Tech & Science World’s Biggest Lockdown Prompts Tycoons to Seek India Rate Cuts

South Korea's Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun (C) presides over a daily meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on COVID-19 amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, in Sejong, central South Korea, on March 24.

President Donald Trump speaks about the coronavirus at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on March 23.

French visitors talk on the phone and wave at friends on board the MSC Magnifica, which is berthed at the Fremantle Passenger Terminal in Australia on March 24. The MSC Magnifica arrived on the morning of March 24 as the police and border force officers monitored the ship amid concerns over COVID-19 to ensure neither the crew nor passengers disembarked while the ship refueled.

A station worker touches a sign at a deserted train station during the morning rush hour after New South Wales began shutting down non-essential businesses and moving toward harsh penalties to enforce self-isolation as the spread of the virus reached a "critical stage" in Sydney, Australia, on March 24.

Football Federation Australia (FFA) Chief Executive Officer James Johnson speaks to the media during a press conference in Sydney, Australia, on March 24. Johnson said that the rest of the A-League soccer season has been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

American Airlines passenger planes are parked on a runway due to flight reductions in an effort to contain the spread of coronavirus, at the Tulsa International Airport in Oklahoma, U.S., on March 23.

A volunteer sprays disinfectant in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus outbreak, in Peshawar, Pakistan, on March 23.

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection police officer walks by members of the "Psalm 100" evangelical church, dressed as angels and holding placards, during a demonstration at the Paso del Norte international border bridge, as seen from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on March 23.

A soldier guides passengers arriving from Turin and Milan by train at the Naples Central station as they wait to get their self-certification documents checked, in Italy on March 22.

A man walks around a local park in Weehawken, New Jersey, U.S., on March 22.

Passengers ride a subway after the city's emergency alert level for COVID-19 was downgraded, in Shanghai, China, on March 23.

People sit on social distancing benches at a bus station in Thailand on March 22.

Caution tape is put at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after all city park playgrounds were closed in Everett, Washington, U.S., on March 22.

Workers spray disinfectant solution near a Simón Bolívar Statue in Caracas, Venezuela, on March 22.

People walk on a pedestrian street near Zócalo, in Mexico City, Mexico, on March 22.

People queue outside a benefits payment center in Sydney, Australia, on March 23.

An empty avenue is seen after the government of Guatemala announced curfews in Guatemala City, on March 22.

Due to flight reductions, Delta Air Lines 737 passenger planes are seen lined up on a runway at the Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia, U.S., on March 21.

A man plays guitar and sings to his neighbors from his balcony two days after California’s Governor Gavin Newsom implemented a state wide "stay at home order" in Oakland, California, U.S., on March 21.

A man walks past posters promoting the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, on March 23.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike speaks during a press conference about COVID-19 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government office in Japan on March 23.

Australian senators practice social distancing as they attend a scaled-down session in the Senate chamber at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on March 23.

A sign on Interstate 5 advises people to stay home and limit travel, in Lakewood, Washington, U.S., on March 22.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a COVID-19 task force briefing at the White House, in Washington, D.C., U.S, on March 22.

Cuban doctors receive Cuban and Italian flags during a farewell ceremony before departing to Italy to assist, in Havana, Cuba, on March 21.

A member of the Royal Malaysia Police checks a document on a vehicle entering the city during the control of movement in Kuala Lumpur on March 22.

A general view of deserted roads is seen during a one-day Janata (civil) curfew near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, India, on March 22.

Trajineras (boats) are parked in Xochimilco due to a lack of clients as Mexico's health ministry urged people to maintain a "healthy distance" to avoid infection, in Mexico City, Mexico, on March 21.

DJ and event producer Nash Petrovic live streams a set from his roof in Brooklyn, New York, U.S., on March 21.

A health worker wearing a facemask checks the body temperature of passengers leaving from the airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 22.

A bus drives on an empty street as people abide by the mandatory 12-day social isolation, to curb the spread of COVID-19, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on March 21.

A man walks along a usually busy Fremont Street after casinos were ordered to shut down in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., on March 21.

People shelter in their suburban homes in San Marcos, California, U.S., on March 21.

Workers in protective suits walk on the street during the national quarantine in Caracas, Venezuela, on March 21.

Journalists practice social distancing outside a meeting to wrap up work on coronavirus economic aid legislation in Washington, D.C., U.S., on March 21.

A water cannon of the Bolivarian National Riot Police sprays disinfectant into the streets during the national quarantine in Caracas, Venezuela, on March 21.

People line up to enter a supermarket, after Bolivia's interim government announced a countrywide mandatory quarantine for 14 days in La Paz, Bolivia, on March 21.

A view of an empty Bondi Beach in Australia after authorities closed the popular spot on March 22.

A woman walks through an empty street outside the Public Market, amid the COVID-19 outbreak, in Seattle, Washington, U.S., on March 20.

People applaud during the inauguration of the intensive care tent of a newly operative field hospital, financed by U.S. disaster relief NGO Samaritan's Purse, for coronavirus patients, in Milan, Italy, on March 20.

A customer wearing a face mask stands next to partially empty shelves of instant noodles at a supermarket, following COVID-19 outbreak, in Taipei, Taiwan, on March 21.

Health workers wearing facemasks spray disinfectant at the corporation office in Chennai, India, on March 20.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern holds up information on COVID-19 alert levels during a press conference in Wellington, New Zealand, on March 21.

An elderly woman wearing a protective face mask is sprayed with a disinfectant bleach solution by a soldier at the entrance of a food market in Caracas, Venezuela, on March 20.

Health services staff members protest outside the Txagorritxu Hospital demanding more protection equipment, after a Spanish nurse died the previous day from COVID-19, in Vitoria, Spain, on March 20.

A man wearing a face mask directs the homeless for food donations, a day after California's Governor Gavin Newsom implemented a statewide "stay at home order" directing the state's nearly 40 million residents to stay in their homes for the foreseeable future in the face of the fast-spreading coronavirus disease, outside the Glide Memorial Methodist Church in San Francisco, California, U.S., on March 20.

A sign urging commuters to avoid gatherings, reduce crowding and to wash hands is seen in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, New York, U.S., on March 19.

A worker wearing protective gear disinfects a shopping district in Seoul, South Korea, on March 20.

A traffic sign beside a motorway reads "Schleswig-Holstein is closed for tourists," amid the outbreak of COVID-19, in Hamburg, Germany, on March 20.

A woman uses a hand sanitizer dispenser on the beach in Santa Monica, California, U.S., on March 19.

A restaurant is seen empty amid the COVID-19 outbreak in São Paulo, Brazil, on March 19.

A woman checks the temperature of a man at the entrance of American University, in Managua, Nicaragua, on March 19, after the country reported its first case of coronavirus.

An airport security worker wearing protective gear looks at a screen showing international departures at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport in China on March 19.

U.S. President Donald Trump (L) and Vice President Mike Pence attend a teleconference with governors to discuss partnerships to “prepare, mitigate and respond to COVID-19," at the headquarters of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) amid coronavirus fears, in Washington, D.C., U.S. on March 19.

Canadian Border Services Agency officers stand in front of two closed checkpoints after it was announced that the border would close to "non-essential traffic" to combat the spread of novel coronavirus disease, at the U.S.-Canada border crossing at the Thousand Islands Bridge in Lansdowne, Canada, on March 19.

City workers wearing protective suits disinfect a street in Manila, Philippines, on March 19.

A woman carries out an exercise class for her neighbors from her balcony while they cannot leave their homes due to the coronavirus disease outbreak, in Rome, Italy, on March 18.

The statue of Christ the Redeemer is lit up in the colors of the countries that are affected by the coronavirus outbreak, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on March 18.

People walk along the Las Vegas Strip, devoid of the usual crowds after casinos were ordered to shut down, in Nevada, U.S., on March 18.

A passenger on board a quiet Jubilee Line tube train, as commuters switch to working from home and people are urged to avoid social contact to prevent the spread of coronavirus, in London, England, on March 18. 

Police struggle to enforce India's sweeping virus lockdown

Police struggle to enforce India's sweeping virus lockdownOfficial assurances that essentials wouldn't run out clashed with people's fears that the disease toll could soon worsen, gutting food and other critical supplies.

World ' s biggest lockdown prompts tycoons to seek India rate cuts . 24 Mar 2020. India will suspend all domestic flights from midnight India ’s top entrepreneurs and bankers have urged policy makers to immediately slash interest rates by as much as a full percentage point, transfer cash to the

As the government considers a possible fifth phase of lockdown , social media is abuzz with memes and jokes. As the month of May is coming to an end, Indians on social media are speculating if the nationwide lockdown will be extended further.

A worker wearing a protective suit disinfects a customer's hands at the entrance of a public market in Caracas, Venezuela, on March 18.

England's Prime Minister Boris Johnson addresses a news conference to give a daily update on the government's response to the outbreak of novel coronavirus COVID-19, inside 10 Downing Street in London, England, on March 18.

A sign that reads "Items per customer limited to 3" is seen in a supermarket, as the government announced measures to alleviate the effect of the deadly virus, in Antiguo Cuscatlán, El Salvador, on March 18.

A commuter wears a mask as a precaution whilst travelling on an underground metro train in the morning in central London, England, on March 18.

A sign in the window of a Pret A Manger in London, England, tells customers that the seating area is closed and the store is takeaway service only due to the COVID-19 outbreak, on March 18. 

People, wearing face masks as a preventive measure, wait to cross a road in Bangkok, Thailand, on March 17.

Stokes preparing for IPL despite likely virus shutdown

England all-rounder Ben Stokes says he is preparing to play in the Indian Premier League, even though he knows the tournament is unlikely to go ahead. Stokes has signed to play for Rajasthan Royals and is one of 13 English players set to feature in the IPL.

India is embarking on an 18-day extension of total lockdown as confirmed cases of Covid-19 The eagerness to reopen businesses where possible is unsurprising, given the economic impact the world ' s largest lockdown is slated to have. The overall unemployment rate has already doubled to 14.5

India has been under lockdown since March 24. At 8 p.m. that night, Modi announced on TV that in Nevertheless, as cases rise in the world ' s most densely populated country, a lockdown continues to be Nurses seek better protective measures. Neither the prime minister nor the health minister has

A man waits for his flight as he wears protective mask, at the airport in Málaga, Spain, on March 17.

A Red Cross personnel sprays disinfectant at a department store in Jakarta, Indonesia, on March 17.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks to media at a press conference following a COVID-19 financial response package announcement, in Wellington, New Zealand, on March 17.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with G7 leaders during a teleconference while under self-isolation, due to his wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau testing positive for COVID-19, in his home at Rideau Cottage in Ottawa, Canada, on March 16.

Expatriates returning from Egypt, Syria and Lebanon arrive to be re-tested at a health ministry containment and screening zone for COVID-19, in Kuwait City, Kuwait, on March 16.

Leading lung expert John F. Murray dies of same condition he spent years treating after being infected with coronavirus

John F. Murray was a key figure in defining and treating ARDS, a common killer among critically ill patients hospitalized with COVID-19. The new virus often targets the lungs and can cause respiratory problems including bronchitis and pneumonia. In a small number of severe cases, ARDS develops.Murray was instrumental in redefining the medical community's approach to the treatment of lung diseases and helped lead a surge of new doctors to the field, Philip Hopewell told USA TODAY.

Local workers clean the streets as a precautionary measure in Concepción, Chile, on March 16.

A resident wearing a facemask walks past a graffiti of Buddha wearing a facemask, in Mumbai, India, on March 16.

A worker in a protective suit sprays disinfectants near Al-Abbas shrine as a precaution against the outbreak of coronavirus, in the holy city of Karbala, Iraq, on March 15.

A worker closes a restaurant early due to COVID-19 related restrictions in the French Quarter neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S., on March 15.

A deliveryman rides an electric scooter in the empty Larios street during the partial lockdown as part of a 15-day state of emergency to combat the COVID-19 outbreak, in Malaga, Spain, on March 15.

Police officers and troops are seen wearing face masks as they stand guard at a checkpoint in the outskirts of Metro Manila, Philippines, on March 15, as authorities began implementing a lockdown in Manila.

For many Indians in lockdown, the biggest concern isn't coronavirus; it's hunger

The biggest lockdown in human history - 1.3 billion Indians ordered to stay home to curb the spread of the coronavirus - has unleashed chaos across the country as stranded migrant workers sleep in city streets, police beat curfew-breakers, fruits and vegetables rot in markets, and masses of informal labourers find their livelihoods wiped out. The first two days of the lockdown imposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi have thrown the lives of some of India’s poorest people into disarray.

People wearing face masks are seen near the Venezuelan-Colombia border after the Colombian government decided to close the Simón Bolívar International Bridge as a preventive measure, in San Antonio del Táchira, Venezuela, on March 14.

A woman has her body temperature checked at an outpatient hospital in Moscow, Russia, on March 14.

A student demonstrates how to wash hands during an awareness campaign about COVID-19 at a school in Chennai, India, on March 14.

A girl leans out of a window to applaud in Milan, Italy, on March 14, as a sign of solidarity in response to calls circulating on social media for people to ''gather'' on their balconies at certain hours, either to play music or to give each other a round of applause.

A pharmacist fixes a banner in Catalan, which reads "No masks, no alcohol, no clear hand gel" in a pharmacy in Barcelona, Spain, on March 14.

A sign indicates that the National Gallery of Art has been closed to the public due to the coronavirus threat in Washington D.C., U.S., on March 14.

A video displays a message from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that reads "Keep Calm and Wash Your Hands" on the Gallery Place Metro subway train platform in Washington, D.C., U.S., on March 13.

Firefighters disinfect a street in western Tehran, Iran, on March 13.

'It is becoming a nightmare': Coronavirus deaths in Spain surge by 832 in 24 hours

The number of people to have died after testing positive for coronavirus in Spain has surged by 832 to 5,690. A further 8,189 cases were detected in the country in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 72,248.Professor Julio Mayol, medical director at the Clinico San Carlos Hospital in Madrid, has told Sky News he fears more and more healthcare professionals fighting the illness will become infected.He said: "It is a bad situation, it is really bad and it is getting worse day by day, because the number of positive COVID-19 patients is increasing.

The Eiffel Tower is seen next to a board that reads: “In the context of the COVID-19 the Eiffel Tower closes today from 9pm for an indefinite period of time” in Paris, France, on March 13.

People hoping to leave Manila before it is placed on lockdown flock at a bus station in Quezon city, Metro Manila, Philippines, on March 13.

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi delivers a statement on a coronavirus economic aid package ahead of a vote in the House of Representatives at Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., on March 13.

A man takes a picture of a poster of the artist TVBoy depicting Uncle Sam calling on people to stay home on March 13, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. 

Visitors take photos at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, U.S., on March 13. Disneyland is closing its doors for the rest of the month, shuttering one of the state's best-known attractions.

Peru's Alianza Lima and Argentina's Racing Club play the Copa Libertadores match at the Presidente Perón Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on March 12. The match was played in an empty, closed-door stadium as part of the government's measures to contain transmission of coronavirus.

A misting machine sprays anti-septic solution to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at a public school in Marikina, Philippines, on March 13. 

A general view of the pit lane as the Australian Grand Prix was cancelled after a McLaren team member tested positive for coronavirus in Melbourne, Australia, on March 13.

A nearly deserted view of the Red Fort complex as people avoid crowded places in New Delhi, India, on March 12.

A sign that reads 'Closed for tours and visits in view of COVID-19 situation' hangs outside the Masjid Sultan in Singapore on March 13. 

People coming from Venezuela with protective face masks as a precautionary measure to avoid contracting the virus, show their documents on the border at Simon Bolivar International Bridge, in Cucuta, Colombia, on March 12.     

People line up to purchase goods at a downtown Trader Joe's as more cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Manhattan, in New York City, New York, U.S. on March 12.   

Fans leave the Golden 1 Center after an NBA game between New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings was postponed in Sacramento, California, U.S., on March 11. 

Warne names his all-time Ashes squad

Australian cricket great Shane Warne has treated cricket fans on Instagram live by naming his all-time Ashes XI.Warne yesterday picked his all-time Test XI for the Australian players he played with, but now he's gone one step further and named a combined Ashes XI.

Customers shop inside a wholesale store as measures were put in due to coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns, in San Salvador, El Salvador, on March 11.

Cleaning crew have their masks wiped down after they come out of Life Care Center of Kirkland in Washington, U.S., on March 11.

Employees from a disinfection service company sanitize a subway car depot amid coronavirus outbreak in Seoul, South Korea, on March 11.

A COVID-19 testing center at the Reactivating the Repat Hospital is seen on March 11 in Adelaide, Australia. Patients book ahead, then arrive and stay in their vehicle and wait to be swabbed by nurses before driving off. Test results are then sent to the patient's GP later.

Chinese President Xi Jinping learns about the hospital's operations, treatment of patients, protection for medical workers and scientific research at the Huoshenshan Hospital in Wuhan, China, on March 10.

Palestinian workers disinfect a public park in Gaza City, Gaza, on March 10.

A medical official walks inside a plane while taking the body temperature of passengers, who arrived on a flight from New York City, New York, U.S., at the Boryspil International Airport outside Kiev, Ukraine, on March 10.

Race goers use hand sanitiser installed at Cheltenham Racecourse in Cheltenham, England, on March 10.

A passenger from the Grand Princess, a cruise ship carrying multiple people who have tested positive for COVID-19 washes his hands before boarding a chartered plane in Oakland, California, U.S., on March 10.

Voters arrive with masks at Warren E. Bow Elementary School in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., on March 10.

A health worker sprays disinfectant outside the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, Vietnam, on March 10.

A woman wearing a protective face mask walks on an almost empty street in Yokohama, Japan, on March 10.

Passengers of the cruise ship Grand Princess look from the balconies of their cabins as tests for COVID-19 are conducted and arrangements are made to offload passengers while the vessel docks at the Port of Oakland, California, U.S., on March 9.

A man arriving into an office building gets his temperature measured by a private security guard in New Delhi, India, on March 9.

South Korean army soldiers spray disinfectant on a street in Seoul, South Korea, on March 9.

A mask-clad worker disinfects an area in New Taipei City, Taiwan, on March 9.

A steward walks inside the Allianz Stadium before the Serie A match between Juventus F.C. and Inter Milan was being played behind closed doors, in Turin, Italy, on March 8.

Passengers look out from balconies aboard the Grand Princess as it cruises a holding pattern about 25 miles off the coast of San Francisco, California, U.S. on March 8. At least 21 passengers on the ship have reportedly been affected with the coronavirus.

People in face masks walk on St. Peter's Square as Pope Francis delivers his weekly Angelus prayer via video, due to coronavirus concerns, in Vatican City on March 8.

Protesters are sprayed with disinfectant during a rally demanding women's right on the occasion of International Women's Day at Tahrir Square in Baghdad, Iraq, on March 8.

A nurse shows her protective equipment at Villa Nueva hospital, where patients carrying the virus will be cared for, in Villa Nueva, Guatemala, on March 7.

Visitors wearing protective masks line up in front of the Louvre Museum in Paris, France, on March 4. 

The U.S. White House coronavirus response coordinator Dr. Deborah L. Birx attends a press briefing, as Vice President Mike Pence looks on, in the White House on March 2. As of March 3, six people had died in the state and at least 100 confirmed cases were reported across the country.

A Brazilian scientists, who is among those that concluded coronavirus DNA sequencing, inserts a tube into a portable device connected to a computer that decodes virus DNA, at the Tropical Medicine Institute of the São Paulo University Medical School in Brazil on March 2.

Rescue workers wearing masks and protective clothing check a man's temperature during a mock drill on handling suspected carriers of the coronavirus, in Peshawar, Pakistan, on March 2.

Bruce Aylward of the World Health Organization (WHO) attends a news conference on the WHO-China Joint Mission on coronavirus in Beijing, on Feb. 24. 

U.N. Secretary General António Guterres speaks during an update on the situation at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, on Feb. 24. 

A reveler wears protective face mask at the Venice Carnival, the last days of which were called off after third death was reported in the country, in Italy on Feb. 23.

Buddhist monks wearing protective face masks pray during a blessing ceremony for the people affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, at a temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Feb. 22.

Members of Red Cross board a Colombian Air Force plane that will evacuate the citizens from coronavirus-hit China, at the CATAM military base in Bogota, Colombia, on Feb. 22.

Indians who were airlifted from Wuhan wait to collect their release certificates before leaving the ITBP quarantine facility in New Delhi, India, on Feb. 17.

Military medics stand in a formation after deplaning from a transport aircraft of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) at the Tianhe International Airport in Wuhan, China, on Feb. 17.

A teacher gives a lecture with the help of her smart phone during an online class at a middle school in Donghai, China, on Feb. 17.

Pictures of Pakistani students studying in Wuhan, China, are displayed by their family members during a demonstration in Lahore, Pakistan, on Feb. 16. The family members are demanding the evacuation of their relatives.

Members of an emergency team participate in a drill to prepare for the potential arrival of passengers infected with the coronavirus at the Viru Viru International Airport, in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, on Feb. 6. 

Airport security staff checks passengers using a thermal sensor screen at the Hong Kong International Airport on Feb. 6. 

Workers in protective gear are seen on Japan Coast Guard boats in Yokohama, on Feb. 5, bringing patients from the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship.

Beds are set up at an exhibition center, which was converted into a hospital, in Wuhan on Feb. 4. 

Director-General of World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, takes part in a news conference after a meeting of the International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee to discuss about the outbreak of Pneumonia in China and other countries due to the 2019-nCoV, in Geneva, on Jan. 22.

People are seen inside a store wearing face masks while shopping in a supermarket in Southampton, England, on March 18.