Live news: Delhi government recommends ending weekend curfew, curbs on market

Live news updates: India reported 347,254 new cases of Covid-19 and 703 deaths from the disease, the health ministry said Friday.

The total number of cases rose to 38.57 million and the number of pandemic deaths stands at 488,396. Active cases now comprise 5.23 percent of total infections and the national recovery rate has fallen to 93.50 percent, the ministry said. The daily positivity rate increased from 16.41 percent to 17.94 percent.

The Delhi government on Friday recommended lifting the weekend curfew – from 10pm Friday to 5am Monday – as the number of Covid cases declines. Shops and commercial establishments, which were allowed to operate on an odd-numbered basis to limit crowds in public spaces, are now allowed to open all day, according to reports on the government’s proposal to Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal.

India wants a commitment Tesla on local electric vehicle production, officials said, days after Elon Musk said his company was “facing many challenges” with the government, the government wants an investment plan from the company ahead of any discussion of tax ops.