NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday termed the coronavirus as “invisible enemy” and called India’s corona warriors as “invincible” asserting that they will win the battle against the virus. He said that violence against healthcare personnel and rude behaviour towards them are not acceptable, noting that such incidents are a result of “mob mentality”. India’s Covid-19 tally reached 1,90,535 as the country witnessed its highest-ever spike of 8,392 cases, while the death toll climbed to 5.394.
Here are the top developments:
1
India
- The world must unite and focus on “humanity-centric” aspects of development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, noting that advancements nations make in the health sector will matter more than ever as countries battle the Covid-19 pandemic.
- The government on Monday limited its export ban on alcohol-based hand sanitisers only to those in containers with dispenser pumps. The directorate general of foreign trade said alcohol-based hand sanitisers in any other form or packaging are free for exports with immediate effect.
- Tourists and others hiring cabs and motorcycles for self-driving will not be required to carry badges if they are holding a domestic driving licence or an international driving permit, the government said.
- Aviation regulator DGCA asked airlines to keep middle seats vacant to the extent possible in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. However, if a flyer has been allotted the middle seat due to a high passenger load “then additional protective equipment like wrap-around gown must be provided to him or her in addition to a three-layered face mask and face shield, said the DGCA order.
- After almost two months of lying unutilised, the railways’ first Covid-19 care centre consisting of 10 modified coaches with 160 beds has been deployed in Delhi, officials said.
- Guidelines allowing opening of religious pla