india

Updated: Apr 25, 2020 18:11 IST

The Ministry of Health on Saturday evening updated the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 24,942. The figure includes 18,953 active cases, 5,209 patients who have been cured or discharged and 779 fatalities.

With this, the country’s coronavirus tally nears 25,000 cases. Maharashtra continues to be the state with the maximum number of coronavirus cases.

As per the ministry of health, the state accounts for 6,817 Covid-19 cases. 957 people in Maharashtra have recovered from Covid-19 while 301 patients have succumbed to death.

With 2,815 coronavirus cases, Gujarat stands second on the national Covid-19 tally followed by the national capital which has 2,514 coronavirus cases.

After Maharashtra, the highest number of recovered or discharged coronavirus patients come from Tamil Nadu. 866 patients have defeated the deadly contagion in the southern state. Delhi has the third-highest number of recovered coronavirus patients in the country with 857 people either cured or discharged.

In a late-night order on Friday, the government said that all neighbourhood shops and those in the residential areas have been allowed to reopen from today, except those in malls, amid the Covid-19 lockdown.

“All registered shops regd (registered) under Shops & Establishment Act of respective States/ UTs, including shops in residential complexes, neighborhood & standalone shops exempted from #lockdown restrictions,” the order read.

The government clarified that only standalone shops - those not a part of any market complex, a cluster of shops, or those inside malls - shall be allowed to open with only 50% of the staff. The staff at these shops must observe social distancing norms and wear masks.

The MHA stated that the directive does not exempt hair salons, barbershops and restaurants.

“In view of queries coming from various sections of society, it is clarified that ALL RESTAURANTS, SALONS & BARBER SHOPS would remain CLOSED. They render services & the relaxations given under #lockdown restrictions yesterday pertain only to shops selling items,” a tweet posted by Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs stated.