Punjab Home Department on Wednesday said that shops would remain open from 7 am to 3 pm in the State during the coronavirus-induced lockdown. "The State government has now decided that the shops will remain open from 7 am to 3 pm," said the state Home Department in a notification. "The district authorities shall ensure that there is no overcrowding and social distancing is maintained as already advised," adds the notification further. It, however, said that banks shall continue to open for public works only from 9 am to 1 pm but allowed to carry out their non-public dealing office work as per

British Columbians will move forward with safely restarting their province beginning in mid-May, according to a plan announced by Premier John Horgan. Under B.C.'s Restart Plan, government will work closely with public health officials, businesses and labour organizations to lift restrictions in phases, gradually allowing for more social and economic activity, while closely monitoring health information to minimize the risk to the public. "Our plan puts safety first. British Columbians have made enormous sacrifices so far, and it's thanks to them that we're able to begin to lift some restri

The province has announced 23 new cases of COVID-19, raising the total to 2,255 cases. Three more deaths have also been recorded. Two in the Vancouver Coastal Health region and one on Vancouver Island, for a total of 124 deaths. Two thirds of people who tested positive for the novel coronavirus have recovered. But chief health officer Doctor Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix say in a statement that cases would quickly surge without continued vigilance.

The U.K. has become the second country to record more than 30,000 deaths as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Robert Jenrick, the communities secretary, said at the government's daily briefing that another 649 people in the U.K. have died in all settings, including hospitals and care homes, after testing positive for the coronavirus. That takes the U.K.'s official death toll to 30,076, only behind the United States, which has more than 71,000 coronavirus-related deaths. The British government is expected to extend the lockdown restrictions on Thursday when they come up for review, partly

Police say Metro Vancouver gangs may be producing their own illegal drug supplies in an effort to get around border closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Vancouver police announced officers uncovered millions of dollars worth of drugs, including 20 kilograms of what's suspected to be fentanyl, as part of a four month investigation. Inspector Bill Spearn says police believe the seizure shows gangs may be producing their own drugs to get around closer scrutiny at ports and the Canada-US border. He says it's another example of gangs changing drug trafficking methods to deal with law enforcem

Six hearses lined up on the tarmac at Canadian Forces Base Trenton in Ontario today, as the Forces Members killed in Canada's worst military tragedy in more than a decade were welcomed home. The families of the dead and missing from last week's helicopter crash off Greece met privately with a mask-wearing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trudeau and Governor-General Julie Payette then watched as the casket carrying the remains of Sub-Lieutenant Abbigail Cowbrough was carried from a heavy transport aircraft. The body of the 23-year-old sailor is the only one recovered from the Ionian Sea. The se

Quebec is reporting an additional 112 deaths from COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 2,510. The total number of cases has risen to 34,327, an increase of 910 from the previous day. Of those cases, 8,284 are classified as recovered. There are 1,840 people in hospital, including 213 in intensive care. Deputy premier Genevieve Guilbault announced a $31-million government action plan to combat mental health impacts of the pandemic.

The chief public health officer has acknowledged that the number of deaths as a result of COVID-19 in Canada has now exceeded the national projections for potentially 3,883 deaths by May 5. Just over 4,100 people have died in Canada to date. Tam says the increased number of deaths is due to the tragic fact that those who were infected weeks ago are now coming to the end stages of COVID-19, and are passing away, most often those in long-term care facilities. But Dr. Theresa Tam points out that the epidemic still appears to be slowing down and that the doubling time for infections is now at abo

Major crimes detectives have joined a missing person investigation in British Columbia's Interior looking into the disappearance of a man that RCMP say is suspicious.Mounties in Quesnel say 33-year-old Louis Korkowski was last seen or heard from on May 4.Efforts to locate the five-foot four-inch, 110-pound man have led to a possible link with two vehicles, a green 2003 Ford Explorer and a grey 2007 Toyota Matrix.Police say the Explorer has a dented passenger door and licence plate KF087R, while the Matrix has black paint and peeling damage on the roof, sticker residue on the passenger door an