India Coronavirus Updates, 22 August: JMM chief Shibu Soren tests positive; Karnataka CM says keep Mysuru Dasara celebrations low key

Centre asks states not to put restrictions on inter-state movement of people, goods

The Centre has asked all states to ensure that there should be no restrictions on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods during the ongoing unlocking process.

In a communication to chief secretaries of all states and Union Territories, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said there were reports that local level restrictions on movement were being imposed by various districts and states.

Drawing attention to the Unlock 3 guidelines, Bhalla said such restrictions are creating problems in inter-state movement of goods and services and are impacting supply chains, resulting in disruption in economic activity and employment.

JMM chief Shibu Soren, wife test positive for COVID-19

Rajya Sabha MP and JMM president Shibu Soren and wife Roopi have tested positive for COVID-19, his son and Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren said. Taking to Twitter, the CM said “respected father Dishom Guru ji” and mother were diagnosed with the disease on Friday night, and they were undergoing home quarantine.”

“The 76-year-old president of the ruling JMM in the state is revered as ‘guruji’ (master) by his followers. With the blessings of the people of Jharkhand and the entire country, they will soon be among us”, the CM tweeted. Official sources said seven other members in the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief’s household have also tested positive for the viral infection.

Mysuru Dasara this year to be low-key, says Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa

Mysuru Dasara celebration this year will be a low-key due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has said. “The 10-day Dasara festival starting from October 16-26 will be celebrated in a simple way with the COVID-19 restriction like maintaining social distance and prevent large gatherings in public places for containing the spread of coronavirus,” said Yediyurappa.

Mysuru Dasara is regarded as the state festival of Karnataka. Mysuru, a popular tourist destination in the country, usually sees many tourists during the Dasara celebration.  Grand processions, dance, music, torch parade, and more are showcased during the nine-day celebration, and on the 10th day (Vijayadashami), nine forms of the goddess are worshipped, which marks the end of the festival.

Lok Sabha MP in Odisha tests positive for Covid

Lok Sabha MP and ruling BJD leader Manjulata Mandal on Saturday said she has tested positive for coronavirus and requested people who recently came in contact with her to get themselves tested

Taking to Twitter, the Bhadrak MP said: “On getting the initial symptoms of #COVID19,I got the test done and the report came back positive. My health is fine and stable & I’m in home quarantine. I request that all of you who have come in contact with me in the last few days, please isolate yourself and get your test done.”

Mandal is the second parliamentarian in Odisha after BJP’s Bargarh MP Suresh Pujari to have contracted the disease. Earlier this week, state rural development minister Susanta Singh was also infected.

At least six MLAs have tested positive for the virus in the state over the past few months.

Gym owners protest near Delhi LG office to reopen fitness centres

Delhi police Saturday detained nearly a dozen gym owners protesting near the Lieutenant Governor’s office for permission to reopen fitness centres in the city, reported PTI.

“We want to request the Lt Governor to reopen gyms because it affects livelihood of over one lakh people employed in this medium-scale industry in Delhi. But police detained us and took us to Civil Lines police station,” said Chirag Sethi, the vice president of Delhi Gym Association, comprising of 4,000 small and medium entrepreneurs.

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority in a Covid-19 review meeting earlier this week approved reopening of hotels and weekly markets but did not allow gyms to restart.