The central government on Saturday declared the novel coronavirus (COVID 19) as a national disaster. The Ministry of Home Affairs was quoted by the news agency ANI as saying: "The government has decided to treat COVID 19 as a notified disaster for the purpose of providing assistance under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)."
Meanwhile, the Home Ministry added that Rs 4 lakh will be paid as an ex-gratia to the family of the person who will lose their life due to coronavirus, including those involved in relief operations or associated in response activities.
Coronavirus in India
Meanwhile, 83 confirmed cases have been reported from India with two deaths so far. India witnessed first death on Thursday where a 76-year-old man from Kalaburagi in Karnataka, died due to the pandemic. Likewise, the Health Ministry announced that a 68-year-old woman who was tested positive passed away.
Educational institutions closed in Chandigarh, Punjab, and Delhi
Taking precautionary measures to prevent the spreading of the coronavirus, the Government has decided to shut down schools, colleges and universities, in Chandigarh, Punjab, and Delhi among the other states in the country.
5 labs set up in Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated that "Five laboratories have been set up for the testing of coronavirus in the state with the help of the Central government. These include two in Lucknow and one each in Aligarh, Varanasi, and Gorakhpur.
Also Read | CoronaOutbreak: Gyms, clubs, cinemas and shopping malls to remain closed in Punjab
Indian Railways take precautionary measures
In the wake of coronavirus pandemic, the East Coast railway stated that the blankets in AC coaches of its trains will be removed and the toilets will be washed at all the stations. Meanwhile, J P Mishra, PRO, East Coast Railway was quoted by news agency ANI as saying that "East Coast Railway has directed to remove blankets in (AC) Tire I, II and III train coaches, in view of Coronavirus. The toilets on the trains will be washed at major stations".
-PTC News
