India will extend its nationwide lockdown by two weeks from May 4 but will ease it in some areas to revive economic activity that has been stalled during the isolation restrictions since March 25.
There will be no movement between states allowed in this time but authorities will partially relax measures in areas where no new coronavirus infections have been reported, the Ministry of Home Affairs said on Friday.
Stricter measures will continue in places classified as "red zones", such as New Delhi and Mumbai, and "orange zones", which have some cases.
In "green zones", or low-risk areas, some movement of people and economic activity will be allowed, the ministry said.
Industrial plants in urban areas, including special economic zones, will be allowed to operate, it said.
And manufacturing centres for essential goods, including drugs, medical devices and IT hardware production, will also be allowed to restart, the ministry said.
Private offices and government departments can operate at a third of their capacity.
Officials say the nation has bolstered its domestic production for key medical supplies such as ventilators, oxygen and personal protective equipment.
The government says it has almost 20,000 ventilators and 43.8 million oxygen cylinders.
But with an expected surge in cases after the relaxation of some measures, officials estimated a demand for 75,000 ventilators in the coming weeks.
Of this, 60,000 will be made in India. The government estimates it will need 3.5 million standard kits for its 1.3 billion people.
The lockdown was initially for three weeks but was extended until May 3.
The number of new infections being reported in the country has not fallen despite the 40-day lockdown.
India had reported slightly more than 600 infections and 10 deaths on March 25 when the strict curbs came into effect.
There are now more than 35,000 infections and 1,000 deaths, data from Johns Hopkins University shows.
India’s easing of restrictions is primarily aimed at reviving its economy, which could be heading for its first full-year contraction in more than four decades.
The world’s biggest lockdown has crippled business activity, put a lid on consumption and resulted in widespread job losses and pay cuts.
The country had eased some restrictions on April 20 to allow farmers and some industries to resume operations in rural areas and in districts that were free of infections.
The Home Ministry on Wednesday said that daily wage workers stranded without jobs or income because of the lockdown had been allowed to go home by road under certain conditions.
Train services were resumed from Friday to move migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other people stranded across the country.
The trains will run from point-to-point on the request of state governments.
Local authorities also have to screen the passengers and only those found to be asymptomatic would be allowed to travel, the home ministry said.
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About Takalam
Date started: early 2020
Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech and wellness
Number of staff: 4
Funding to date: Bootstrapped
Bio:
Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour
Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite food: Fish and vegetables
Favourite place to visit: London
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Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
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Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
How to vote
Canadians living in the UAE can register to vote online and be added to the International Register of Electors.
They'll then be sent a special ballot voting kit by mail either to their address, the Consulate General of Canada to the UAE in Dubai or The Embassy of Canada in Abu Dhabi
Registered voters mark the ballot with their choice and must send it back by 6pm Eastern time on October 21 (2am next Friday)
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil