NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — India’s 40 day nationwide lockdown has helped to stop the spread of COVID-19, as the doubling rate of cases reduced from 3 days at the start of the crisis to 10 days now.
But there’s enormous concern over the Indian economy, as Prime Minister Modi tries to restart it without risking a deadly resurgence. India’s unemployment rate surged to 23% and the International Labour Organization warned more than 400 million Indians are at risk of falling deeper into poverty.
The emergency loan program to help small businesses, known as the Paycheck Protection Program, reopened with $310 billion in new funding. But technology glitches hampered users, leaving many entrepreneurs fearful funds could evaporate once again before they can get their loan approved.
Indian American attorney Harmeet Dhillon filed a lawsuit against the state of California on behalf of three churches who say their 1st Amendment rights were violated by the state’s shelter-in-place order banning public gatherings of any size.
And Google in India is working closely with the Indian government to provide information to people affected by COVID-19 on where they can find food and shelter through Google Maps, Search and Assistant.
Ravi Kapur contributed to this report.
