Breaking News April 20

India has removed import duty on remdesivir, an anti-viral drug which is currently used to treat Covid-19 patients. 

Night curfew to be imposed in Karnataka from 9pm on 21st April to 6am of 4th May

1. We are facing the second wave of COVID19 now. I understand the pain you are going through and express my sympathies to the families who have lost their loved ones due to COVID, says PM Modi
2. The challenge before is big but we have to overcome it with our resolve, courage and preparation, says PM Modi during an address to the nation on COVID19 situation
3. The demand for oxygen has increased in many parts of the country. The Centre, state govt, private sector are trying to make oxygen available to all those who are in need of it. Many steps are being taken in this direction, says PM
4. Work is on to increase the number of beds in hospitals. In some cities, large COVID19 dedicated hospitals are being built: PM Modi during an address to the nation on the COVID19 situation
5. India with two 'made in India' vaccines started the world's largest vaccination program. Till now, more than 12 crore vaccine doses have been administered. From 1st May, those above the age of 18 years can be vaccinated, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi
6. I request State governments to urge the workers to stay where they are. This trust given by the states to the workers will help them, and that they will be vaccinated in the city where they are, says PM Modi
7. I urge the States to consider lockdowns only as the last option and focus creating on micro containment zones, says PM Narendra Modi

PM Modi to address the nation on COVID-19 situation at 8:45 PM 

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang said that all educational institutions in the state will remain closed till April 30 to curb the spread of COVID-19 cases.

In most hospitals in Delhi, oxygen is available for the next 8 to 12 hours only. We have been demanding for one week to increase the oxygen supply quota to Delhi, which the central government has to do: Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia

India is among the guest countries invited to join parts of the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ meeting to be hosted by the UK next month, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said on Tuesday.

The meeting in London will be the first in-person summit of the foreign ministers of the Group of Seven countries – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, US and UK as well as the European Union (EU) and will be held in what has been dubbed a COVID-secure way between May 3 and 5.

Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, the Chandigarh administration has announced a one-day lockdown in the city on Ram Navami on Wednesday (April 21).

All Indian Army recruitment rallies in North-East states and Common Entrance Exam scheduled for 25th April postponed till further orders

Johnson & Johnson Cares submits an application to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) requesting approval to conduct a bridging clinical study of single-dose Janssen COVID-19 vaccine candidate in India to comply with local regulations

Amid an exponential rise in Covid-19 cases, Jharkhand will be placed under lockdown from April 22, Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced on Tuesday. The restrictions will remain in place from 6 am April 22 till 6 am April 29. READ MORE

15000 Remdesivir injections reach MP's Indore

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal tests covid 19 positive. The CM has also gone into quarantine. 

Weekend lockdown in Uttar Pradesh from April 23

Telangana reports 5,926 news cases and 18 new deaths

COVID-19: Delhi's deputy CM Manish Sisodia address media | LIVE

Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra who took charge as the 24th CEC after the retirement of Sunil Arora, has tested positive for coronavirus along with Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar.

Amidst rising coronavirus cases, ICSE has canceled its 10th board exams, while the 12th board exams will go as planned. 

Amidst the rising covid 19 cases in West Bengal, after TMC, BJP has also announced that it will not hold mega rallies in the state. Now, rallies will not include more than 500 people. 

CM Kejriwal announced a week-long lockdown on Monday and urged migrants to stay put during this period. Nevertheless, migrants were seen heading home from Delhi.

Amid the rise in the number of Covid-positive patients, the authorities in Patna have directed that non-essential shops will remain open only three days a week. 

One day after 6-day lockdown was imposed in Delhi, huge crowds were spotted around Daryaganj vegetable market. CM Arvind Kejriwal on Monday announced the lockdown in an attempt to curb the covid 19 second wave surge in Delhi.

The Delhi government on Monday advanced summer vacation in all schools of the national capital in view of the spiraling COVID-19 cases. The vacation, which was to start from May 11 and continue till June 30, has now been rescheduled from April 20 to June 9.

"In view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic situation, the summer vacation has now been rescheduled and will be observed from April 20 to June 9," the Directorate of Education (DoE) said in an order.

Maharashtra: Devotees offer prayers outside Mumba Devi Temple in Mumbai on Ashtami

Delhi: Migrant workers continue to leave for their hometown as the 6-day lockdown in the national capital comes into effect

Former US vice president Walter Mondale died on Monday at age 93, Axios reported, citing a family spokesperson

Entry for New Delhi & Chandni Chowk (station) has been temporarily closed to ensure social distancing as part of crowd control measures. Exit is allowed: Delhi Metro Rail Corporation

Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma tests positive for COVID-19; admitted to Apollo Hospital

Maharashtra: Fire broke out near Solapur Airport

No permission will be given for weddings as there's a higher risk of COVID-19 transmission. People are requested to postpone their weddings and stay home till April 30. This will help us reduce numbers as hospitals' capacity is full now: Manish Singh, Indore DM

Amid a surge in COVID cases (in India), travellers should avoid all travel to India. Even fully vaccinated travellers may be at risk for getting & spreading variants and should avoid all travel to India. If you must travel to India, get fully vaccinated before travel: CDC, USA

Vadodara's Jahangirpura Masjid converted into a 50-bed COVID facility