Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Four CMs Object to Train Services Starting From Tomorrow in Meet With PM

In his beginning address to the chief ministers, Prime Minister Modi had said, "There is global recognition for India’s success in handling the COVID-19 pandemic and Govt of India appreciates the efforts made by all state governments in this regard. Let us stay the course as we move forward together."

The Indian Railways releases timings of the special trains, which will run from tomorrow. 

Four CMs Oppose Running of Passenger Trains | Raising objection to the operation of passenger trains from tomorrow, KCR reiterates Tamil Nadu CM Palaniswami's stance. The two chief ministers are further joined by Andhra CM Jagan Mohan Reddy and Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel in opposing the move.

Telangana CM Opposes Operation of Passenger Trains | Telangana CM KCR asks PM Modi to not operate passenger trains, saying it would lead to a lot more chaos in terms of identifying people who’ve been infected, testing and quarantining. "All the states are under massive financial burden and no state is in a stage to clear the debt to the Centre." KCR requests the PM to 'reschedule' debts that states need to pay to Centre, like the way farmer loans have been deferred.

The Tamil Nadu chief minister also requests for a relief package and supply of more PCR testing kits.

Update from PM's Interaction With CMs | Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami requests PM Modi not to permit operation of regular train and air services in the state till May 31. The chief minister further seeks refinancing support of Rs 2,500 crore to the Tamil Nadu Industrial Investment Corporation through SIDBI and commercial banks to extend support to MSME.

Users are being requested to continue trying to open the booking site, as the database is expected to be updated with new information soon. According to the new prompt on IRCTC, ticket bookings for the special trains will begin at 6pm today.

Data pertaining to special trains is being fed in the IRCTC website. Train ticket bookings will be available in a short while. Please wait. Inconvenience is regretted.

— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) May 11, 2020

Several individuals are complaining that the IRCTC website is crashing as they are trying to book tickets, the process for which was earlier announced by the Ministry of Railways will begin at 4 pm.

Centre Discriminating Against Bengal: Banerjee | In the video conference with PM Modi, Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee alleges that the Centre is discriminating against the state even amid a pandemic. "We are faced with several hardships being a border state. Even then we are making our best efforts and will continue to do so."

Govt Denies Plans of Community-wise Mapping | "This is a very irresponsible piece of news. COVID-19 does not see people's caste, creed or religion," says Agrawal on reports of govt mulling community-wise mapping of coronavirus spread.

1,40,000 Contacts Traced Using App | Aarogya Setu app has been used in contact tracing, according to which 1,40,000 people who have come in contact in the last few days with a COVID-19 patients.

Worked to Ensure Data Privacy: Govt | Aarogya Setu app has been downloaded in 9.8 crore smartphones so far. It will be available on Jio feature smartphones from tomorrow. We've worked a lot on data privacy of Arogya Setu users and made sure that user data is not compromised. The data gathered from the app is kept in the server for a maximum of 45 days, says Ajay Sahni, chairman of Empowered Group 9. 

India Count Cross 67k | Coming back to the updates from the health ministry, Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal says, "The total number of recoveries is 20,917 while 44,029 people are under active medical supervision. Total number of cases now stands at 67,152.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee joins the video conference with PM Modi and chief ministers of other states.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee takes part in the video conference with Chief Ministers over #COVID19 under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. pic.twitter.com/jQpUngWzQe

— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2020

The new discharge policy based on symptom and time allows mild, moderate and asymptomatic cases to be released after three fever free days without testing, but they have to be in home isolation for 7 days. The earlier test-based strategy has been changed in several other countries, says Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary of Health Ministry.

4,213 Cases Reported in 24 Hrs | The health ministry says that a total of 4,213 cases have been recorded in the last 24 hours while 1,559 patients have been cured. The total recovery rate now stands at 31.15 per cent.

Health Ministry Briefs Media | The Union Health Ministry briefs media on the latest situation in the country amid the coronavirus pandemic.

#WATCH Delhi: Health Ministry briefing on COVID19 situation in the country (11th May) https://t.co/XWtPBUy7V7

— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2020

"If the prime minister has little concern for workers and labourers, then he should himself tell these states to not go ahead with amending labour laws and not allow them in doing so. We would expect the prime minister to intervene today itself," Gohil said. He said it was "shocking and heart-breaking" that at a time when the entire nation is dealing with an unprecedented pandemic, which has disproportionately ravaged and devastated the lives of the poor, the Modi government has taken this as an opportunity to deprive them of their rights. (2/2)

Shameful that BJP-ruled States Amending Labour Laws | Meanwhile, the Congress targeted the BJP-ruled states for amending labour laws under the cover of a pandemic to lure foreign investors and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to not allow this. Congress spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil appealed to the Central government to deny permission to the states "stripping workers of their basic rights". He said labour laws have been suspended by the BJP governments of UP, MP and Gujarat. (1/2)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi discusses strategy to contain the spread of the coronavirus with the chief ministers.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan takes part in the Chief Ministers' video conference meeting with PM Modi.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan takes part in the Chief Ministers' video conference meeting over #COVID19 under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi: Madhya Pradesh CM's office pic.twitter.com/aoGmmwQrQm

— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2020

PM Modi Interacts With CMs on Ways to Strengthen Covid-19 Containment Strategy, Boosting Economic Activities | Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a fresh round of consultation with chief ministers on ways to strengthen the Covid-19 containment strategy and stepping up of economic activities in a calibrated manner as the 54-day nationwide lockdown nears an end. Large-scale movement of migrant workers from urban to rural India and the problems their return to home states may cause in restarting the economy will also be among the focus areas during the fifth virtual interaction between the prime minister and chief ministers since the outbreak of the deadly virus in the country.

Total 6 BSF Jawans Test Covid-19 Positive in 24 Hours | "In the last 24 hours, total 6 Border Security Force (BSF) jawans have tested Covid-19 positive. One each from Tripura and Delhi, four from Kolkata. All of them are under treatment in designated Covid Health Care hospitals," ANI reported quoting BSF.

PM Narendra Modi's Meeting With CMs Begin | Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Chief Ministers of various states has started to discuss a graded exit from the coronavirus-induced lockdown. The interaction is underway via video conferencing. This is PM Modi's fifth interaction with the chief ministers after the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in the country.

PM Narendra Modi to Interact With State CMs Shortly | With the focus on boosting economic activities amid a graded exit from the coronavirus-induced lockdown, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with chief ministers of various states via video conference shortly. This will be his fifth interaction with the chief ministers after the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in the country.

Piyush Goyal Appeals State Govts to Speed up Approval for Transportation of Stranded Migrants | Railway minister Piyush Goyal has again appealed to all the State Governments to "speed up approvals for transportation of stranded migrants through ’Shramik Special’ trains and provide relief to workers at the earliest."

We have allocated over 1,200 trains with which we can easily run 300 ’Shramik Special’ trains everyday, so that all migrants can reach their destination safely, quickly and comfortably.

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) May 11, 2020

Andhra Pradesh Govt to Send Foreign Returnees to Quarantine Centres Soon After Landing | Andhra Pradesh government has made all the arrangements to screen foreign returnees and provide medical facilities to the needy. On Monday first batch of returnees including from the US would be reaching back to Andhra Pradesh. Special arrangements have been made at Vijayawada, Vishakhapatnam and Tirupati airport to take care of the travellers and as they will land at the airport.

Karnataka CM to Discuss Covid-19 Issues in State With PM Modi | Amid pressure from the opposition to seek a special Covid-19 economic package from the Centre, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said he will discuss all issues with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and put forth the state's stand. "As Chief Minister of the state, I would clearly state our stand and suggest what needs to be done to the Prime Minister during the meeting," Yediyurappa told reporters. Asked whether he will seek any package, he merely said, "I will discuss about everything."

Covid-19 Patients Can End Home Isolation After 17 Days: Revised Guidelines | Coronavirus infected patients can end home isolation after 17 days of onset of symptoms or date of sampling and if they have no fever for 10 days without getting tested again for Covid-19, according to revised guidelines for home isolation of very mild/pre-symptomatic cases. The revised guidelines released by the health ministry reiterated that patients, who are pre-symptomatic or have very mild symptoms, can opt for home isolation if they have the requisite self-isolation facility at their residence so as to avoid contact with other family members.

Delhi Govt to Give Rs 5,000 in Aid to Construction Workers Amid Lockdown | The Delhi government decided to provide another financial assistance of Rs 5,000 to the construction workers in the wake of the extended coronavirus lockdown. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Construction Workers' Welfare Board, chaired by Labour Minister Gopal Rai. There are around 40,000 construction workers registered with the board. It has also decided to launch an online portal where construction workers can register themselves.