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Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal develops fever and sore throat, to undergo Coronavirus test on Tuesday

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Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal develops fever and sore throat, to undergo Coronavirus test on Tuesday

Arvind Kejriwal has developed a sore throat and fever and will undergo a test for Coronavirus on Tuesday, reports say. The Delhi Chief Minister has been experiencing the symptoms since Sunday, raising fears that he has contracted the virus.

Arvind Kejriwal has cancelled all his meetings since Sunday and has isolated himself, as per reports. He was last seen during an online media briefing on Sunday where he announced the government’s decision to reserve all Delhi government and private hospitals for the citizens of Delhi only. He has reportedly been advised by his doctors to wait for a day or two to test for the virus.

Arvind Kejriwal has addressed the public regarding the matter and no tweets regarding the same have appeared on his Twitter account as of the time of writing this report. It is expected that he will address the electorate at some point in the near future. Delhi, meanwhile, has close to 30,000 cases and 812 people have died due to the virus thus far.

As unlock 2.0 rolls in, life is back to normal with traffic jams amid rising Coronavirus cases

OpIndia Staff
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As unlock 2.0 rolls in, life is back to normal with traffic jams amid rising Coronavirus cases

In a bid to contain the Coronavirus pandemic, a nationwide lockdown was announced by the Union Government in the intervening night of March 24-25. The lockdown was extended in four phases with relaxations increasing with every new stage. Owing to the economic challenges posed due to limited business activities, coupled with the looming threat of increased unemployment, the Centre in consultation with the States had decided to ease the restrictions even further.

Return of Traffic Congestion

The Unlock 2.0 which begins from Monday witnessed massive traffic congestion on Delhi Noida Direct Flyway. While roads remained devoid of vehicles during the lockdown phase, life has started to become normal in the Capital city. Mumbai, one of the worst-hit cities also saw a surge in traffic and heavy jams.

Massive traffic jam was also witnessed at the Western Express Highway in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Places of Worship reopen

All places of worship were directed to shut operations on March 24 with the enforcement of the first phase of the lockdown. After a gap of 2.5 months, temples are now preparing to welcome the attendance of devotees. In pictures, devotees at Sharana Basaveshwara Temple were seen maintaining adequate physical distance while queuing up for entry into the temple.

Visuals from the Golden Temple in Amritsar saw devotees undergoing thermal checks, and authorities sanitising the premises. Devotees were seen wearing masks along with headcovers while visiting the temple premises.

Similarly, a man dressed as Lord Hanuman dances on dhol beats at Hanuman Temple at Connaught Place, Delhi. Fatehpuri Masjid in Delhi, too, reopened for devotees following the unlock 2.0 guidelines.

Rising Coronavirus Cases in India

According to the data released by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, there are 1,25,381 active cases and 7,135 deaths as of June 8. Maharashtra tops the list with a whopping 43,601 active cases, followed by Delhi (16,229) and Tamil Nadu (14,399). Maharashtra alone accounts for roughly 33% of all active cases in India. As per reports, even though India’s recovery rate stands at 48.36%, yet the total count of all cases equal to 2.46 lacs, a little short of UK’s 2.78 lac cases. The country has also witnessed a record daily increase of 9,971 cases. While life returns back to normalcy with the reopening of shopping malls, restaurants, and places of worship, the rising cases of the Wuhan Coronavirus still remain a cause of concern.

Coronavirus positive in Delhi? Here is the list of documents you need to get admitted in Delhi govt run hospitals

OpIndia Staff
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Coronavirus positive in Delhi? Here is the list of documents you need to get admitted in Delhi govt run hospitals

The Delhi government under AAP has dictated that the state-government run hospitals in the national capital will only treat the residents of Delhi. As per an announcement by Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, only hospitals under the central government will be exempt from the order. The private hospitals have to follow the restrictions as well.

The Delhi CM has stated that treatment under disciplines like oncology, transplantations and neurosurgery will continue to be available for all, any medico-legal victims of accident and acid attacks wishing the NCT of will also be provided treatment, irrespective of their place of residence.

List of documents a coronavirus positive patient in Delhi needs to show to get treated

The Delhi government has also issued a list of documents that residents of Delhi will need to show in hospitals if they want to recieve treatment for COVID-19. In the case of a minor, the documents of the parents will suffice. The documents include:

  • Voter ID
  • Current passbook of bank/post office/Kisan card
  • Ration card, passport, income tax return or driving license
  • Latest water/electricity/telephone/gas bill on patient’s or immediate relative’s name such as parents etc. 
  • Post received or delivered on patients name on Delhi address
  • Adhaar card issued before 7th June 2020. 

The Delhi government used the powers it possesses under Delhi Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19, Regulations, under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 to issue the order. The Kejriwal government has stated that there is a surge in coronavirus cases in the last few days in NCT that drastically increased the demand for beds, infrastructure and consumables in Delhi. 

Kejriwal government’s attitude towards non-Delhiites

Earlier, Kejriwal had stated that Delhi hospitals are stretching thin over resources and if they open borders, patients from neighbouring states will pour in Delhi to receive treatment. Advocating for closed state border, he had stated that non-residents will occupy all beds in Delhi hospitals within 2 days if they allow them to come to Delhi.

During the lockdown, the Delhi government was also accused of being insensitive towards the plight of migrant workers from Bihar. The Delhi government had claimed that they are paying for the tickets for migrant workers while the Bihar government had exposed their lies.

Central government hospitals will function normally

There are around 10,000 beds available in government hospitals like AIIMS, Ram Manohar Lohiya, Safdarjung etc that come under the central government. The orders issued by the Delhi government will not have any effect on their functioning and they will continue to accept patients irrespective of their place of residence. 

Delhi government hospitals

The order comes at a time when there is already a huge controversy surrounding the Delhi government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis in the national capital. While there are allegations of mismanagement, negligence and mishandling, a BJP leader had recetly shared a video of dead bodies of coronavirus patients lying unattended in a hospital.

The government is also in loggerheads with the doctors of Sri Ganga Ram hospital over patient treatment, tests and dedicated coronavirus beds.

Uttar Pradesh: Wasim Ahmed becomes Dinesh Rawat, obtains fake identity card to lure a Hindu woman, rapes her for two years

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Wasim Ahmed becomes Dinesh Rawat, obtains fake identity card to lure a Hindu woman, rapes her for two years

The Meerut Police have reportedly apprehended a man named Wasim Ahmed who lured a Hindu woman from Hapur in his love trap by concealing his identity and then raping her for 2 years. The arrest was made after a case was registered on the basis of a complaint by the victim. Wasim is a resident of Ajrada that falls under the jurisdiction of the Mundali police station.

The police have lodged two cases against the accused – one under the Information Technology Act and another for raping the victim. Reportedly, Wasim had also shared videos and pictures on social media that showed him committing the heinous crime. As such, his phone has been confiscated and is under investigation. According to Superintendent of Police Avinash Pandey, the accused is married and has 2 children. The perpetrator had forged documents to procure a fake Aadhaar card, bearing a Hindu name Dinesh. Wasim worked at a hospital in the Nauchandi area of ​​Meerut. 

Impersonation – A textbook case of Love Jihad

The SP informed that the accused operated under the Facebook ID of Dinesh Ravat. Wasim had thus befriended the victim 2 years ago using the Hindu name and then raped her. The perpetrator had also threatened to murder the woman after she filed a complaint with the police. According to Kithore CO Ramanand Kushwaha, when the police went to arrest Wasim, he claimed to be a journalist to evade arrest. The cops have recovered two ID cards with the name of Dinesh Ravat and Wasim Ahmed.

Shakib becomes Aman, brutally murders victim

This is not the first time that such a case has come to light. Recently, the Meerut Police had solved a murder case which had remained unsolved for the past one year. It was revealed to be a case of Love Jihad where the accused Shakib, a resident of Meerut, had posed as a Hindu boy, Aman, in order to get into a relationship with Ekta Deshwal from Ludhiana. Later, he had beheaded the girl and dumped parts of her body in various places after eloping with her and revealing his identity.

NIFT student doxxed, phone number leaked and threatened because of political ideology and supporting the BJP

OpIndia Staff
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NIFT student doxxed, phone number leaked and threatened because of political ideology and supporting the BJP

Akshara, a student of NIFT, has taken to Twitter to share the mental abuse, threats and abuse she has been made to go through on social media by some abusive handles. The student has claimed that she has been hounded because of her political opinions and because she has been a supporter of the BJP.

Sharing a note from her Twitter account, the student stated that she has been receiving threats and abusive messages for months. Akshara has further shared that she has been receiving anonymous phone calls after her personal information and phone number was leaked on social media.

Note shared by the NIFT student on Twitter

Mental harassment and trauma

Akshara has stated that the abuse and harassment have been continuing for months. She added that she was already suffering from mental health issues and the ongoing targeted harassment has made her troubles worse. She has added that she has made several complaints regarding the harassment and threats but the harassment has not stopped. She has stated that while the left peddles the idea of freedom of speech, she and some of her friends are being hounded by certain people over their political opinions.

Leaking personal information on Twitter

Another person named Anshuman has shared how an Instagram handle by the name of @/fuckbjp has been doxxing and threatening several persons who show a pro-BJP inclination in their political opinions. He also revealed that the person/persons behind that handle have leaked Akshara’s personal information on twitter, by replying under random tweets and tagging others, in order to launch a coordinated attack to abuse and threaten Akshara.

NCW chief takes cognisance

After Akshara’s plight gained attention on social media, author and columnist Shefali Vaidya had tagged the chairperson of the National Commission for Women Rekha Sharma to take cognisance of the issue and help the girl.

following Shefali Vaidya’s tweet, NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma has responded saying that she is looking into the matter. Sharma has stated that the NCW will address the issue today itself.

It is notable here that targeted harassment of private individuals due to their political inclinations and opinions has been something that has been prevalent in the last few years. Recently, there was a group of leftists, Pakistanis and Islamists which was doxxing and targeting Indian Hindus working in the Gulf nations over their political or ideological opinions, painting them as ‘Islamophobic’ and thus making them vulnerable to the strict blasphemy laws in those countries. In an age where social media and digital presence is a significant part of many people’s professional lives, doxxing and targeted online harassment often brings disastrous consequences for the victims.

Shiv Sena bullies Sonu Sood into meeting Uddhav Thackeray after accusing him of stealing limelight from Maha Vikas Aghadi for arranging buses for migrants

OpIndia Staff
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Shiv Sena bullies Sonu Sood into meeting Uddhav Thackeray after accusing him of stealing limelight from Maha Vikas Aghadi for arranging buses for migrants

Shiv Sena seems to have bullied Bollywood actor Sonu Sood into meeting Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray after he won compliments for arranging for buses for migrant workers stuck in Maharashtra amid coronavirus outbreak.

Actor Sonu Sood, after meeting Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, said how he will continue to work till the last migrant stuck in Maharashtra and wants to reach home is sent back. He then even added how every political party supported him and thanked them.

Maharashtra govt led by Shiv Sena receives flak over corona mismanagement

The Maharashtra government run by Shiv Sena-NCP and Congress alliance has been getting flak over mismanagement over handling coronavirus pandemic in the state, especially the treatment of migrants. Maharashtra has also been worst affected state in the pandemic with almost 86,000 positive cases reported from the state.

Information received under RTI has reportedly revealed that the Maharashtra chief minister’s coronavirus relief fund had received Rs 342.01 crore as of May 18. However, so far the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra has only utilised Rs 23.82 crore of the total funds in the COVID-19 related arrangements.

Sonu Sood bullied for helping migrants

Following his meeting with the Governor Koshyari, Sood was attacked by Congress supporters who rushed to float conspiracy theory that he was actually a BJP agent. They alleged that Sood was doing the good work to deliberately make the Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena government look bad. 

Later, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut in the party’s mouthpiece Saamana questioned Sood on his ‘Mahatmagiri’ work. Casting aspersions about Sood’s credibility, Raut mentioned how Sood had met the Governor of Maharashtra, Bhagat Singh Koshyari, who had often been at loggerheads with the incumbent State government. Koshyari had also praised him for his work when the two met at the Raj Bhavan on May 31.

Hitting out at the Bollywood actor, Shiv Sena accused him of overshadowing the work done by the State Government. In the scathing tirade, Raut enquired as to how Sood procured buses during the lockdown. “When the states are not allowing to take any migrant workers, where are the migrants going?” he questioned. While suggesting that Sonu Sood is hand-in-gloves with the BJP, Sanjay Raut stated that he would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi soon and assume the charge of being the celebrity manager of Mumbai.

GoAir revokes termination of employee after he claims it was not him but an impersonator who made the offensive comments on Hindu gods

OpIndia Staff
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GoAir revokes termination of employee after he claims it was not him but an impersonator who made the offensive comments on Hindu gods

GoAir has revoked termination of Trainee First Officer Asif Khan and put him on suspension pending inquiry after he claimed that it was not him but an impersonator who had made the offensive comments on Hindu gods and goddesses on social media. Khan, the GoAir employee, took to Facebook to say that he has been getting threats and abuses because of mistaken identity and he has already lodged a police complaint regarding the same.

On 5th June, Khan took to Facebook to present his side of the story and allege that an imposter who was his namesake had made the offensive comments and since his Twitter bio claimed he was a GoAir employee, Khan got terminated by mistake.

“I would like to again clarify that the comments made by the impostor is his views and not mine or my company GoAir. My only request is to please investigate this matter fairly and swiftly because this whole matter has put a huge stress on me and my family especially my dad who is very ill at this moment,” he posted on Facebook.

Derogatory comments by one Asif Khan

A person with Twitter handle ‘Asif Khan’ who claimed to be GoAir airline cabin crew member had made multiple derogatory comments on Hindu gods and goddesses and India.

Abusive comments by ‘Asif Khan’ on Twitter

After the abusive tweets went viral, netizens trended ‘boycottgoair’ on Twitter.

GoAir terminates Asif Khan

After screenshots of the abusive comments made by Asif Khan went viral on social media, Go Air announced that it was verifying whether Asif Khan is associated with their airline. It said that it has a zero tolerance policy and all its employees have to abide by their employment rules which includes behaviour on social media and terminated his employment contract.

However, in light of new information, his termination is revoked and he is suspended pending investigation.

I reactivated Ladakh’s Daulat Beg Oldi airstrip in 2008 without informing govt because earlier 5 requests were denied: Former Air Marshal PK Barbora

OpIndia Staff
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I reactivated Ladakh’s Daulat Beg Oldi airstrip in 2008 without informing govt because earlier 5 requests were denied: Former Air Marshal PK Barbora

In an explosive revelation, former Air Marshal Pranab Kumar Barbora has said that he flew to Daulat Beg Oldi airstrip in Ladakh on 2008 after 43 years without informing the govt first, because all other previous requests for the same were denied. His comments have come at a time when India-China relations are tensed over control of territory in eastern Ladakh.

The Daulat Beg Oldi base has played a vital role for Indian forces during the current stand-off. It was originally built during the Indo-China war in 1962. But after the war, the airbase was not in use since 1965. The airstrip is strategically very important, as it is located next to the Line of Actual Control in Aksai Chin and the Karakoram Pass. Located at an altitude of 16,614 ft, Daulat Beg Oldi has the world’s highest Advance Landing Ground (ALG).

landing an aircraft after 43 years

In 2008, PK Barbora landed on the airstrip in an AN-32, reactivating the base after 43 years. Talking to Economic Times, he narrated the circumstances behind the action. He revealed that no one in the government knew about the mission before it was conducted, not even the then defence minister AK Antony. Barbora said that when he joined as the commander-in-chief of Western Air Command, he analysed the 60-odd Air Force stations under his jurisdiction, and that is when he noticed Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO). The Indian Air Force had planned for other advance landing grounds in Ladakh too, but DBO stood out for various reasons, like, it is the world’s highest ALG, and is located just a few kilometres away from Karakoram Pass.

Talking about why the ALG was abandoned in 1965, the former Air Marshal said that although the army engineers had done a fantastic job in building the ground, a decision was taken to not fly any two-engine aircraft to that height due to safety reasons. At that time, only one aircraft was capable to fly in such heights, and its life cycle had ended in 1965.

 “There were no more operations after 1965. So, practically, we operated the airstrip for just three years and then we had to close it down because we did not have a suitable aircraft,” Barbora said.

Strategic importance, hostile terrain

The base is important for India, but the terrain is too hostile for sending personnel to man it. There is low oxygen content, and it takes several days of walking to reach there. Therefore, at least five attempts were made by the IAF to reactivate it, but all of them were refused by the government.

“When I wanted to reopen the airstrip, I spotted five files. But after examining those, I realised that if I created another file and put up my request in writing, I won’t get a go-ahead. All the earlier files had ended with a ‘No’ for various reasons”, Barbora said.

“So, I decided to reactivate Daulat Beg Oldi airstrip without any written permission. I decided, let’s not create any file, let there be nothing in writing. After all, if you ask for permission, all the old files will be called, and the result will be another No”, he added. Determined to reactivate the airstrip, Barbora then reportedly talked to his counterparts in the Army and select Air Force officials for a quick study on the condition of the airstrip, and other preparations needed. All these was done verbally, without leaving any record. Soon he received a verbal report, indicating that there was no major crack on the ground.

Special training and silence

After an initial report over the ground conditions, the team that was to land at the DBO undertook a special training for the mission, quietly. Finally, after all the preparations were done, PK Barbora talked to than Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major and army chief General Deepak Kapoor in Delhi’s Air Force golf course and obtained their verbal permission. He also informed the vice chief of air staff Pradeep Naik, but the defence minister was not informed.

On May 31, 2008, five people flew in the AN-32 from Chandigarh, two Air Force pilots, one navigator, a gunner and Barbora himself. They kept the operation a secret, and successfully landed at Daulat Beg Oldi in a fixed-wing aircraft after 43 years, officially reactivating it. While returning, one senior army officer stationed at the base accompanied them, and they returned to Chandigarh after taking off from the bumpy runway at the DBO.

After reaching Chandigarh, they informed Delhi that they have reactivated Daulat Beg Oldi, and that is when the defence minister finally became aware of it. After the Air Force had already reactivated the airstrip, there was nothing the government could do to prevent it, and so, eventually, the airstrip was developed to allow the landing of larger aircraft. In 2013, a C-130J Super Hercules was landed by the Indian Air Force at the airstrip, and since then IAF planes are regularly flying to the base to transport men and material.

It is not 1962 anymore

“We broke the ice and proved a point that we were capable. We surprised the Chinese. Later, in 2013, a four-engine aircraft C-130 Hercules landed there. Look, it’s 2020 now, not 1962″, Barbora said.

Talking to ANI, PK Barbora has today said that the government was informed through proper channels only after he had landed and came back from DBO. He said that when govt was informed, he was asked why did it. “It is the Air Force’s responsibility to maintain troops’ logistics support and it falls within our jurisdiction, within Indian territory, so we did it,” he had replied the government. He said the then Defence Minister AK Antony had also asked him what he would tell the Chinese if they raise questions about it during his visit to China where he was taking the earthquake relief supplies. Barbora said the Chinese never raised the issue with the Defence Minister during that visit.

Unlock 2.0: Here are the MHA guidelines for reopening of malls, restaurants and religious places from June 8

OpIndia Staff
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Unlock 2.0: Here are the MHA guidelines for reopening of malls, restaurants and religious places from June 8

A nationwide lockdown was announced by the Union Government in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak in Indian on the intervening night of March 24-25. The lockdown was continued in four phases, following which the Government decided to ease the restrictions gradually with Unlock 1.0, except in containment zones. According to the latest guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), malls, restaurants, and places of worship would open from June 8 onwards.

The concerned authorities had been directed to sanitise premises, ensure social distancing and mandatory wearing of masks. Cinema halls, gaming arcades, and hotels have been ordered to remain non-operational.

Guidelines for malls and restaurants

According to MHA directives, restaurants and malls must screen home-delivery staff and encourage takeaways instead of dining-in. Restaurants can only allow asymptomatic diners and staff within their premises. Moreover, thermal screening is mandatory at the entrance of both malls and restaurants. As per guidelines, staff and patrons alike must wear masks and adhere to social distancing within the premises. Besides, the management is obliged to manage crowds not just inside the dining area but only in parking areas and outside the restaurant. It has also been recommended to ensure separate entry and exit points for patrons and staff.

The shoppers are required to maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet when queuing up for entry into a mall or a restaurant. Precautionary measures and adequate checks and balances have to be ensured where handling inventories and goods. The seating arrangement of diners should be such that adequate physical distance is maintained between diners. Under no circumstances, restaurants can operate with more than 50% seating capacity.

Moreover, the use of disposable menus, high-quality paper napkins, and contactless ordering and payment modes need to be encouraged by the management. The food courts have been advised to sanitise dining tables, kitchens, hand-washing stations, and washrooms at regular intervals. Safe disposal of used gloves, face covers, and masks must be ensured by the management. Employees who are at high risk should not be allowed to work as front-line staff.

According to MHA, posters, videos highlighting the preventive measures to contain the spread of the Wuhan Coronavirus must be displayed prominently. The management must also restrict the number of people using elevators to adhere to social distancing guidelines. In no case, a large gathering of people should be allowed to assemble.

States issue directives

The Arvind Kejriwal-led-Delhi-Government had announced that banquets halls and hotels will remain unoperational from June 8. The State Government had decided to open its borders with Harayana and Uttar Pradesh from Monday. In a controversial decision, the Delhi Government has reportedly announced that the State-run hospitals would be available to only residents of Delhi and outsiders. According to Arvind Kejriwal, the State will need around 15,000 hospital beds by June.

The Karnataka Government has asked pregnant women, children below 10 years and senior citizens above the age of 65 to cooperate with the administration and stay at home. The State has directed the reopening of all places of worship to the public. Cleanliness and hygiene need to be maintained by the management within the temple premises. Besides, hand sanitisers should be provided and thermal screening of devotees will be done.

Markings should be made to ensure adherence to social distancing protocols. Devotees need to wear masks and have advised to not touch pillars, walls and statues. The State Government has directed devotees to download the Aarogya Setu app and keep their footwear in their vehicles and not within the temple premises.

Temples to reopen

Reportedly, about 1300 temples under the Malabar Devaswom Board will open its gates to devotees on June 9, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Union Government. All places of worship were directed to shut operations on March 24 with the enforcement of the first phase of the lockdown. After a gap of 2.5 months, temples are now preparing to welcome the attendance of devotees.

According to President N Vasu of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), only devotees wearing masks or face covers would be allowed to enter the temple premises. Besides, guards will be deployed to ensure compliance of social distancing measures at the time of entry. The devotees will also be provided with sanitiser dispensers. Besides, devotees will be allowed in batches and ‘Prasadam,’ ‘teertham’ and ‘nivedyam’ will not be provided. The devotees need to register online and non-localites have been asked to upload test results from accredited laboratory. At one time, only 50 devotees will be allowed inside the temple for darshan at one time. Children and adults below 10 years and above 65 years respectively cannot register online.

Country reopens with Unlock 1.0

On May 30, the MHA issued new guidelines for the phased reopening of the country after the fourth phase of lockdown ends on May 31. In addition, the decree also stated that the lockdown in containment zones will continue to remain in force for another month till June 30. The phase of re-opening, called ‘Unlock 1’, focused on restarting the economic activities in the country. The night curfew timings were also revised from earlier 7 PM to 7 AM to 9 PM to 5 AM. Furthermore, the Home Ministry had removed all the restrictions of the interstate and intra-state movement of people. But the new guidelines concerning night curfew timing would have to be followed.

New York City Mayor lifts curfew to ‘restart’ just two days after health experts encourage mass gathering amid Coronavirus pandemic for anti-racism protests

OpIndia Staff
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New York City Mayor lifts curfew to ‘restart’ just two days after health experts encourage mass gathering amid Coronavirus pandemic for anti-racism protests

Mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio, has decided to life the curfew, days after USA suffered widespread riots in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd. He said that it was the first “big step” to restart.

The decision to lift the curfew in New York City comes a couple of days after ‘health experts’ defended the mass gatherings at the anti-racism protests and even encouraged the protesters. However, they made it clear that only mass gatherings at anti-racism protests were permissible and people still could not be granted permission for attending the funerals of the deceased in their families.

The letter, which was signed by over 1200 public health experts, focused on the inevitable harm mass gatherings would cause. It said, “We created the letter in response to emerging narratives that seemed to malign demonstrations as risky for the public health because of Covid-19.” “Instead, we wanted to present a narrative that prioritizes opposition to racism as vital to the public health, including the epidemic response. We believe that the way forward is not to suppress protests in the name of public health but to respond to protesters demands in the name of public health, thereby addressing multiple public health crises,” it added.

The letter states further, “However, as public health advocates, we do not condemn these gatherings as risky for COVID-19 transmission. We support them as vital to the national public health and to the threatened health specifically of Black people in the United States. We can show that support by facilitating safest protesting practices without detracting from demonstrators’ ability to gather and demand change. This should not be confused with a permissive stance on all gatherings, particularly protests against stay-home orders.”

Politicians of a liberal hue, too, continue to emphasise on the importance of these protests and encourage it while continuing lockdown and emphasising on social distancing. Some professors on epidemiology have also claimed that the dangers of ‘systemic racism’ is far greater than the threat posed by the virus.

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