket for remaining tourist from Russia is in transit and they are likely to be deported on Friday.
Pertinently, despite ban on foreign tourists from entering Kashmir, the Government Wednesday allowed the entry of at least four foreign tourists including a couple from Italy into Kashmir Valley. The entry of foreign tourists has been banned in Jammu and Kashmir as a precautionary measure to slow the spread of novel Coronavirus.
The order to ban the entry of foreign tourists was recently issued by Baseer Khan, the Adviser to the Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chanra Marmu.
A top official from the Government told that among the four tourists, three were sent back on Thursday while the fourth one is leaving Kashmir on Friday. The official admitted that there was laxity on part of the authorities who allowed entry of these tourists.
Official added that these tourists including the Italian couple were kept under vigil and on Thursday they were directed to leave from Kashmir. He said that an inquiry has already been ordered to find out how these tourists entered into Kashmir. (KNT)

JKPCC Scam:Crime Branch Raids Delhi House Of Ex-MD JKPCC

Jahangeer Ganaie
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Srinagar, Mar 19 : Doctors and n health workers working at Shri Maharaja Hari Singh(SMHS) hospital Srinagar on Thursday alleged that authorities have failed to provide them personal protection equipment.
A senior doctor at SMHS hospital told wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that even though there positive cases of covid-19 in valley but authorities are yet to provide personal protection equipment including N95 masks, hand sanitizers, gloves, eye shields and gowns to doctors and other para medical staff.
They said that despite the fact that they are vulnerable to all kinds of infections as they deal with hundreds of patients every day but response of authorities is totally pathetic.
“When authorities can’t provide us with a few masks how can we deal with patients with high viral loads and Covid-19 symptoms,” he said. A worker posted in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of SMHS said that they are the first contacts, but they lack the basic facilities like mask, hand sanitizers, gowns etc.
“We appealed higher authorities several times about the issue but they have failed to provide us with these essential equipment at a time when medical emergency has been declared,” he said.
“We are most vulnerable to the pandemic and if authorities will not take care of us, how will we take care of patients.”
Talking to—KNO, Medical Superintendent of SMHS hospital Dr Nazir Choudhary they have provided all the necessary equipment to all employees including doctors.
Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr Samir Matoo also said that there is sufficient availability of personal protection equipment’s in health services. “We are fully prepared to deal with Coronavirus pandemic,” he claimed—(KNO)

Coronavirus: Amnesty International seeks 4G restoration in Kashmir

Precious Kashmir
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Srinagar, Mar 19 : In the wake of Coronovirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Government of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir must restore full access to internet services in the region of Jammu and Kashmir and ensure that people have full access to health and safety-related information, said Amnesty International India today.

“With 219,217 confirmed cases of Coronovirus, 8,965 deaths and at least 85,742 people having recovered as on 19 March 2020, the world faces one of the greatest pandemic threat of our generation so far,” said Amnesty International India in a statement.

“As on 19 March (9:00 AM), the Government of India has reported 166 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country. Of these, four cases have been confirmed by the Government in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Despite the rising number of cases, on 17 March 2020, the Government of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir ordered for the continued restrictions on full internet services such as restricting the speed to 2G in the region. Complete internet shutdowns have also been imposed intermittently in certain areas in the guise of security. To contain the spread of the virus, the Government also ordered for the shutdown of all educational institutions, public parks, hotels, restaurants and other restrictions on public gatherings,” said Amnesty International India. “There is growing anxiety around the pandemic and unwarranted restrictions on content and dissemination of information only stands to add to the panic. Complete shutdowns or restricting of internet speed or access makes it difficult for people to navigate their way through a difficult time further undermining their trust in the authorities. The Government of India needs to adopt a rights-respecting approach to protect public health and restore access to 4G speed internet,” said Avinash Kumar, Executive Director, Amnesty International India in a statement.

He said that the human rights approach must be at the centre of all prevention, preparedness, containment, and treatment efforts to protect public health and support the most vulnerable groups. The right to health, as guaranteed under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, provides for the right to access healthcare.

“Access to health-related information is also a crucial part of the right to health. Providing “education and access to information concerning the main health problems in the community, including methods of preventing and controlling them” is considered an “obligation of comparable priority” to the core obligations of the right to health. The latest Situation Report issued by the World Health Organization on 17 March 2020 recommended that that the public must be informed of the situation so that they can take appropriate measures to protect yourself and your family. It further advised that anxiety around the outbreak can be countered by access to facts from reliable sources that help accurately determine risks so that reasonable precautions.KNT

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