STAMPED! As Coronavirus Cases Surge In Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray Govt To Mark Those In Home Quarantine

With Maharashtra topping the list of coronavirus cases in India, Udhhav Thackeray government has come up with a unique initiative to curb the surge and spread awareness about the COVID-19 disease. The Maharashtra government will stamp those who are under home quarantine. News Nation has learnt that indelible ink will be used to stamp the individuals on their land hand. 'Proud to protect', says the stamp. It also has the region and the date till which the person will be told to stay in home quarantine. The measure is seen as an effort to spread awareness and inspire people to stay as much inside their homes as possible. Maharashtra has already banned large gatherings and announced the closure of schools, colleges, gyms, spas and swimming pools to minimise the community movement. (Coronavirus Pandemic: LIVE UPDATES)

The Bombay High Court has also decided to change the day-to-day functioning due to coronavirus. In a notice, a copy of which is with News Nation, the High Court administration has decided that till March 20, all courts will function only between 12 and 2 pm to take up urgent matters only. A similar directive has already been issued by the Supreme Court of India. Only six benches are functioning in the top court.

Delhi has so far reported seven positive cases while Uttar Pradesh has recorded 15 cases including one foreigner. Karnataka has 8 coronavirus patients while Maharashtra 39 including 3 foreigners. Ladakh has reported four cases while Jammu and Kashmir three. Telangana has reported four cases. Rajasthan has also reported four cases including that of two foreigners.

Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab have reported one case each. Odhisha reported its first case on Monday. In Haryana all the fourteen infected with the virus are foreigners while Uttarakhand has reported one case. Kerala has recorded 24 cases including two foreign nationals. The number also includes three patients who were discharged last month after they recovered from the contagious infection with flu-like symptoms. According to the ministry's data, 13 people have been discharged so far, including the three Kerala patients.

(With agency inputs)