The death toll due to COVID-19 rose to 17 in the country on Friday and the number of coronavirus cases climbed to 724, according to the Health Ministry.
Leading private sector carrier SpiceJet on Friday offered services of its aircraft and crew members to the government for operating some flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Patna to alleviate the suffering of migrant workers, especially those from Bihar.
His remarks came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown which forced the migrant labourers to leave the city by foot for their homes.
SpiceJet Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh said, “We are already flying food, medicines and medical equipment for government every day. We would love to alleviate the suffering of these migrant workers especially those from Bihar by flying some flights between Delhi/Mumbai and Patna.”
On government’s request, the SpiceJet operated a special charter flight from Delhi to Coimbatore on Friday.
“The flight was operated at a very short notice and carried a Hazmat suit. This will help local authorities replicate and start local manufacturing,” the carrier said.
“We will do as much as we can to help our government and fellow citizens in the fight to defeat coronavirus. Corona warriors all over the country – be it our doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, the police, volunteers – and our government is doing an excellent job. We at SpiceJet are proud and honoured to help our government and people in whatever small way we can,” Mr Singh added. The domestic and international passenger flights have been banned till April 14 midnight.
India has imposed a 21-day lockdown, which came into force on Wednesday, to check the spread of the virus which has claimed 17 lives and infected over 720 people so far.
Indian Navy’s Long Range Maritime Reconnaisence Aircraft Ilyushin 38SD (IL-38) on Friday delivered a shipment of 60,000 face masks from Delhi to Goa, which was stuck here as trucks could not proceed further in the current situation of lockdown.
Indian Medical Association, Goa (IMA) had ordered the face masks to offset the shortfall but due to nationwide lockdown across the country, the trucks got stuck in Delhi.
The IMA President made a request to Indian Navy at Goa for facilitating transportation, an Indian Navy spokesperson said.
Accordingly, an Ilyushin 38SD was promptly readied to depart INS Hansa for Palam Airport here. The collection of the items at Delhi was coordinated by Air Force Station Palam and the aircraft returned to Goa with the masks the same day.
India has imposed a 21-day lockdown, which came into force on Wednesday, to check the spread of the virus which has claimed 17 lives and infected over 720 people so far.
Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar on Friday donated Rs 50 lakh to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, which has so far claimed 17 Indian lives and wreaked havoc globally. The iconic batsman also took to Twitter to urge fellow countrymen to not ostracize any fellow citizen who might have contracted the dreaded virus. Tendulkar’s donation is so far the biggest contribution among India’s leading sportspersons, some of whom have pledged their salaries while a few others have donated medical equipment to fight the dreaded outbreak, which has caused more than 24,000 deaths globally.
Badminton World Federation said it is “disappointing” that some players, including Indian star Saina Nehwal, questioned its “sincerity and motives” when it continued with the All England Championships despite the rapid-growing threat of COVID-19 pandemic. BWF’s decision to conduct the Super 1000 tournament in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak came for sharp criticism from the top shuttlers of the world, including London Olympics bronze medallist Nehwal, who had accused the sport’s administrators of placing money above players’ safety.
The All England Club will hold an emergency meeting next week to discuss the possible postponement or even cancellation of Wimbledon in the light of the coronavirus pandemic.
