Coronavirus Pandemic: COVID-19 cases rise to 258 in India; Centre relaxes leave rules for officials over 50 yrs with diabetes & life-threatening illness

The total number of positive cases of Coronavirus in the country rose to 258. Of the total number of positive cases, 39 are foreigners. The latest data reported by the Ministry of Health and family welfare states that around twenty people who contracted the infection have been cured and few of them have also been discharged.

Meanwhile, the Union Government has taken further preventive measures to achieve physical distancing to contain the novel coronavirus outbreak. The government has decided to grant commuted leave without production of medical certificate up to 4th of next month to those officials who are above 50 years of age and have conditions like Diabetes, Respiratory problems and other life-threatening illness. The decision has been taken to avoid unnecessary burden on the health care system. The DoPT in its order said the contractual and outsourced staff may be allowed to attend office on a rotational basis without deduction of any wages for their absence from work up to April 4.

(With inputs from AIR and PIB)