A total of 14,378 confirmed cases are reported for COVID-19 in the country. As many as 1992 persons i.e. is 13.82% of total cases have been cured/discharged after recovery. The implementation of the Action Plan is yielding good results in 23 States/UTs across 47 districts. Kodaggu (Karnataka) is a new district that has been added to this list along with Mahe (Puducherry) that has not reported any fresh cases during the last 28 days. 22 new districts in 12 States have not reported any fresh cases during the last 14 days.
Union Health Minister has urged hospitals to attend to critical non-COVID-19 patients with equal compassion in a resolute fight against sickness. He said keep sufficient blood stock for transfusion by promoting voluntary blood donors and utilising various services like mobile blood collection vans with the help of Indian Red Cross Society. He said that action would be taken against erring health care personnel if any patient needing immediate attention is turned away from hospitals without treatment.
In the wake of continuing COVID-19 outbreak in the country, MHA has decided to extend the suspension of all existing visas granted to foreigners, except to those belonging to diplomatic, official, UN/international organizations, employment and project categories, till 3rd May, 2020. MHA has further directed that all incoming passenger traffic into India through any of the 107 Immigration Check Posts shall remain suspended till 3rd May, 2020. However, no such restriction would apply to vehicles, planes, ships, conveyance, trains etc. carrying any goods and supplies whether essential or non-essential.
MHA, on 28.03.2020, had granted consular services on gratis basis to foreign nationals, presently residing in India due to travel restrictions in the context of COVID-19 outbreak, till 30th April, 2020. After considering the matter, it has been decided to extend the period of providing the following consular services by the Office of Foreigners Regional Registration Officers/ Foreigners Registration Officers to foreign nationals, presently stranded in India.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) today said that Income tax refunds to nearly 8.2 lakh small businesses (proprietors, firms, corporate and trusts) worth Rs 5,204 Crore have been issued since 8th April 2020. These income tax refunds would help MSMEs to carry on their business activities without pay cuts and layoffs in Covid-19 pandemic situations.
Government has reviewed the extant Foreign Direct Investment policy for curbing opportunistic takeovers/acquisitions of Indian companies due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and amended extant FDI policy as contained in Consolidated FDI Policy, 2017. Now, an entity of a country, which shares land border with India or where the beneficial owner of an investment into India is situated in or is a citizen of any such country, can invest only under the Government route.
Government defers testing of samples and updating approvals for tractors, tillers, harvesters and 51 agricultural machinery till year-end; license validity of Seed dealers and import permissions extended till September 2020, besides validity of pack-houses, processing units and treatment facilities expiring on 30th June extended by a year
