Coronavirus news highlights: MHA guidelines allow cinema halls to open from Oct 15; restaurants and bars set to open in Maharashtra

With that it's a wrap to the LIVE updates on the coronavirus pandemic for the day. Do join us tomorrow for the top developments on the COVID-19 situation from India and around the world. Until then, stay safe and good night.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Bengal reports 3,281 new COVID-19 cases, 59 more fatalities

At least 3,281 more people tested positive for COVID-19 in West Bengal on Wednesday, which raised the tally to 2,57,049, while 59 fatalities pushed the death toll in the state to 4,958, the health department said in its bulletin. Altogether 2,954 people have recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours, the bulletin said.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Mumbai adds record 2,654 COVID-19 cases in a day; 46 die

Mumbai on Wednesday reported 2,654 fresh COVID-19 cases, its highest singleday addition, taking the total tally to 2,05,142, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said, adding that 46 fatalities took the toll to 8,926. At 2,389, Mumbai had reported the highest number of new cases in a day on September 17, it said.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: 47 more deaths, 1,435 new cases in Punjab

Forty-seven more COVID-19 deaths were reported in Punjab on Wednesday, taking the toll in the state to 3,406, while 1,435 new cases pushed the infection tally to 1,13,886. Seven fatalities were reported in Hoshiarpur, six in Ludhiana, five each in Jalandhar and Mohali and four each in Bathinda and Gurdaspur, as per a medical bulletin issued here.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Nagaland reports 123 new COVID-19 cases, tally rises to 6,163

Nagaland reported 123 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, taking the state's coronavirus tally to 6,163, a health department official said. Of the 123 new cases, 68 were reported in Mon district followed by Dimapur (37), Kohima (16) and Tuensang district (2), said additional director of Health and Family welfare department, Dr Denis Hangsing in the daily COVID-19 bulletin.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: 4 deaths, 129 fresh virus cases in Chandigarh

Four more people died from coronavirus in Chandigarh on Wednesday as 129 fresh cases surfaced, pushing the infection tally to 11,938 in the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana. According to a medical bulletin, 162 have died due to the infection in the union territory till now.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: 4 deaths, 129 fresh virus cases in Chandigarh

Four more people died from coronavirus in Chandigarh on Wednesday as 129 fresh cases surfaced, pushing the infection tally to 11,938 in the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana. According to a medical bulletin, 162 have died due to the infection in the union territory till now.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: International commercial flights to remain suspended until Oct 31

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has decided to extend the suspension of international commercial flights till October 31. "International scheduled commercial passenger flights from India will remain suspended until Oct 31. The international cargo flights, passenger flights approved by Indian govt to continue," said the DGCA.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Restaurants, bars set to open from October 5 in Maharashtra

The Maharashtra government on Wednesday issued new guidelines for easing the flow of activities in the state as part of Mission Begin Again. Hotels/food courts/restaurants/bars will be allowed to operate from October 5 with a maximum of 50 percent capacity. Read here.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: MHA allows cinemas, entertainment parks to open from October 15

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) came out with its Unlock 5 set of guidelines allowing cinemas, theatres, multiplexes and entertainment parks to open from October 15. Separate standard operating procedure (SOP) guidelines will be issued with respect to the reopening. Read here.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Home Ministry issues new COVID-19 guidelines; cinema halls set to open with 50% capacity

The government has issued new guidelines in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are the key highlights:
- States, UTs can take a call on reopening schools & coaching centres post-October 15th in a graded manner
- Cinemas, theatres, multiplexes permitted to open with 50% seating from October 15 (outside containment zones)
- The SOP for cinema, theatre, multiplex opening to be issued by I&B ministry
- Entertainment parks and similar places permitted to open from October 15 outside containment zones
- B2B exhibitions permitted in open areas outside containment zones from oct 15
- Swimming pools being used for sportspersons to be permitted from Oct 15
- Lockdown to remain in force in containment zones till October 31

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Restaurants and bars set to open in Maharashtra; metro rail, cinema halls, schools to remain shut

Here are the important guidelines just released:
- Cinema halls, schools to remain closed in Maharashtra even the state announces new unlock guidelines
- Metro rail to remain on the prohibited list of activities in Maharashtra
- Hotels/food courts/restaurants/bars allowed to operate from Oct 5 with max 50% capacity.
- All industrial & mfg units of non-essential services allowed to operate
- Railways to increase the frequency of local trains in the MMR region to meet increased demand

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Gujarat's COVID-19 tally rises to 1,37,394 with 1,390

Gujarat's COVID-19 tally has risen to 1,37,394 with 1,390 new cases and 11 deaths taking the total toll to 3,453, according to the state health department. 

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Kerala logs single-day highest spike of 8,830 COVID-19 cases

Kerala on Wednesday reported a record a single-day high of 8,830 new COVID19 cases, taking the total infection count to 1,95,106. The state, where the COVID-19 cases were doubling on an average of every 20 days, also reported 23 deaths, taking the toll to 742.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Pondy govt staff told to contribute towards COVID-19 fund

The Finance Department here on Wednesday issued a circular requesting all employees of government departments, public sector undertakings, autonomous and local bodies to contribute their one-day salary to the COVID-19 Relief Fund. The circular listed the procedure of depositing the sum in the account opened by the government to mop up funds to manage the pandemic.