Govt Caps Domestic Air Fare Till August; India’s Tally at 1,12,359
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Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Thursday, 21 May announced new guidelines for domestic air travel that will resume from 25 May and said that the fares of tickets will be in a specific range as decided by the ministry.
Earlier, the Airports Authority of India too issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) for airports and passengers for recommencement of domestic flights.
With a spike of 5,609 COVID-19 cases and 132 deaths in the last 24 hours, total number of cases in the country on Thursday are at 1,12,359, including 63,624 active cases and 3,435 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
- Within two hours of online booking opening, 1,49 lakh tickets booked on Thursday, for the first set of 73 special passenger trains that will be run from 1 June
- United States coronavirus deaths increased by 1,561 in 24 hours,” reports AFP news agency quoting the Johns Hopkins University tracker
- Global coronavirus cases surpassed 5 million on Wednesday, with Latin America overtaking the United States and Europe in the past week to report the largest portion of new daily cases worldwide
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US Records 1,561 Deaths in 24 Hours
“United States coronavirus deaths increased by 1,561 in 24 hours,” reports AFP news agency quoting the Johns Hopkins University tracker.
UP's Barabanki Reports 95 Positive Cases
“95 new coronavirus positive cases reported in Barabanki taking the total number of positive cases in the district to 124 including 122 active cases and 2 cured/discharged,” said District Magistrate Barabanki, reports ANI.
5,601 Cases Reported; India's Tally Rises to 1,12,359
Spike of 5,609 COVID-19 cases and 132 deaths in the last 24 hours. Total number of cases in the country now at 1,12,359, including 63,624 active cases and 3,435 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Rajasthan Records 83 Fresh COVID-19 Cases
"Eighty-three more COVID-19 cases and three deaths reported in Rajasthan today, as of 9 am. Total number of cases in the state is now at 6,098, including 2,527 active cases and 150 deaths,” the State Health Department said, reports ANI.
AAI Issues SOPs for Domestic Flights, Aarogya App Mandatory for Passengers
Airports Authority of India (AAI) has issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to all its airports for recommencement of domestic commercial flight operations from 25 May. All passengers must compulsorily be registered with the Aarogya Setu app on their phones as per the SOP.
Long Queues Outside Liqour Shops in J&K Following Relaxations in Lockdown
Jammu and Kashmir, people form long queue outside a liquor shop in Jammu which opened following relaxations in corona lockdown. Jammu and Kashmir administration has permitted the opening of liquor shops in the entire union territory.
45 More Cases in Andhra Pradesh in Past 24 Hrs
"Forty-five more COVID-19 cases reported in Andhra Pradesh in the last 24 hours. Total number of cases in the state is now at 2,452, including 718 active cases and 54 deaths,” the State's COVID19 Control Room said, reports ANI.
Migrants Can't Be Blamed in Rising COVID-19 Cases: MP CM
“Returning migrants our brethren, will welcome them to state with open heart,” Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan to PTI
“Migrant workers cannot be blamed for increase in cases of coronavirus:,” he added.
116 Fresh Cases in Karnataka; Tally at 1,568
“One hundred and sixteen new COVID-19 positive cases reported in Karnataka (from 5 PM yesterday to 12 PM today), 14 people discharged during this period. Total positive cases in the state rises to 1,568, total deaths stand at 41 and a total of 570 people have been discharged so far,” the government of Karnataka said, reports ANI.
Odisha: 1,103 Total COVID-19 Cases
Total number of positive cases of COVID-19 stands at 1,103 in Odisha, including 753 active cases, 343 cured/recovered and seven fatalities,” said State Health Department, reports ANI.
Shops to Open in UP's Gautam Buddh Nagar on Odd-Even Basis
The Gautam Buddh Nagar district administration in Noida has said that shops will be allowed to open in the district on an odd-even basis with strict social distancing norms.
However, shops in rural areas do not have to follow any odd-even formula as these will be allowed to operate daily, reports IANS.
70-Yr-Old Dies in J&K's Budgam
“70-year-old woman from Budgam district who had tested positive for coronavirus dies at hospital in Srinagar, taking COVID-19 related death toll in Jammu and Kashmir,” PTI reported quoting officials.
ASI Bhivsen Haribhau Pingle Dies of COVID-19: Mumbai Police
“ASI Bhivsen Haribhau Pingle from Mumbai lost his life to coronavirus,” said Mumbai Police, reports ANI.
Aviation Minister Hardeep :Puri Announces New Guidelines for Air Travel
Here are the key announcements made by Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri:
- A passenger will require to wear protective gear, face mask and carry sanitizer bottle
- Airlines shall not provide meal on board.
- Water bottles will be made available in gallery area or on seats
- For ops from Metro to Non-metro cities and vice-versa, where weekly departures is less than 100, airlines free to operate any routes of javascript:void(0)1/3rd capacity of approved summer schedule 2020.For all other cities,airlines are free to use 1/3rd capacity of approved summer schedule 2020
- The cabin crew will be required to be in full protective gear.
- Only one check-in bag will be allowed.
- Passengers should report before at least 2 hours before departure time.
- Fares will be regulated will be in a fixed range. This order of fare range which is being issued today shall remain in force till 23:59 hours IST on 24 August. “We've set a minimum and a maximum fare. In the case of Delhi, Mumbai the minimum fare would be Rs 3500 for a journey between 90-120 minutes, maximum fare would be Rs 10,000. This is operative for 3 months - till one minute to midnight on 24th August,” Puri said
- 40% of seats have to be sold at a fare less than the midpoint of the band. For example, midpoint of Rs 3500 and Rs 10000 is Rs 6700. So 40% of the seats have to be sold at a price less than Rs 6700
- Flight routes have been classified into 7 -
- Flight time less than 40 minutes,
- 40 - 60 minutes
- 60 - 90 minutes
- 90 - 120 minutes
- 120 - 150 minutes
- 150 - 180 minutes
- 180 - 210 minutes
571 New Cases in Delhi
At least 571 COVID-19 positive cases, 375 recovered/discharged in last 24 hours in Delhi. The total number of positive cases in Delhi stands at 11,659, including 5,567 recovered/discharged/migrated and 194 deaths.
10 New Cases in Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand reports 10 new positive cases of COVID-19 today. Total number of positive cases rise to 132 including 77 active cases, 54 recovered and 1 death.
96 New Cases in Bihar
At least 96 more positive cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Bihar today, taking the total number of positive cases to 1,872.
Uttarakhand Health Secretary Replaced
Nitesh Kumar Jha has been removed from the post of Uttarakhand Health Secretary. He has been replaced by Amit Singh Negi.
Pune Constable Dies of COVID-19
A Pune constable died of coronavirus on Thursday, the Maharashtra police said in a statement.
“Maharashtra Police regrets to inform about the unfortunate demise of Constable Deepak Nathuram Sawant from Pune. Sawant was battling Coronavirus. DGP and all ranks of Maharashtra Police offer their condolences to the Sawant family.” it said in a statement.
24 New Cases in Kerala
Number of active cases of COVID-19 rises to 177 in Kerala, with 24 more people testing positive today.
360 New Cases in UP
In last 24 hours, 360 new positive cases have been reported in the state. Active cases stand at 2,130 while 127 deaths have occurred due to COVID-19 and 3,099 people have been cured/discharged till now.
CRPF Cases Rise to 335
Nine new cases of COVID-19 and one death have been reported in Central Reserve Police Force today, taking total number of cases to 335 and fatalities to two in the force. 121 jawans are undergoing treatment.
Delhi-Noida Border Remains Sealed
Misinformation is doing rounds on social media that Delhi-Noida border has been opened, Gautam Budh Nagar Police Commissioner said. It is to clarify that the border remains sealed until we get any order from UP government, he said.
143 New Cases in Karnataka
At least 143 new COVID-19 positive cases have been reported in Karnataka in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of positive cases to 1605. There are 992 active cases.
3 New Cases in Jharkhand
At least 3 new COVID-19 cases reported in Jharkhand today, taking the total count of positive cases to 293.
Cases in Himachal Rise to 137
The total number of COVID-19 positive cases in the state stands at 137 now, including 51 discharged patients and 3 deaths. The number of active cases is 79.
776 New Cases in Tamil Nadu
At least 776 new positive COVID-19 cases and 7 deaths reported in Tamil Nadu today, of which 567 cases are from Chennai. 400 patients have been discharged today.
Cases in Odisha at 393
Total number of positive cases of COVID-19 in Odisha stand at 1103 including 393 recovered/ discharged, 7 deaths and 703 active cases.
Centre Writes to States Over Violation of MHA's Lockdown Guidelines
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has written to the states expressing concern over violations of lockdown guidelines.
“Violations of MHA Guidelines being reported at various places. States/UTs must strictly implement all measures to contain COVID-19. Local authorities must take all necessary steps to enforce the guidelines,” MHA said.
23 New Cases in Punjab
At least 23 new COVID-19 positive cases reported in the state today. Total number of positive cases in Punjab is now 2028.
47 New Cases in Dharavi
At least 47 new positive cases recorded in Mumbai's Dharavi today. The total number of positive patients in the area is now 1425.
Urban Areas of 5 UP Cities Categorised as Red Zones
Urban areas in Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, Agra, Meerut and Kanpur have been categorised as COVID-19 red zones.
Indigo to Operate Repatriation Flights
IndiGo to operate 97 repatriation flights between Kerala and Saudi Arabia, Doha, Kuwait and Muscat.
Railways to Cancel Tickets for Inter-District Travel in Maharashtra
Since inter-district travel is prohibited in Maharastra, the tickets of all passengers whose originating as well as terminating stations fall within Maharashtra will cancelled and a full refund be issued without deduction of any cancellation charges, the Railway Board said.
2,345 New Cases in Maharashtra
At least 2,345 new COVID-19 cases and 64 deaths reported in Maharashtra today. Total number of cases in the state is now at 41,642 and death toll stands at 1,454.
371 New Cases in Gujarat
At least 371 new COVID-19 positive cases have been reported in Gujarat in the last 24 hours. Total cases in the state stand at 12,910, including 5,488 cured/discharged and 773 deaths.
59 New Cases in J&K
At least 59 COVID-19 positive cases have been reported in Jammu and Kashmir today - 8 from Jammu division and 51 Kashmir division. Total positive cases stand at 1449, of which 745 cases are active. Death toll stands at 20.
Cases in Chandigarh Rise to 218
Total number of positive cases in Chandigarh rises to 218 including 178 cured, 3 deaths and 37 active cases.
Thane Constable Dies of COVID-19
A 45-year-old woman Constable posted in Thane Police died today due to COVID-19. She is the first police woman who died due to Coronavirus in Maharashtra.
38 New Cases in Telangana
At least 38 new COVID-19 positive cases reported in Telangana today, taking the total number of positive cases to 1,699.
248 New Cases in MP Today
At least 248 new positive cases reported in Madhya Pradesh today, taking the total number of positive cases in the state to 5981, of which 2843 patients have been cured and discharged. The death toll stands at 270.
Vande Bharat Mission tto Continue till 13 June
Government says its Vande Bharat Mission will continue till 13 June and extended phase will cover 47 countries.