Coronavirus News Updates: Delhi Metro shuts Khan Market, three other station gates to manage crowd on New Year's Day

Delhi Metro shuts exit gates at Khan Market, 3 others stations 

Anticipating large gatherings on New Year’s Day, exit gates at four metro stations in central Delhi were closed on Friday afternoon by authorities. Every year, revellers gather at Connaught Place, Khan Market and other prominent places, which are adjacent to metro station, to ring in the new year, by shopping and dining out.

However, due to COVID-19 situation, authorities have urged people to not crowd around and avoid public gatherings, especially in view of the new strain of coronavirus which was detected recently.

“Exit gates of Khan Market, Supreme Court, Central Secretariat and Mandi House are closed. Entry and interchange is permitted at these stations,” the DMRC tweeted.

Odisha reports 245 new COVID-19 cases, 3 fresh fatalities

Odisha’s COVID-19 tally rose to 3,29,866 on Friday as 245 more people tested positive for the infection, while three fresh fatalities pushed the state’s toll to 1,876, a health official said. As many as 139 new cases were reported in quarantine centres, while 106 infections were detected during contact tracing.

Sambalpur registered the highest number of new cases at 35, followed by Sundergarh (34) and Angul (32).

Schools reopen in Karnataka 

Schools and pre-university colleges in Karnataka reopened on Friday with strict COVID-19 protocol, reports said.

“While regular classes began on Friday for class 10 and second year PUC (class 12) students, who will be facing board exams; students from grades 6-9 came to campuses for the Vidyagama programme, which enables continued schooling. Wearing masks, students with consent letters from their parents were seen entering the classes after thermal checks and sanitising their hands at schools and PU colleges across the state,” Moneycontrol reported.

Kochi mayor visits school to review COVID-19 protocol

Kochi mayor M Anil Kumar on Friday visited a school in the city after the Kerala government permitted schools for students of class 10 and 12 to reopen.

Dry run for vaccine to held at Daryaganj in Delhi

Dry-run for COVID-19 vaccine will be held at Daryaganj, GTB Hospital and one private hospital in Delhi, said Union health minister Harsh Vardhan on Friday.

“Target of this exercise is that minutest details are thoroughly researched. At least two vaccines have sent their applications to Drug Controller and experts for approval, their data are being studied pro-actively,” said the health minister.

Govt allows import,export of COVID-19 vaccine without any value limitation

The government has allowed import and export of COVID-19 vaccines without any value limitation, in order to ensure speedy clearance and distribution.

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has amended the regulations to facilitate the import/export of COVID-19 vaccines through courier, at locations where the Express Cargo Clearance System (ECCS) is operational.

“Imports of and exports of vaccines in relation to COVID-19 has been allowed without any value limitation,” said the amended Courier Imports and Exports (Electronic Declaration and Processing) Amendment Regulations, 2020.

Singapore to block entry to visitors from South Africa

Singapore will stop allowing entry to visitors with a recent travel history to South Africa, its health ministry said on Friday, citing reports of a potentially more contagious strain of the novel coronavirus circulating in the country.

The new border restrictions for travellers from South Africa will effectively be in place from 4 January.

Harsh Vardhan holds COVID-19 review meet with Delhi govt

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan conducted a review meeting on Friday with the Delhi government for the preparation of dry run of COVID-19 vaccination drive, scheduled on 2 January.

Budget, COVID-19 vaccine rollout: Factors which will drive investor sentiments in 2021

The global COVID-19 situation, rollout of vaccines, geopolitical trends, Union Budget and economic recovery would be the major factors driving investor sentiments in 2021 after a tumultuous year which saw both ’the worst of times and the best of times’ for the stock market, said analysts.

Kerala schools to reopen partially from 1 January 

Schools in Kerala, remained closed since the imposition of coronavirus lockdown in March, will reopen partially on 1 January, but strictly in compliance with COVID protocols.

The classes for 10th and 12th standards would begin with limited hours and restricted number of students, official sources here said on Thursday.

Active COVID-19 cases in India stands at 2.54 lakh

The COVID-19 active caseload remained below 3 lakh for the 11th consecutive day. There are 2,54,254 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country which comprise 2.47 percent of the total caseload.

COVID-19 toll in India nears 1.50 lakh

Of the 256 new COVID-19 fatalities,  58 were reported in Maharashtra, 30 in Kerala, 29 in West Bengal and 21 from Chhattisgarh.

A total of 1,48,994 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 49,521 from Maharashtra followed by 12,122 
from Tamil Nadu, 12,090 from Karnataka, 10,536 from Delhi, 9,712 from West Bengal, 8,364 from Uttar Pradesh, 7,108 from Andhra Pradesh and 5,341 from Punjab.

India’s COVID-19 recovery rate crosses 96%

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 98,83,461 pushing the national recovery rate to 96.08 percent, while the COVID-19 case fatality rate stands at 1.45 percent.

India registers 20,035 new COVID-19 cases

A total of 20,035 new COVID-19 cases were reported in a day, taking the caseload to 1,02,86,709, said the Union health ministry on Friday. The toll increased to 1,48,994 with 256 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.