March 27, 2020 | Number of cases: 724 | Number of deaths: 17
The cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba has called for states to track 15 lakh international travellers who arrived in the country between the start of the outbreak and the ban on international flights into the country which came into effect on March 22. The official wrote to the states and union territories noting that there has been a gap in monitoring based on the total number of travellers who arrived in the country and those who are being monitored for COVID-19. Such gaps could jeopardise efforts to contain the spread of the virus as many individuals among those who tested positive had a history of travel to affected nations.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has asked state governments to make necessary arrangements for stay and food for migrant workers in order to prevent mass movement of the workers during the lockdown. Reports have come from across the country of the hardships faced by stranded migrant workers in the face of the lockdown. The workers have lost jobs and without their daily wages have been unable to secure food or stay. Many of them have taken to walking hundreds of kilometres to reach their hometowns.
The Reserve Bank of India provided relief to borrowers with a three month moratorium on loan repayment. This move allows citizens to not pay EMI for three months on their loans. The demand for such relief had come from all quarters as many individuals faced job losses, pay cuts and closure of businesses. The move will apply for borrowings from banks, non-bank financial corporations and microfinance companies. The suspension of EMI will not affect the credit history of the borrowers.
Odisha announced the setting up of two dedicated hospitals for COVID-19.The hospitals will have 500 beds each and are being set up as a public private partnership with Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital. The state has so far reported three positive cases, but is readying the infrastructure for when the situation could get worse. The hospitals are funded through the CSR funds of the Orissa Mining Corporation and Mahanadi Coal Limited.
Last updated, March 27th, 6:30 pm
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