The consequences of COVID-19 have far-reaching consequences throughout the nation. The economically prosperous southern states are struggling to grapple with it.
Here are the following developments from the Southern part of the country:
1. Karnataka to bear the train costs of migrants up to May 31
Striking a positive chord with the migrant community in the state, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa announced on Friday that the state government will bear the train ticket costs of all migrant workers in the state who intend to return home.
He called the migrant workers an integral part of the state.
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2. GHMC to open up 25 more Dawakhanas
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has announced that it will be opening up 25 more Basti Dawakhanas in the city. Already 123 of them are functional.
These serve as treatment centres in the city, similar to the Mohalla clinics in New Delhi.
The State government statistics show that on an average 70-80 patients turn up at these places every day. These clinics are now fully functional.
3. 60 TASMAC shops to reopen in Chennai
The Tamil Nadu state government that was forced to shut down state led alcohol shops earlier, following an order of the Madras High Court has now said that 60 TASMAC shops will reopen on Saturday outside the non-containment zones.
Chennai continues to remain one of the worst affected hotspots in the country.
4. AP boosts the MSME sector in the state
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy announced that the Finance Department of the State will release about Rs 450 crores in payment to the MSME sector in the state. The sector has been severely impacted due to the lockdown in the state.
The CM also announced that all government employees will get their full salaries for the month of May.
5. Kerala makes it compulsory for domestic air travelers to be quarantined
Kerala Health Minister K Shailaja has said that those domestic air passengers entering the state will have to undergo the compulsory home quarantine. She said that most of the passengers will be arriving from the hotspots and hence a decision has been taken in this regard.