Viral Video Clip of an Asteroid approaching Earth & causing end of the world on April 29, 2020 – #FactCheck

Amid the ongoing Corona Virus Disease (CoViD-19) scare a new scare as engulfed the people. This new scare crops up from a news that first appeared on Daily Express & suggested that on April 29, the world is going to end as an asteroid as big as the Himalayas is going to hit the planet.

Amid the ongoing Corona Virus Disease (CoViD-19) scare a new scare as engulfed the people. This new scare crops up from a news that first appeared on Daily Express & suggested that on April 29, the world is going to end as an asteroid as big as the Himalayas is going to hit the planet.

The Claim

Some Facebook users posted a video clip about an asteroid approaching the Earth. The caption reads that the world will come to an end on April 29. This was then shared by a lot of people, which created a panic.

The news first appeared on Daily Express with the headline – Asteroid warning: NASA tracks a 4KM asteroid approach – Could end civilisation if it hits. People started believing that this asteroid will cause an end of the world.

FACT CHECK

NASA is continuously monitoring the trajectory speed, and distance of this asteroid 52768 (1998 OR2) along with many others. NASA discovered this asteroid in 1998, and since then it has been observing its movements.

The twitter account of NASA Asteroid Watch has tweeted that On April 29, asteroid 1998 OR2 will safely pass Earth by 3.9 million miles/6.2 million km. A @Daily_Express article implying there is a “warning” about this asteroid is false.

This asteroid (asteroid 52768 (1998 OR2)), with an estimated diameter of 1.8 km to 4.1 km, will fly past Earth from an estimated distance of 3.9 million miles at an estimated speed of around 20000 miles per hour. This means that it will come no closer to earth than about 16 times the distance between the Earth and Moon.

Final Verdict : FALSE

Group Admin is requested to close group for 2 days as police can take action against admin… #FactCheck

A message is currently circulating on Whatsapp which claims that group admins need to close their Whatsapp groups for 2 days as police can take action against the group admins & members if jokes are posted on the group relating to Corona Virus Disease (CoViD-19).

A message is currently circulating on Whatsapp which claims that group admins need to close their Whatsapp groups for 2 days as police can take action against the group admins & members if jokes are posted on the group relating to Corona Virus Disease (CoViD-19).

The Message

Group admin is requested to close group for 2days as police can take action against admin & group members vide section 68, 140 & 188 if anyone even by mistake post joke on corona. Everyone could be in trouble. Hence I draw the attention of group admin to take necessary steps.

Dear All,
Mandate for All:
Tonight 12 ( midnight) onwards Disaster Management Act has been implemented across the country. According to this update, apart from the Govt department no other citizen is allowed to post any update or share any forward related to Corona virus and it being punishable offence.

Group Admins are requested to post the above update and inform the groups.

Please adhere this strictly. 
https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/centre-seeks-sc-direction-that-no-media-should-publish-covid-19-news-without-first-ascertaining-facts-with-govt-154601

Basis of Claim

Due to the current lockdown in India, people are at home and finding activities to keep busy. With the spread of Corona Virus Disease (CoViD-19) pandemic, there has been a manifold increase in information being circulated on social media websites, like Whatsapp, which includes fake information. However, in the absence of sources to verify the accuracy of such information, people are believing in such posts & forwarding them. Such spread of false information can have a wrong impact on many people.

FACT CHECK

Press Information Bureau’s Twitter account for #FactCheck posted that this message is a false claim. There is no such advisory or order issued by the Government.

Final Verdict : FALSE

WHO Lockdown Protocol And Procedure For COVID-19 In India #FactCheck

A new message is circulating on social media about the World Health Organization lockdown protocol and procedure for COVID-19. Is this true? Lets do a simple fact check.

A new message is circulating on social media about the World Health Organization lockdown protocol and procedure for COVID-19. Is this true? Lets do a simple fact check.

The message mentions four steps of lockdown that are (as reported by the viral message) advised by the World Health Organization to fight against the Corona Virus Disease (COViD – 19). 

It also mentions that India has been following the first two steps till now and after 14th April, a five-day relaxation period will be observed. After this, it mentions that the step 3 of the lockdown will start, which will last for 28 days. Five days later, step 4 of lockdown will take place which will stay in effect for 15 days. 

FACT CHECK

World Health Organization has not released any official statement regarding the protocols and measures to be followed to fight against Corona Virus Disease (COViD – 19).

The Indian Government has denied all the rumors talking about the lockdown to be extended.

According to various reports, PM Modi has asked all the state governments to come up with a common exit plan after this lockdown ends on April 14. The lockdown will be lifted up in phases and not all together, as per news reports.

Final Verdict : FALSE