Lockdown announcement
The Centre is expected to provide on Saturday details of a third extension to the nationwide lockdown to curb coronavirus, which was imposed on March 25. Popularly referred to as lockdown 4.0, the new regulations will continue the curbs that were to be in place until May 17.
The Hindu reported that the "lockdown is likely to be extended till May 30 with considerable relaxations in the Green and Orange Zones". Prime Minister Narendra Modi had sought suggestions from state governments on how to maintain curbs to reduce spread of coronavirus. The Hindu quoted an official as saying, "lockdown 4.0 would be more about implementing its 'spirit' than imposing restrictions".
Second phase of Vande Bharat repatriation mission
The second leg of the Vande Bharat mission to bring back Indian nationals from across the globe, who have been stranded following lockdowns imposed due to COVID-19, will begin from Saturday and continue until May 22.
According to government officials, as many as 32,000 Indians will be brought home from 31 countries. The second phase will continue to focus on the Gulf, US and UK, and also operate flights to Indonesia, Thailand, Italy, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Nigeria, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Georgia, Tajikistan and Armenia.
Given the scale of the requirement, there will have to be several more phases of the Vande Bharat mission.
Liquor shops to reopen in TN
Colour-coded tokens, which specify the time and day of the week, are ready for distribution to consumers to buy liquor at state-owned outlets in Tamil Nadu that are set to open on Saturday. The liquor outlets start sales from Saturday in non-containment areas, except in Chennai Police limits and Thiruvallur district limits, a press note said.
The Supreme Court's order earlier on Friday paved the way for resumption of liquor sale in Tamil Nadu through Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation retail vends. As per the new arrangement, those seeking to buy liquor will have to get a token first and only then they could make the purchase on the date and time specified, an office-bearer of a TASMAC workers association said on Friday.
Shops would be open 10am to 5pm and only 500 tokens would be issued to the public per day per shop, the release added.
Odisha districts on alert for impending cyclone
At least 12 districts in Odisha are on alert as a depression in the Bay of Bengal is set to intensify into Cyclone 'Amphan' by Saturday evening.
“It is very likely to move north-westward initially till May 17 and then re-curve north-north-eastward towards northern Bay of Bengal between May 18-20," the IMD said in a press release. Amphan is expected to affect parts of West Bengal, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
The Odisha government ordered a state of alert in 12 coastal districts of the state on Friday. Collectors were ordered to prepare shelters for people and fishermen were asked not to venture into the south and the central Bay of Bengal.
Pakistan to resume domestic flights
The Pakistan government has allowed domestic flights to resume in a phased manner from Saturday as the country continues to emerge from a coronavirus lockdown. The government announced 20 per cent air operation will be started and only 50 per cent seats will be offered to follow the social distancing policy.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Serene Air will operate in the morning and afternoon. A media report said that 68 flights will operate from Jinnah International Airport, Karachi; 32 from Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore; 32 from Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad; eight from Quetta International Airport, Quetta, and four from Bacha Khan International Airport, Peshawar.
