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New Delhi : Although Maharashtra has 1.60 lakh active Covid cases, as part of unlocking measure, the State Road Transport Corporation resumed its services on August 20, 2020, morning, with the first ‘Shivneri’ bus leaving Mumbai for Pune at 7 am. Just a couple of days ahead of Maharashtra’s most popular Ganesh Utsav, the state has permitted resumption of inter-district bus transport service.
After the recent Sero-survey in Pune revealed that nearly 50 per cent of samples of local residents from five high-incidence areas had antibodies for coronavirus infection, the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research-led survey has now begun a study to detect ‘neutralising antibodies’ in an effort to understand the human body’s response to the virus. This will possibly be the first of its kind survey in the country.
Rajasthan: Elections to 129 municipal bodies in Rajasthan have been put off for two months in view of the coronavirus pandemic. In an order, the State Election Commission said the elections scheduled to be held in August 2020 have been postponed till October 20, 2020, in view of the current situation.
Kerala: Kozhikode District collector Sambasiva Rao has ordered the closing down of Perambra fish market until further notice after a clash broke out there defying prohibitory orders. Six more deaths due to Covid was reported from the state on August 20, 2020. According to latest figures, 406 Keralites have succumbed to the disease in the Gulf countries till date.
Karnataka: State cabinet decided to hold 9 days legislative session from September 21, 2020, amidst corona crisis. It has also decided to bring amendment to Slaughter of Cows Act. Meanwhile, state health department has revised guidelines for containment and buffer zones. Karnataka reported 8,000-plus Covid cases again on August 20, 2020.
Andhra Pradesh: State Endowments Minister has said that there would be no public celebrations of Vinayaka Chaturthi this year in view of pandemic and asked people to perform poojas at home instead of organising pandals. Rallies during idol immersion and Ganesh pandals are banned this year, according to a PIB release.
Chandigarh: The Administrator, UT Chandigarh, ordered that at least 25% of beds available in private hospitals and Nursing Homes must be kept reserved for Covid patients. He also directed Commissioner, MC, to form various Area Committees along with Councillors, who can help local administration in keeping a watch over different areas to ensure that the residents follow hygeinic practices like wearing of masks and social distancing etc. and ramp up IEC activities.
Punjab: Taking notice of overcharging some private hospitals and labs for the treatment and test of COVID-19, the Punjab Health & Family Welfare Minister has instructed the Civil Surgeons to ensure all such services to be made available as per capped rates decided by the Punjab Government. If anyone is found violating the instructions, immediate action would be taken against the management under the Epidemic Disease Act.
Haryana: Haryana Health and Home Minister Anil Vij said that on August 24, 2020, a COVID-19 screening camp will be organised on the premises of Haryana Vidhan Sabha, wherein MLAs, officers, employees and journalists will be able to get their test done. He said that this decision has been taken in view of the upcoming Monsoon session of Vidhan Sabha which will commence on August 26, 2020. Apart from this, directions have been given to all the civil surgeons of the State to conduct the COVID-19 test of the MLAs of their areas at their homes.