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Tourism ministry extends period of approval/classifications of hotels

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New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of Tourism today said that it is extending validity period of Approval or Classifications of hotels and other accommodation units till June 30.

The ministry said that it has taken the decision considering the current situation when the hospitality industry is going through a very difficult time in the wake of COVID-19 Pandemic and lockdown.

The Ministry classifies hotels under the star rating system to conform to the expected standards for different classes of tourists. The classification and certification is valid for a period of five years.

“It has been decided that validity of approval or certifications of hotels and other accommodation units whose project approvals/reapprovals and classification/reclassification have expired/are likely to expire during the period (24.03.2020 to 29.6.2020) are deemed to be extended till 30.06.2020,” the ministry said in a statement.

Apart form this, the Ministry has a scheme of approving Travel Agents, Tour Operators, Adventure Tour Operators, Domestic Tour Operators and Tourist Transport Operators etc. the idea being to encourage quality, standard and service in these categories so as to promote Tourism in India.

Due to postponement of inspection work and application scrutiny during the lockdown period from March 2020 onward in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry has decided to allow six months’ relaxation or extension to all categories of Tour Operators (Inbound, Domestic, Adventure) Travel Agents and Tourist Transport Operators for their approval with the Ministry of Tourism subject to the following conditions: –

(i) The previous approval expired or the current approval expires during the period of 20th March, 2020 (i.e. the date of issuance of order by the Ministry for discontinuation of inspection work by India Tourism offices) till continuation of lockdown, and

(ii) They applied for renewal before expiry of their current/previous approval.

Under the classification system by the Ministry, hotels are given a rating, from One Star to Three Star, Four and Five Star with or without alcohol, Five Star Deluxe, Heritage (Basic), Heritage (Classic), Heritage (Grand), Legacy Vintage (Basic), Legacy Vintage (Classic), Legacy Vintage (Grand) and Apartment Hotels, Home stays, Guest house etc. The classification/ certification is valid for period of five years.

Tough time for cardamom growers in Kerala amid Covid-19 lockdown

New Delhi (NVI): The Covid-19 outbreak has hit cardamom cultivators in Kerala very hard as they find themselves in a difficult situation due to the nationwide lockdown.

In Kerala, which leads the country in total cardamom production, 30000 Ha (Hectare Unit) of cardamom cultivation is estimated to have affected due to lockdown, according to the Spices Board of India, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Cultural and plant protection operations have been hindered in the plantations due to restrictions imposed, creating inadequate labour resources, seriously affecting the final round of harvesting, post harvesting operations, etc, according to the Spices Board.

“The entire system of production and supply links were disrupted causing economic loss to the stakeholders in many ways,” the board said in a statement.

Farmers and traders were worried about the low demand, decline in price and deterioration in quality due to storage over long period.

However, Spices Board developed an SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) to be followed in the cardamom plantations and proposed schemes/programmes for interim relief to various stakeholders in the industry which has been submitted to the Ministry of Commerce & Industry for approval.

Apart from that the Board has successfully resolved the issues faced in the export of small cardamom to Saudi Arabia recently. This has spurted a new wake in the sector to facilitate better price realization, the board said in a statement.

The Spices Board is the nodal agency for marketing of Indian spices in domestic and global markets. Recently, the board was also looking at the option of online auction of cardamom to help mitigate the impact of Covid-19 crisis.

Besides this, there have been many discussions on medicinal properties of spices and the Board has proposed for the development of commercially viable nutraceutical products based on these properties. The Board has said that currently, sustaining the production, export of spices, ensuring quality and food safety are of paramount importance.

“Hence emphasis will be given on food safety in all nodes of the supply chain and production and exports of organic products, the Board said, adding that it is in the process of suitably modifying the existing schemes in this regard.

Spain to reopen for foreign tourists from July 1

New Delhi (NVI): The government of Spain has said that it is planning to allow foreign tourists in the country from July. The Spanish government’s decision comes as it eases lockdown measures in Madrid and Barcelona.

The government expects that the two-week quarantine imposed on overseas travelers will be suspended by that time.

Spain’s Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya on Monday in a tweet said, “The worst is behind us. In July we will gradually open Spain to international tourists, lift the quarantine, ensure the highest standards of health safety. We look forward 2 welcoming you!”

Under current restrictions, visitors from abroad must isolate themselves for two weeks on arrival, making leisure trips virtually impossible.

Spain’s Tourism Minister Reyes Maroto yesterday said that the policy would be relaxed in July.

The world’s second-most visited nation closed its doors and beaches in March to handle the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, later imposing a two-week quarantine on overseas visitors.

Now, it is gradually easing a strict lockdown though it has kept a quarantine for visitors so as to prevent a second wave of infections.

Tourism is a critical part of the country’s economy. Spain is the world’s second-most visited nation and normally draws some 80 million visitors per year, over 12 per cent of gross domestic product and an even bigger share of jobs.

At present, bars and restaurants in Madrid and Barcelona were allowed to open outside spaces at half capacity from Monday. But many stayed closed as owners weighed the value of catering to just a few.

Notably, Spain has been highly affected by the deadly pandemic, with a total of 26,834 deaths so far. However, the death toll has been below 100 in the country for the past nine days. A total of 235,000 deaths have been recorded while 150,000 have recovered.

No plan of creating a separate Himachal Regiment, Army busts rumors

The Army has requested people to guard against such misinformation and fake messages.(Representational Image)

New Delhi (NVI): A viral message is circulating on social media about the creation of a separate Himachal Regiment having headquarter at Kangra district of the state.

Taking note of the viral Facebook Post by the page titled- ‘Himachali Boys & girls’, the Indian Army has said that the message is fake and they have no plans to come up with a separate regiment for the state.

“There are NO such plan of creating a separate Himachal Regiment in the #IndianArmy. These Social Media messages are fake and untrue,” the Army tweeted through its official ADGPI Twitter handle.

The Army has requested people to guard against such misinformation and fake messages.

“Messages on Social Media are circulating about the creation of a #Himachal #Regiment having headquarters at #Kangra.

Request guard against misinformation and #Fake messages,” the Army said in another tweet.

In 2019, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur had urged Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to create a Himalayan Regiment in the Army, in a bid to provide employment to youths in his state. However, there has been no indication of the creation of such regiment by the Army or Defence Ministry so far.

Covid-19: Elderly man dies at Srinagar hospital, J&K death toll at 24

Srinagar(NVI): A 90-year-old man who was suffering from Covid-19 breathed his last at a Srinagar hospital this morning, Jammu and Kashmir health officials said.

With the fresh death, the total number of deaths due to Covid in J&K has reached 24 of which 21 were reported in Kashmir and 3 in the Jammu region.

Medical Superintendent of Police SKIMS, Soura hospital Dr Farooq Ahmed Jan said that the deceased was a resident of Kulgam district of South Kashmir. “He was referred to SKIMS from Government Medical College Anantnag. His samples were taken immediately after his admission in the hospital which came positive today morning,” he said.

He said that the condition of the patient deteriorated in the isolation ward of SKIMS on Monday afternoon and he breathed his last on the same evening.

Dr Jan said that the patient was suffering from pneumonia and had a history of chest disease.

The body of the deceased has been sent to his native village in Kulgam while following proper Covid-19 protocols. Hospital sources said that his family has been informed that only a few close relations should attend the funeral and take part in his burial while wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

New Delhi (NVI): Coronavirus cases in India continue to surge with Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat being the worst affected states in the country.

The total number of positive coronavirus cases in India has reached 1,45,380 while a total of 4,167 deaths have been reported so far, according to Union Health Ministry tally.

Maharashtra has reported over 52,000 confirmed cases so far.

The first confirmed coronavirus case in India was reported in the state of Kerala on January 30. Since then, the virus has tightened its grip across the country.

Total positive cases in States/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 33

Andhra Pradesh- 3,110

Arunachal Pradesh- 2

Assam- 526

Bihar- 2,730

Chandigarh- 238

Chhattisgarh- 291

Dadar Nagar Haveli- 2

Delhi- 14,053

Gujarat- 14,460

Goa- 67

Haryana– 1,184

Himachal Pradesh- 223

Jammu and Kashmir- 1,668

Jharkhand- 377

Karnataka- 2,182

Kerala- 896

Ladakh- 52

Madhya Pradesh- 6,859

Maharashtra- 52,667

Manipur- 39

Meghalaya- 14

Mizoram- 1

Nagaland- 3

Odisha- 1,438

Puducherry- 41

Punjab- 2,060

Rajasthan- 7,300

Sikkim- 1

Tamil Nadu- 17,082

Telangana- 1,920

Tripura- 194

Uttarakhand- 349

Uttar Pradesh- 6,532

West Bengal – 3,816

State/UT wise total death toll:

Andhra Pradesh- 56

Assam- 4

Bihar- 13

Chandigarh- 3

Delhi- 276

Gujarat- 888

Haryana- 16

Himachal Pradesh- 5

Jammu and Kashmir- 23

Jharkhand- 4

Karnataka- 44

Kerala- 5

Madhya Pradesh- 300

Maharashtra- 1,695

Meghalaya- 1

Odisha- 7

Puducherry- 1

Punjab- 40

Rajasthan- 167

Tamil Nadu- 118

Telangana- 56

Uttar Pradesh- 165

Uttarakhand- 3

West Bengal- 278

A total of 60,491 people have been cured or discharged from hospitals in India. There are around 80,722 active cases currently, according to the Health Ministry.

Coronavirus cases nearing 5.5 million globally; death toll tops 3,46,000

Coronavirus cases

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases is nearing 5.5 million around the globe with the total number of deaths have exceeded 3,46,000, according to John Hopkins University tally.

In Brazil, daily coronavirus deaths were higher than fatalities in the United States for the first time over the last 24 hours, according to the country’s Health Ministry.

Brazil registered 807 deaths over the last 24 hours, whereas 620 died in the US.

Brazil has the second worst outbreak in the world, with 374,898 cases, behind the US with 1.6 million cases. Total deaths in the US has reached 98,223, compared with Brazil at 23,473.

Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus cases in Russia has climbed to 353,427, with 8,946 new infections in the past 24 hours.

In addition to this, Saudi Arabia will loosen its curfew for everywhere but Mecca from Thursday, according to the state news agency.

The World Health Organization has warned of the risks of an “immediate second peak” as countries ease up on lockdowns, urging governments in Europe and the US to step up surveillance, testing and tracking measures to keep the disease under control.

India’s COVID tally crosses 1.45 lakh; death toll 4,167

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New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India has risen to 1,45,380 while the death toll due to the virus has gone up to 4,167, according to the Union Health Ministry.

In the past 24 hours, 6,535 fresh COVID-19 infections and 146 more deaths were reported.

At least 60,490 patients have been cured of the virus or discharged, the ministry said.

Maharashtra continues to be the worst-affected state with 52,667 coronavirus cases and 1,695 deaths.

Tamil Nadu is the second-worst hit in the country with 17,082 cases followed by Gujarat with 14,460 positive cases.

The other worst affected states are Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

The death toll in Delhi surged to 276. While another 6,771 patients in the national captial have recovered, healthy ministry data shows.

So far, only the union territories of Lakshadweep and Daman and Diu have reported no cases and remain free of coronavirus.

Apart from this, Nagaland registered it’s first coronavirus positive cases as three people who returned to the state from Chennai tested positive for the virus.

PM speaks to Bangladesh’s Sheikh Hasina

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today had a telephonic conversation with Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina and conveyed greetings to her and on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. PM Modi also extended Eid greetings to the people of Bangladesh.

The two leaders shared their assessment of the damage caused by Cyclone Amphan in both countries, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.

They also discussed the COVID pandemic situation and the ongoing collaboration between the two countries in this regard. Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s support to Bangladesh in addressing these challenges, PMO said.

Apart from this, the PM also talked to Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and conveyed greetings on Eid-ul-Fitr to the Government and people of the UAE.


The two leaders expressed satisfaction about the effective cooperation between the two countries during the COVID-19 pandemic situation. Prime Minister Modi thanked the Crown Prince for the support extended to Indian citizens in UAE, the PMO said.

At 8,000 tests per day, J&K No. 1 in Covid testing in country: UT Govt

Jammu (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir government today said that the UT is conducting the highest number of Covid-19 tests– at 8,000 per day– in the country.

At a press conference in Jammu, Principal Secretary and J&K government spokesman Rohit Kansal said that at a testing rate of over 10,000 per million, J&K has now become number one in the country in testing.

“The testing capacity in the UT has gone up from just about 100 tests/day in March to 8000 tests/day today. In the last one month alone it has gone up from 1800 tests/day to 8100/day – an increase of 350 per cent,” Kansal said.

He said that aggressive and sustained testing is the only effective weapon against the disease and the administration shall continue to pursue it effectively.

On the efforts of the administration in combating the situation arising out of coronavirus and the COVID-19 pandemic for the last more than 8 weeks, Kansal said that the Government has taken a slew of measures on the health, economic and welfare fronts.

“Jammu and Kashmir was probably one of the first states or UTs to take note of the emerging situation and initiate action and many of our interventions have not only been fast but effective too.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in J&K is 1,668, out of which 1,374 are from Kashmir division and 294 are from Jammu division. The number of active cases is 836 of which 620 are in Kashmir Division and 216 are in Jammu division. As many as 809 recoveries which include young children and 23 deaths have also been reported.

A total of over 1.34 lakh persons have been enlisted for surveillance out of which over 72,000 have completed mandatory period of surveillance. 47 new Covid positive cases have been reported today, out of which 33 cases are from Jammu division and 14 cases are from Kashmir.

Kansal pointed out that while J&K had been able to achieve a low growth rate and a doubling rate of over 3 weeks, this should not become a cause of complacency.

Reminding that effective lockdown, strong containment policy, aggressive testing and cooperation by the people of J&K has played a key role in containment of COVID 19, the spokesperson said that there is no room for any laxity.

The spokesman said that at least two districts have seen a considerable increase in cases even when there are no returnees. “In fact, there are many areas where the positivity rate of cases is much higher for local population than for returnees,” he said.

He said that over 90,000 stranded persons have already returned to J&K in the last 4 weeks alone. They include 66,024 persons by road, 25,400 by 30 Shramik special and COVID special Rajdhani trains and 652 persons by air.

“J&K is the one state/UT which has smoothly completed more than 85% of its evacuation process. The government has consciously adopted a policy of testing 100 per cent of all returnees. All the returnees are being tested, and as a result of the strategy the administration has been successful in tracing 481 positive cases so far.”

Emphasizing on the importance of economy and livelihoods, Kansal said that UT Government has issued SoPs for the reopening of markets, industry and trade. Similarly, SOPs have been issued for returnees and passengers.

“But as responsible citizens, we need to realize that any complacency or letting down of the guard can cost us very dearly. In red zones and containment zones, there is a need to be vigilant otherwise all the efforts of the last 2 months will be wasted,” he cautioned.

The spokesperson appealed people to stay at home and go out of their homes only if it is absolutely necessary and follow the advisories, wear a mask, and practice social distancing. “Remember, the virus is alive, it is active and it has given no relaxation. So, our self-restraint and discipline must continue,” he said.

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