FACT CHECK: Airlines, gyms, cinemas across India to be shut due to COVID?

GUWAHATI: On April 16, a 'notification' surfaced on social media platforms which makes it appear that the Centre has re-instated stringent curbs to arrest the spread of the novel coronavirus.

As per the 'notification', which is being shared heavily on the messaging tool WhatsApp, schools/colleges/universities, airways, trains, cinemas, shopping malls, gyms, religious places, parlours, etc, will be closed down from April 20-May 3.

It further adds that government offices, shops, banks, 'emergency health', highway dhabas, etc, will remain open during this period.

This notification -- which has surfaced at a time when businesses are slowly recouping losses incurred during the crippling lockdowns in 2020 -- has triggered widespread panic among the masses.

So, to what extent is it true?

An official in the know said that the notification is probably fake as the "Ministry of Home Affairs has not issued any such directives."

Also Read: 4 More COVID-19 Deaths Recorded In Assam; 573 Test Positive In 24 Hours

"We are yet to receive any such notifications from the central government issuing directives to contain the virus. Therefore, we cannot verify the authenticity of this so-called notification," the official said.

Secondly, the notification, apparently issued from Guwahati, Assam, does not bear any official insignia, which is a telltale sign that there is something fishy.

Thirdly, it is presented in an unprofessional manner, which would indicate that it is the work of some miscreant out to take advantage of the panic.

InsideNE appeals to all those who read this article to refrain from sharing/posting the so-called 'notice' until an official declaration is made by a competent authority.

India today registered the highest spike in COVID-19 with 2,34,692 new cases over the past 24 hours while 1,341 people succumbed to death.

However, despite the dramatic surge in cases as well as deaths, the government has refrained from imposing a lockdown as small businesses might not be able to survive another shutdown.

The Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India had been directed to look for possible sources to import 50,000 metric tonnes of medical oxygen as the sudden surge of COVID-19 positive cases has caused shortage of the same in the nation.

India has also become the second-worst COVID-19 hit country in the world with 1.45 crore cases so far and mounting fast.

This comes amid reports of an Indian strain of the virus that has undergone two mutations and is more infections than the original Wuhan strain.

As per worldometers info, the United States continues to lead the world -- both in the number of cases registered (32,305,912) and deaths (579,942).

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