Punjab cabinet unanimously approves extension of lockdown in state till May 1

Confirming extension of the lockdown to fight Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Punjab cabinet on Friday, unanimously approved extension of state lockdown till April 30. The state's special chief Secretary KBS Sidhu, informed that the current lockdown has been extended for an additional 21 days from Friday, ordering strict enforcement of the same. Currently, India's Coronavirus (COVID-19) is at 6761 - with Punjab reporting 101 cases.

ICMR revises COVID-19 testing strategy to include 'testing clusters using anti-body tests'

Punjab extends lockdown

Tamil Nadu & Punjab mull extending lockdown post-April 14 ahead of PM Modi's CM conference

Punjab mulls extension

Sources report that CM Captain Amarinder Singh has already asked a high-powered committee to plan for an exit strategy on lockdown. But sources added that the chief minister is seriously contemplating the extension of lockdown, but will take a decision only after cabinet meeting. Apart from these Punjab - Odisha, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Telangana, Delhi, Tamil Nadu are major states also mulling extending the lockdown. While the Centre has maintained that it has not decided on extension, the Prime Minister is scheduled to speak with all CMs on Saturday prior to the end of national lockdown.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Assam reports first COVID death, 

Markaz & Punjab

The Nizamuddin Markaz event which almost amounts to 30% of India's COVID-19 tally has majorly contributed to the state's COVID-19 tally. Punjab is yet to track several attendees who are in hiding and has threatened action against those who fail to reveal their travel history. Apart from Markaz woes, Punjab is also tracing 64,000 NRIs who have come back to India in the past 4-5 months.

ICMR allows tuberculosis testing machine to screen for COVID-19 as cases soar to 6412

Coronavirus crisis in India

As of date, 6039 active cases have been reported of the pandemic Coronavirus (COVID-19) - 515 have been discharged and Maharashtra reported the highest at 1364. 206 deaths have been reported till date. India has suspended all visas and barred travel from Afghanistan, Philippines, EU, UK, China, Malaysia and mandatory 14-day quarantine from several other countries. The Prime Minister has issued a 21-day countrywide lockdown starting from 23 March to April 15 and the Finance Minister has announced a Rs 1.7 lakh crore package under the 'PM Gareeb Kalyan Scheme'. With the rise in the number of cases, the Centre and several states are mulling extending lockdown.