India Launches Biggest COVID-19 Rescue Mission

India is launching is massive rescue mission through air and sea route for the people stranded abroad due to coronavirus pandemic. There are more than 3 lakh people stuck in different places in Europe and US. But this time, the rescued people will be charged for the service. Rescue from Europe will cost Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 1 lakh from the US. Naval warships will rescue people from West Asia and Maldives.

Highlights of the story

• Indian citizens excluding OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) will be rescued in this operation. National carrier will fly 14,800 Indians in 13 countries back home in 64 flights.

• The evacuation will start on May 7 with 10 flights bringing back 2,300 Indians.

• In the coming days, the government will send 10 flights to UAE; 7 each to US and UK; 5 each to Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Kuwait and Philippines; 2 each to Qatar, Oman and Bahrain. Also, there will be flights for Malaysia and Bangladesh.

• The flights will carry between 200 to 300 passengers to maintain social distancing. Also, the passengers will be asked to declare their medical condition like fever, cough, diabetes and any respiratory disease.

• People with valid visas could also take advantage of the rescue flights depending on the permission granted by their destination countries.

• All passengers will be screened before boarding and only asymptomatic people will be rescued. At home, they will be quarantined for 14 days.

• Naval ships – INS Shardul, INS Magar and INS Jalashwa – and 30 aircraft of Indian Air Force including Boeing Co.’s C-17 Globemaster and Lockheed Martin Corp.’s C-130J Super Hercules will … Read the rest

E-retailers Want To Take Part In Joint Fight Against COVID-19

E-commerce giants Amazon and Flipkart again put the case for sale of non-essential goods and asked for permission to sell the items that have become essentials over a prolonged period. Also, the ecommerce companies promised to make deliveries while following the lockdown conditions of social distancing.

Amazon delivery

It said that ecommerce offered the safest way for sellers/retailers to serve the needs of citizens while ensuring social distancing. Amazon was committed to keep citizens safe and that e-commerce can play a crucial role in the joint fight against the pandemic said the company. It further maintained it can help in fight against coronavirus by starting supply of goods.

Flipkart delivery

The ecommerce company said that it can help in easing the burden of piled up inventory of MSMEs with quick delivery of products to consumers in a safe and secure manner. Also, it promised maintaining social distancing norms while making online deliveries to consumers.

Government on ecommerce deliveries

The government has allowed sale of essential goods that include pharmaceuticals and medical equipment through ecommerce platforms but it has put a ban on sale of non-essential goods by e-retailers. The delivery agents handling delivery of non-essential goods are advised to follow the instructions provide by the governments of states and UTs they are working from.

Lockdown in India

The country is currently in the middle of the extended lockdown enforced to break the chain of spread of novel coronavirus. The lockdown was extended on April 14 and it will remain operative till May 3.

Source: https://bit.ly/3eYxkTY

Read the rest

Lockdown To Continue Till May 3 But Restrictions Could Be Eased After April 20

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced extension of lockdown till May 3 but hinted possible relaxations in areas that show restraint to the spread of COVID-19 after April 20. PM Modi took the decision of extension to extend lockdown after consulting chief ministers of 13 states through video conferencing on Saturday.

Highlights of PM Modi’s speech

• PM said that the country should ensure that new hotspots didn’t spring up. The lockdown measures will be enhanced at hotspot areas till April 20.

• Each district in each state will be closely monitored to check whether the lockdown is followed. The decision on relaxations will be determined on the results of lockdown.

• The PM said that easing difficulty of poor was his top priority.

• He said that the country had benefitted from lockdown and social distancing. Also, he admitted that the people had to pay a price.

• India didn’t wait for the crisis to aggravate and took early steps to contain the virus.

• He said that he was aware of the challenges the people faced during lockdown period.

• He said that people’s resolve to fight the pandemic was the true tribute to Baba Saheb Ambedkar.

He asked for seven things

  1. Take care of the vulnerable in the family
  2. Follow the lockdown rules and practice social distancing
  3. Follow guidelines by Ayush Ministry to boost immunity
  4. Download Arogya Setu app
  5. Show empathy towards employees
  6. Respect those at the frontline of the battle
  7. Help poor in arranging food and other necessities

Source: https://bit.ly/3b9gXBz

Read the rest