Coronavirus are a large family of viruses known to causes illnesses ranging from the common cold to the more severe ones like MERS and SARS. A novel coronavirus (nCov) is a new strain of coronavirus that has previously not been identified in humans. It has been suggested that nCov originated from Wuhan’s seafood market but the exact animal source of this outbreak is not definitively known.

By Dr. Phani Kumar Gorantla (12 years of experience) of Apollo Clinic

Human coronaviruses most commonly spread from an infected person to another as follows:

By Dr. Phani Kumar Gorantla (12 years of experience) of Apollo Clinic

Currently, there is no evidence that companion animals including pets like cats and dogs can be infected with the coronavirus. But it is advisable to always wash hands properly with soap and water after coming in contact with pets, and also avoid touching animal droppings with hands.

By Dr. Phani Kumar Gorantla (12 years of experience) of Apollo Clinic

Yes, about 40-60% of infected people don’t tend to show external symptoms like cold, cough, fever, etc. (asymptomatic) during the incubation period. Therefore, they might be infected and spreading the virus despite looking healthy.

By Dr. Phani Kumar Gorantla (12 years of experience) of Apollo Clinic

Vitamin C is useful for increasing general immunity of the body which helps against all infections including Coronavirus. However, it doesn’t particularly help to prevent getting coronavirus as such.

By Dr. Phani Kumar Gorantla (12 years of experience) of Apollo Clinic

In case of mild symptoms or while traveling in crowded places or through public transport, wearing a mask is advised. Masks are not required for those who are not infected/not showing symptoms but are required by only those who are showing symptoms and need to travel using public transport.

By Dr. Phani Kumar Gorantla (12 years of experience) of Apollo Clinic

The prescription and medical documents are sufficient. For any other help, contact the 104 (medical helpline) or the local DCP and present his case.

First, you should check if the OPD is open. It will be better if nonemergency appointments can be rescheduled. If required, you can call 104 (medical helpline) and request help.

You can visit the doctor by carrying a prescription along with the appointment card with you. First check if the clinic is open or not.

A prescription from the hospital is enough for a pregnant woman. Otherwise, you can get a movement pass.

For emergency travel pass, you can contact the Greater Chennai Corporation at 044-25384530 or their toll-free helpline 1800 1205 55550. Alternatively, you can also contact the zonal officer for the same. Contact of the official is available on the Greater Chennai Corporation website.

You can go for medicines by showing the prescription

By Delhi Police

You can call 112 or the COVID helpline, provide location details and seek assistance in reaching hospital. We will help you commute on priority. No pass is required, the medical documents are sufficient.

By Delhi Police

You can go to the clinic by showing your medical documents but confirm your appointment with the clinic before going.

By Delhi Police

During lockdown period, any kind of social gathering is strictly prohibited. Further, as per the latest data, some patients of Covid-19 continue to be infectious even after the successful completion of their treatment. So, it is recommended that you maintain social distance at this point.

By Dr. Yogesh Singh Kaurav, senior medical consultant

For non-proven cases of Covid-19, only symptomatic management with self-quarantine at home is recommended. Most of the symptoms can be due to simple flu and can get cured after conservative management. You can contact the coronavirus helpline again, if the symptoms worsen.

By Dr. Yogesh Singh Kaurav, senior medical consultant

Health officials are trying to give the report within a day. It may get delayed by a day or two in some cases, but if someone is not informed about the outcome of the test for several days, it must be because the test report has come back as negative.

By Spokesperson, COVID response – Madhya Pradesh govt

There are no lockdown restrictions on medical grounds. Please carry your medical file with you and the police will let you pass.

By TOI Editorial, in consultation with police authorities in various cities

You should wear a mask every time you step out. If you are wearing a cloth mask, you need to wash and dry it every time before using again. Do not use surgical masks for this purpose, as it is not re-usable, and any traces of contamination/ virus will stay on the surface for several days.

By Dr. Devi Shetty, Senior Cardiologist, Founder and Chairman of Narayana Health

You can get an authorisation letter from the hospital that you service and then apply for a movement pass on its basis to provide essential services to hospitals.

By TOI Editorial, in consultation with police authorities from various cities

You can apply for a movement pass on the basis of your medical documents

By TOI Editorial, in consultation with police authorities from various cities

No RWA can stop any newspaper from being circulated. The print and visual media personnel are in essential services. If there is any such complaint, it should be brought to the police"s notice.

The Delhi Police spokesperson, Additional Commissioner

Thermal scanners are effective only in detecting those people who have a fever, but it doesn’t detect those who are infected but not yet showing symptoms of the infection. This is because it takes anywhere between 2-10 days for those who are infected to start showing symptoms like fever. Still, it’s a good practice to install thermal scanners in societies in order to detect people with clear symptoms like fever.

Dr. Phani Kumar Gorantla (12 years of experience) of Apollo Clinic

Vegetable vendors need to get a movement pass issued for hassle-free movement.

The Delhi Police spokesperson, Additional Commissioner

Elder citizens, especially with pre-existing conditions like diabetes, asthma, etc. are more susceptible to this infection, therefore it is advised for them to avoid physical contact like handshakes while maintaining good personal hygiene and washing hands properly with soap and water or sanitizers. But they can take walks within the society premises and should maintain at least 2 meters distance from others and wear a mask in case of mild symptoms like cold and cough. They are also advised to avoid all social gatherings at least for the next couple of weeks.

Dr. Phani Kumar Gorantla (12 years of experience) of Apollo Clinic

The government has advised not using publicly open places like gyms within the societies. If used, all such surfaces of common society equipment including in the gyms and playground should be properly cleaned with disinfectants like ethanol, isopropyl, isopropanol, hydrogen peroxide, etc.

Dr. Phani Kumar Gorantla (12 years of experience) of Apollo Clinic

It is okay for children to play outside, but it is strongly advised to avoid playing in a group. If they need to do so, they should wear a mask and maintain a minimum 2 meters of physical distance. Swimming pools must also be avoided. Playing in closed areas using common indoor playing equipment should be allowed only if all the surfaces are properly disinfected.

Dr. Phani Kumar Gorantla (12 years of experience) of Apollo Clinic

For the next couple of weeks, it’s advised to get residents to collect food deliveries at the Society gate itself. If you must order food deliveries, use disinfectants on the food package to clean the surfaces before opening and using them.

Dr. Phani Kumar Gorantla (12 years of experience) of Apollo Clinic

Anyone who has recently returned from international trips but not yet showing any symptoms should also self-isolate themselves at home and limit physical contact with family members for at least 14 days to determine whether they are infected or not. In case any symptoms start showing up, maintain at least 2 meters of physical distance with everyone and visit your nearest physician.

Dr. Phani Kumar Gorantla (12 years of experience) of Apollo Clinic

It’s not about any RWA banning them. The domestic helps need to stay home as well. If there is an emergency, then the doctor or hospital concerned can facilitate movement with a pass.

No. People are required to stay indoors.

These don’t come under essential services. In case of an urgent need to fix a leaking tap, the plumber can request for a movement pass. The RWA or society can also coordinate these services.

No. Yoga can be done at home but no movement in public spaces is allowed.

Walking the pets in community spaces is prohibited. You can walk them just outside your house but not at any public space.

House helps are also required to stay at home.

Avoid cash-on-delivery and opt for cashless deliveries. The collection of deliveries should be done at the society gate in a structured way, where people come to pick their orders one after the other. Proper waste management practices should be followed in societies as well.

RWAs cannot stop e-commerce persons. If you still have problems, you can call the Delhi Police helpline on 011-23469526.

By Delhi Police

As of now, they don’t come under essential services. But in case where a patient requires AC service or repair, one can apply for the movement pass.

By Delhi Police

No, newspapers have been registered as essential services. There is no problem with delivery of newspapers.

By Bengaluru Police

If food delivery services are operational in your city, yes. The delivery agents have been provided with movement passes to facilitate their travel.

By TOI Editorial, after consulting police authorities from various cities

You may venture out of your society to buy essentials on foot. Police will not question them

By Gujarat Police (for Ahmedabad and Vadodara cities)

Kindly provide details on our COVID helpline 23469526 and a pass can be provided.

By Delhi Police

Public should not stop volunteers from feeding strays. Police has launched an initiative through which people can register with the Friends of Police (FOP) website and acquire necessary permission. Volunteers can register on the FOP website as a volunteer, and mention ‘stray dog feeder’ in the column marked ‘field of expertise’. Once registered, they can send an email to the FOP convenor with their name, location and the approximate number of animals they plan to feed on raghunaathen172@gmail.com

By Chennai City Police

For vegetables, CMDA has introduced a scheme wherein people can call or place orders online or log into food delivery apps or access fruits and vegetables directly from the Koyembedu Wholesale Market Complex, which would be delivered at the doorstep. The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority is available on the following numbers: 7305050541, 7305050542, 73, 05050543, 7305050544, 9025653376 and 044-24791133 for placing orders. For groceries, residents can contact shopkeepers in the respective zones of the Greater Chennai Corporation. The list is available online

By Greater Chennai Corporation

Contact the concerned DCP. You can also alert the COVID helpline for your city or dial the police at 100.

By TOI Editorial, in consultation with police authorities from various cities

You have to maintain proper distance and use masks and other protective gear. The person visiting for work should also wear a mask and wash their hands or use a sanitizer on entering the house. This has been detailed in the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Kindly go through it

By TOI Editorial, in consultation with police and healthcare professionals

Newspapers have to be delivered and nobody should stop them. Bring this to the concern of the DCP concerned. You can also contact the control room (100) or the COVID helpline number at 080-2296-7200.

By Bengaluru City Police

If the illness is chronic, It is advised to postpone the visit. Only emergency cases are being attended to at present.

By AIIMS

It’s an automated process. For all trains cancelled by Railways, the refund on e-tickets is full and automatic. Only if the user has cancelled his e-ticket, he may get a lesser refund due to the automated system. In that case, passengers can raise a query. Railways advise passengers not to cancel their tickets for cancelled trains.

By Railways

You should carry your hospital prescription and medical file while going for dialysis. If it’s on fixed dates, then you can also get movement passes made from the local DCP office after producing the prescription.

The Delhi Police spokesperson, Additional Commissioner

If the victim needs assistance, then you can present your case to the local DCP office and request for a movement pass to travel.

The Delhi Police spokesperson, Additional Commissioner

All non-essential travel is discouraged during the lockdown. That said, permission can be taken from the local DCP.

Each airline has a different policy and you will have to check with your concerned airline what it is offering. Few airlines are willing to directly credit the refund to your account. They prefer to give ‘online credit’ which can be used to book another flight later in the year. Rescheduling your flight free of cost is another option. Please check with your airline.

For all trains cancelled between March 22 and April 14, refunds are being given in full. IRCTC says the refund process is already underway and the entire amount will be returned. Only those who had cancelled their tickets early have received a partial refund but they too will be getting back the amount.

By Railways

You can go to your nearest ATM or bank in your locality. If there is an issue, the person can apply for a movement pass.

She should stay there. Non-emergency movement is not allowed.

At present, it has been decided that no passes will expire during the period of lockdown and no penalty will be deducted from those whose passes expire at the time. A decision will be taken after the lock down ends.

By Metropolitan Transport Corporation, Chennai

If unable to pay online, pay the challan after the lockdown is lifted

By Delhi Police

Non-essential services are not permitted. However, if it’s an urgent need you can contact the local DCP office for help.

By Delhi Police

The validity of documents, such as a driving licence, fitness, permit and registration, that have expired or are expiring between February 1 and June 30 has been extended till June 30. The state will follow the advisory of the Centre on this.

By Transport Department, Karnataka

You can apply for the movement pass online under emergency section and go to office for salary disbursement.

By Bengaluru City Police

Pet shops have been allowed to remain open. You can check online as well.

By Bengaluru City Police

You can go out at any time but go to the nearest shop in your locality. Don’t go far.

By Delhi Police

Yes, she is allowed to go

By Chennai City Police

The best and easiest option is digital, which can be exercised not just by using net banking but multiple payment options, including debit cards and digital payment wallets. Customers can renew policies without any online registration. We do have an arrangement with a bank and our agents can help the customer in depositing the cheque into our account. Those who are not able to renew their health insurance policies during the lockdown, IRDAI has allowed insurers to condone delay in renewal up to 30 days

By Rajeev Kumar, Chief Risk Offer, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance

You can commute by showing your hospital ID card. In case there is any issue, kindly inform the police control room

By Bengaluru City Police

This does not come under essential service as of now. However, if someone is getting contaminated water and is at a health risk, you can present your case at the local DCP office

By Delhi Police

It would not be advisable to travel from Chennai to Bengaluru as the lockdown is yet to be lifted in both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. You should arrange for your father to stay with relatives or friends till the lock down ends.

By Chennai City Police

If the employees are working for an essential service, they can travel or else they have to remain at home.

By Bengaluru City Police

You can approach the Joint Commissioner of Police, South Chennai, at St. Thomas Mount. On weekdays, an employee can visit the office and collect permission to take the laptops. If your work deals with services like back-end banking operations, limited number of staff shall be allowed to visit office everyday for which exclusive passes are issued from the Joint Commissioner’s office

By Chennai City Police

You will need to check with the courier service if they are operating. Some are operating with permission.

By Delhi Police

To buy milk and vegetables, walking is advised. If there’s an issue, you can take the vehicle, but only to the nearest shop.

By Delhi Police

No gathering is allowed during the lockdown. However, you can present your case to the local DCP

By Delhi Police

No, changes were made hoping to tighten the lockdown, improving the home delivery system, so that people don’t have to come out from their homes. But it seems to have not worked to the satisfaction of people, therefore we are going back to the old system of letting grocery shops operate.

By Bhopal District Administration

She can indeed commute to the hospital. Please carry the ID card and the hospital authorization letter

By Delhi Police

You can try applying online. If there is an issue, please wait for the lockdown to be lifted

By TOI Editorial, in consultation with authorities in various cities

You can check if the payment date has been extended. If not apply online for a pass or contact the DCP of your locality

By TOI Editorial, in consultation with police authorities in various cities

You can call the police and provide specific details for action.

By TOI Editorial, in consultation with police authorities in various cities

Most states allow an online registration of will now. You can register it online.

By TOI Editorial, in consultation with police authorities in various cities

You can try applying online. If there is an issue, please wait for the lockdown to be lifted

By TOI Editorial, in consultation with authorities in various cities

Please contact DCP IGI Airport for clarification and then you can apply for a movement pass

By Delhi Police

Chennai Corporation has announced that the ‘essential services’ vehicle pass given to service providers, industries and employees of bank staff, which was valid until April 15 is automatically extended up to May 3.

By Greater Chennai Corporation