1. India’s coronavirus tally crossed the 20-lakh mark on Friday, as the country reported a record 62,538 new cases in the last 24 hours. The toll rose by 886 to 41,585. India’s total count is now 20,27,074, and over 10 lakh cases in the last 21 days. However, the number of recoveries also increased by a record 49,769, taking the total number of discharged persons to 13,78,105.
  2. The Ministry of Home Affairs allowed the entry of Overseas Citizenship of India cardholders from countries having “air bubble” arrangements with India.
  3. Maharashtra’s coronavirus tally rose to 4,90,262 after 10,483 new cases. The toll in the state went up by 300 to 17,092. Tamil Nadu recorded 5,880 new coronavirus cases and 119 deaths. The state’s tally rose to 2,85,024 and the toll reached 4,690. Andhra Pradesh’s case count rose to 2,06,960 after 1,20,464 recoveries and 1,842 deaths. The number of active cases stood at 84,654.
  4. The Madhya Pradesh government relaxed night curfew by two hours and restrictions will now apply from 10 pm to 5 am. The weekend lockdown has also been partially lifted in coronavirus-affected districts of state. Meanwhile, Manipur extended complete lockdown in the entire state till August 15 or until further orders.
  5. The Bombay High Court quashed two Maharashtra government resolutions to not allow cast and crew members above 65 years of age from entering film and television sets amid the coronavirus pandemic. A division bench of Justices SJ Kathawalla and Riyaz Chagla set aside the government resolutions issued on May 30 and June 23.
  6. Serum Institute of India said it has entered into a partnership with the international vaccine alliance Gavi, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to accelerate the manufacturing and delivery of up to 100 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines for India and other low income countries.
  7. The Delhi government extended the timings for opening of liquor shops in the national Capital by one hour. According to an order issued by the excise department on Thursday, liquor shops in the city will now open from 10 am to 10 pm instead of the earlier timing of 10 am to 9 pm.  
  8. The United States on Thursday lifted its highest advisory warning for American citizens against travelling abroad amid the coronavirus outbreak, saying conditions no longer warrant a blanket worldwide alert. Americans are still advised against travel to India because of the increasing coronavirus cases.
  9. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation made home quarantine for all domestic passengers arriving in Mumbai compulsory to tackle the coronavirus crisis. The civic body added that government officials wanting an exemption from this must write to it two days prior to the arrival.
  10. The global coronavirus count crossed 1.91 crore, according to the Johns Hopkins University. The toll rose to 7,15,013. More than 1.15 crore people have recovered.