Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation at 8 pm today on the coronavirus outbreak. He will address the nation on vital aspects relating to the menace of COVID-19, the Prime Minister said in a tweet. "Will address the nation at 8 PM today, 24th March 2020, on vital aspects relating to the menace of COVID-19," Modi tweeted.

As many as 30 States and Union Territories have announced complete lockdown in view of Covid-19 outbreak. The lockdown covers 548 districts across the country.

Partial lockdowns have been imposed in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha. 17 districts in Uttar Pradesh, 37 districts in Madhya Pradesh and 5 districts in Odisha have been put under the lockdown. The Union Territory of Lakshadweep has only imposed restrictions on certain activities so far.

Briefing media in New Delhi, Joint Secretary in Health and Family Welfare Ministry Lav Agarwal said, the Cabinet Secretary has asked the Chief Secretaries of States and Union Territories to implement the restrictions strictly. Home Secretary also asked the Director Generals of Police of the States to impose restrictions in stricter manner.
As many as 424 active confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the country so far. While 34 patients have been discharged. The death toll in COVID-19 has risen to 9 so far.

Postponing the Olympics over the coronavirus pandemic may become "inevitable", Japan's prime minister conceded Monday, after the International Olympic Committee said a delay was being considered as pressure grows from athletes and sports bodies.

The comments from Shinzo Abe were his first acknowledgement that the 2020 Games may not open as scheduled on July 24, as the coronavirus marches across the globe causing unprecedented chaos.

Canada's Olympic and Paralympic committees meanwhile announced they will not send teams to the Games if they are held this summer, citing the health of their athletes and the general public. And Australia's Olympic committee told athletes to prepare for a Tokyo Olympics in the northern-hemisphere summer of 2021.

"It's clear the Games can't be held in July," Australian chef de mission Ian Chesterman said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the media representatives to launch 'Stay Home' campaign so that citizens can understand the gravity of the situation and take the lockdown seriously. Prime Minister today interacted with media heads through video conferencing over COVID-19 outbreak.

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar was also present. They discussed the ways to tackle the crisis and role of media in creating awareness about it. Prime Minister also urged the media personnel to take due precautions. 

In Madhya Pradesh, India's cleanest city- Indore has deploy drones to sanitize city areas against the coronavirus outbreak by sprinkle chemicals. Indore could be the first city in India to attempt to fight off the virus scare this way.

The Indore Municipal Corporation has hired two drones for that purpose.The state has reported six cases till now, five in Jabalpur and one in Bhopal. Test report of 12 patients is awaited. AIR correspodent reports that it is a first-of-its kind attempt by which crowded areas are sanitizing with the help of drones. Vegetables markets and streets of the Indore are being sprayed with sodium hypochlorite and bio-clean.

The spraying is already started at Choithram mandi and some other places. These drones take off with 16 litres of chemicals in each flight and return after 30 minutes having sprayed chemicals in an area spanning 8-10km. An official informed that special care is being taken to ensure the spray doesn’t harm citizens.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged people not to leave their houses in lockdown districts and states and follow instructions in fight against COVID-19. In a series of tweets,  Mr Modi cautioned people against complacency.

Prime Minister has lauded the people for showing their gratitude to Corona warriors like doctors, nurses and sanitation workers. People across the country came out of their homes and on their balconies at 5 pm yesterday to clap, clang utensils and ring bells to express solidarity.

In a series of tweets, Mr Modi said, the nation thanks every citizen who is leading the fight against Coronavirus. Prime Minister said, this is just a beginning of nation's victory march in a long battle against COVID-19. As the clock struck five, people came out in balconies, lawns and terraces, to express gratitude to doctors, nurses and others working continuously to combat Covid 19.

The Uttar Pradesh Government has sought a Central Grant of 100 crore rupees for Lucknow University and Kashi Vidyapeeth.

The Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister of Uttar Pradesh Dr. Dinesh Sharma on Friday met Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank in Delhi and made the request.

Mr. Sharma said that both the  educational institutions have completed 100 years of their establishment and there is a provision of special grant of Rs 100 crores for these institutions.

Indian Railways has taken a slew of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 virus. The measures are being implemented across all the zones . Indian Railways has taken steps to discourage citizens from undertaking non essential journeys by temporarily removing special incentives for many categories including suspension of passenger and some long distance trains.

AIR correspondent reports that keeping in view Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to observe Janta Curfew tomorrow and the steep decline in the number of passengers, Indian Railways has reduced the number of trains which would be plying. In wake of the same, Passenger trains originating from midnight till 10 in the night tomorrow stands cancelled.

Indian Railways has taken a slew of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 virus. The measures are being implemented across all the zones . Indian Railways has taken steps to discourage citizens from undertaking non essential journeys by temporarily removing special incentives for many categories including suspension of passenger and some long distance trains.

AIR correspondent reports that keeping in view Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to observe Janta Curfew tomorrow and the steep decline in the number of passengers, Indian Railways has reduced the number of trains which would be plying. In wake of the same, Passenger trains originating from midnight till 10 in the night tomorrow stands cancelled.

Indian Railways has taken a slew of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 virus. The measures are being implemented across all the zones . Indian Railways has taken steps to discourage citizens from undertaking non essential journeys by temporarily removing special incentives for many categories including suspension of passenger and some long distance trains.

AIR correspondent reports that keeping in view Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to observe Janta Curfew tomorrow and the steep decline in the number of passengers, Indian Railways has reduced the number of trains which would be plying. In wake of the same, Passenger trains originating from midnight till 10 in the night tomorrow stands cancelled.