Punjab, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh impose stricter curbs amid Covid surge: Key points

NEW DELHI: The Covid-19 situation continues to be grim in India with 3,52,991 people testing positive and a record 2,812 deaths reported on Monday.
In the seven days between April 18 and April 25, India reported 22.49 lakh cases, which is the highest number of cases reported by any country in any seven-day period since the beginning of the pandemic.

Several states imposed stricter restrictions to stop the Covid-19 spread.The government also appealed to people not to panic over current Covid-19 situation, saying unnecessary panic causing more harm than good.
PM Modi reviews preparations by Armed Forces to assist in Covid management
The Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat briefed PM that all medical personnel from armed forces who have retired or taken pre-mature retirement in the last 2 years are being recalled to work in Covid facilities within proximity of their present place of residence, said a release issued by the Prime Minister Office (PMO).

"Other medical officers who retired earlier have also been requested to make their services available for consultation through medical emergency help lines."
"All medical officers on staff appointments at Command HQ, Corps HQ, Division HQ & similar HQ of Navy and Air-Force will be employed at hospitals," the PMO release said.
Punajab govt announces night curfew from 6pm to 5am
In a bid to tackle the coronavirus spread, the Punjab government has ordered the closure of shops by 5 pm and extended the night curfew by two hours.
"All shops will remain open till 5 pm," said Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar addressing mediapersons after a cabinet meeting here on Monday.

He said the night curfew will now be imposed from 6 pm in the state. Presently, the curfew restrictions remain in place from 8 pm to 5 am daily.
Implement intensive, local, containment framework to prevent Covid spread: MHA to states
With India reeling under an unprecedented Covid crisis, the Centre on Monday issued a detailed containment plan for states to curb the rapid spread of infections in badly-hit areas. In a letter to all states/UTs, Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla said there is an urgent need to consider strict Covid management and control measures in the surge areas to bring the situation under control.

He said that all states and Union Territories must implement an intensive, local and focused containment framework, stressing on specific districts and areas to snap the chain of transmission.
The guidelines stated that where there are clusters of cases, quarantining individuals or families will not help.
'Wear masks even inside your homes': Govt tells citizens
The Centre on Monday appealed to people not to panic over current Covid-19 situation, saying unnecessary panic causing more harm than good. Addressing a press conference, the Union health ministry said Maharashtra, UP, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu have more than one lakh active Covid cases.
The government stressed on judicious use of oxygen and said many people are found to be occupying hospital beds out of panic and urged citizens to only take admission only on doctors' advice.
"India has enough oxygen stock, issue is its transportation. Absolutely no need to panic for oxygen as we are trying to resolve issue of its transportation," the government said amid surge in demand.
Karnataka govt announces state wide lockdown for 14 days from Tuesday
The Karnataka government on Monday announced more restrictions in what it termed as a 'close down' across the state for 14 days from Tuesday night in a bid to control the huge spike in Covid-19 cases in the state.

The state cabinet led by Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa also decided to provide Covid-19 vaccinations free of cost at government hospitals for those between 18-44 years of age.
"Strict measures to control Covid will be taken. From tomorrow night till the next 14 days, there will be a close down for the whole state," Yediyurappa said.
Kerala imposes stricter curbs; theatres, malls, gyms to remain shut
An all-party meeting held today has decided not to impose a complete lockdown in the state for time being; curbs in containment zones will be strictly enforced; lockdown like restrictions on weekends will continue; shops will be allowed to operate only till 7:30pm. Strict restrictions will be in place on the counting day, May 2.
The practical exams for HSE and VHSE have also been postponed. The state has meanwhile revised guidelines for discharge of Covid-19 patients. Kerala logged its highest single day spike with 28,469 new Covid cases on Sunday. The test positivity rate is at 22.46. Yesterday 1,94,427 persons were vaccinated.
Tamil Nadu to allow Sterlite to produce oxygen, bar on operating other units
An all-party meeting convened by the Tamil Nadu government on Monday resolved to allow Vedanta's Sterlite Industries in Tuticorin to produce oxygen for a four-month period amid surging covid cases, paving the way for the partial reopening of the copper smelter closed in 2018 over pollution concerns.
The unit was sealed by the state government in May 2018, days after 13 agitators were killed in police firing during a violent anti-Sterlite protest in the southern district.
On Monday, the Chief Minister K Palaniswami-chaired meeting, attended by main opposition party DMK among others, resolved to allow Sterlite produce oxygen from its plant in Tuticorin, days after Vedanta moved the Supreme Court in this connection.
Oxygen Expresses to cross cumulative 450 M tonnes of Oxygen delivery by tomorrow morning: Govt
Since the first train of empty tankers left for Vizag from Mumbai Region just a few days back, Indian Railways has transported more than 302 MT of Oxygen safely & securely to various states. Another 154 MT liquid medical oxygen is on its way.
One Oxygen Express train carrying 4 tankers is expected to reach Delhi from Raigarh (Chhattisgarh) tomorrow early morning, Railways said in a statement.
For the residents of Maharashtra, a train carrying 44 MT (in 3 tankers) has reached Kalamboli (near Mumbai) from Hapa (Rajkot, Gujarat) today.
Steel plants cut liquid oxygen storage to boost supply
Steel plants have reduced their oxygen stock to just half a day from 3.5 days earlier to fulfil the shortage of the life-saving gas being used in the treatment of Covid-19 patients, an official statement said on Monday.
"The plants are normally required to keep 3.5 days of safety stock of LMO (liquid medical oxygen) in their storage tanks. Through continuous engagement with the steel producers, the stock has been reduced to 0.5 days because of which LMO supply has significantly increased," the Ministry of Steel said in the statement.
Andhra Pradesh orders closure of gyms, swimming pools, sports complexes
The Andhra Pradesh government on Monday ordered temporary closure of sports complexes, gyms, swimming pools and spas in the state.
Addressing a press conference, Anil Kumar Singhal, principal secretary (medical and health) said all public transport vehicles and movie theatres should operate with only 50 per cent capacity and any gathering should not exceed 50 people.
Even those 50 people should adhere to Covid-19 norms like wearing masks and maintaining physical distance, the official said.
All offices including government ones should ensure that there is five feet distance between any two employees.