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<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="11947683" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="delta-air-lines" source="Orion">Delta Air Lines</keyword> is asking the CDC to cut the isolation period for breakthrough COVID-19 infections.</li><li>The airlines is proposing the isolation period to be halved to five days from the current 10 days.</li></ul>Delta Air Lines' CEO has asked the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to consider cutting its recommended isolation period for vaccinated people who get breakthrough COVID-19 infections from 10 days to five days. "Our employees represent an essential workforce to enable Americans who need to travel domestically and internationally," CEO Ed Bastian wrote to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky. Delta's chief health officer, Carlos del Rio, and medical adviser, Henry Ting, also signed the <a href="https://news.delta.com/sites/default/files/2021-12/delta-letter-to-cdc-december-21-2021.pdf">letter.</a>"With the rapid spread of the <keyword id="12616996" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="omicron" source="Orion">Omicron</keyword> variant, the 10-day isolation for those who are fully vaccinated may significantly impact our workforce and operations," they added.<a href="https://news.delta.com/delta-asks-cdc-consider-latest-scientific-data-shorten-covid-19-isolation-period">Delta</a> said it's making the request as current data suggest the Omicron variant of the coronavirus is linked to milder disease — even if it is more contagious.The current guidance was developed in 2020 when there were no effective vaccines and treatments, they added.They also said that over 90% of Delta's workforce is fully vaccinated and that this number is increasing. Airline staff must also be masked up at airports and on planes.Delta's request comes as White House chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci said <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/fauci-us-considering-reducing-10-day-isolation-period-recommendation-2021-12">on Tuesday</a> that the US is considering shortening the CDC-recommended 10-day isolation period for vaccinated people who test positive.The CDC did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Delta Air Lines is asking the CDC to consider shortening the isolation period for breakthrough COVID-19 cases due to its impact on workforce, operations

New Delhi, Feb 28 () Shares of airline companies fell as much as 5 per cent on Friday amid concerns over coronavirus outbreak taking a toll on the travel industry. Massive sell-off in the stock market was triggered by the rising coronavirus cases. Shares of InterGlobe Aviation - the parent of IndiGo - plunged 4.80 per cent to Rs 1,300 on the BSE. Intra-day, the stock dropped as much as 9.99 per cent to Rs 1,229.75. SpiceJet stock cracked 6.06 per cent to a low of Rs 82.10 during the day. It closed 4.69 per cent lower at Rs 83.30. Defunct airline Jet Airways (India) hit its lower price band losing 4.84 per cent at Rs 24.55 during the session. It settled at Rs 24.70, down 4.26 per cent.Last week, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said there was a potential 13 per cent full-year loss of passenger demand for carriers in the Asia-Pacific region due to COVID-19. "Considering that growth for the region's airlines was forecast to be 4.8 per cent, the net impact will be an 8.2 per cent full-year contraction compared to 2019 demand levels," the grouping had said on the basis of an initial assessment.According to rating agency Icra, the outlook for India's aviation industry remains negative in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, which has resulted in many international passengers cancelling their travel to South East Asian countries. The extent of impact of the flight/ ticket cancellations on the profitability of the domestic airlines would, however, vary depending on the airlines' presence in these routes. RUJ ANUANU

Aviation stocks plunge nearly 5 pc on coronavirus jitters

New Delhi, Feb 28 () Shares of airline companies plunged up to 10 per cent on Friday as rating agency Icra said the outlook for the aviation sector remains negative in the wake of coronavirus outbreak. Shares of Interglobe Aviation - the parent of IndiGo - plunged 9.99 per cent to Rs 1,229.75 on the BSE. Spicejet stock cracked 6.06 per cent to a low of Rs 82.10. Defunct airline Jet Airways (India) hit its lower price band losing 4.84 per cent at Rs 24.55. according to rating agency Icra, the outlook for India's aviation industry remains negative in the wake of coronavirus outbreak, which has resulted in many international passengers cancelling their travel to South East Asian countries. Traffic from these countries accounts for around 19.5-23.8 per cent of the total international passengers flying to and from India, it noted. The extent of impact of the flight/ ticket cancellations on the profitability of the domestic airlines would, however, vary depending on the airlines' presence in these routes. RUJ ANSANS

Aviation stocks plunge up to 10 pc on coronavirus jitters

Official Hyderabad, Mar 12 () India is witnessing a 25 per centto 30 per cent drop in inbound international visitors to thecountry in recent months in the backdrop of novel coronavirusfears, Civil Aviation Joint Secretary Usha Padhee said onThursday. There has been a drastic reduction in numbers (visitorsto India) of international travellers, I was told that it hascome down by 25 to 30 per cent. Because of the quarantine byevery country, both (inbound and outbound) have got severeimpact, she told reporters here.She was speaking on the sidelines of civil aviation show'Wings India 2020' which began here on Thursday.The official said there has been a reduction in thenumber of domestic travellers also as people with businesspurpose or emergency requirements were only travelling.India has on Wednesday announced suspension of alltourist visas till April 15 in a bid to contain the spread ofthe virus.All incoming travellers, including Indians, arriving fromor having visited China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea,France, Spain and Germany after February 15 will bequarantined for a minimum period of 14 days, the Centre hassaid. Replying to a query, Padhee said the situation was purelytemporary in nature and there had been a turn around in China,the genesis of the viral fever that killed over 3,000, "whichis a good sign".On the impact on the 'Wings India 2020', the officialsaid the event was expected to be attended by only one thirdof the anticipated 1,500 delegates.According to her, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep SinghPuriwill participate with the industry leaders in sessionwherein the current situation of the sector will be discussed.The flagship biennial event is being jointly organisedby the civil aviation ministry and industry and Federation ofIndian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) at BegumpetAirport here from March 12 to 15. GDKVS VS

Coronavirus impact: Tourist inflow into India drop by 30%:

<ul><li>Indian investors have lost nearly ₹5 lakh crore in the Indian stock market as it plummets under the aftershock of the <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> outbreak.</li><li>The <keyword id="53232" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="BSE-sensex">BSE Sensex</keyword> is down by 1,248 points and the NSE Nifty 50 has plunged by 363 points.</li><li>Tata Motors, Tata Steel and Bajaj Finance are among the worst hit in the stock market. </li></ul>Investors have lost nearly ₹5 lakh crore as the Indian stock market nose-dived on fears of extending pandemic of Coronavirus, today (February 28). Most of the stocks on BSE Sensex are trading in the red and, overall, the market is down by 1,248 points. The impact of the coronavirus has investors scrambling to hit the sell button on some of the top stocks in the Indian economy. Making matters worse, the outbreak of the virus currently shows no signs of slowing down. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/world-prepares-for-coronavirus-pandemic-global-recession-forecast-2020-2?IR=T">Researchers now fear a</a> global recession as the pandemic spreads to Italy, Iran and more. It’s raining red in the NSE Nifty 50 as well as it plunged by 363 points. The individual sectoral indices were in the red as well with the Nifty Bank index falling by over 1,000 points. The Nifty Metal index is headed for its biggest weekly fall since October 2008, when the global financial crisis was at its peak. “From extreme calmness to extreme pessimism, D-Street is also the victim of the virus outbreak in other countries,” said Umesh Mehta, head of research from Samco Securities. “However, when the entire world is blaming the coronavirus for the fall, we feel that valuations have a big part to play in this bearishness,” he added. According to PTI, the volatile equity market wiped out ₹4.7 lakh crore worth of investor wealth and the total market capitalisation dropped to ₹148 lakh crore from ₹152 lakh crore at market closing on Thursday. Here’s a look at the biggest losers on the BSE Sensex today: <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 468pt; table-layout: fixed;"></colgroup></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Company </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Loss </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Tata Motors </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-9.41% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Tata Steel </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-7.59% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Bajaj Finance </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-6.06% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Tech Mahindra </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-5.51% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Infosys </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-5.06% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Axis Bank </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-3.94% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">SBI </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-3.84% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">HDFC </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-3.52 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">M&amp;M </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-3.40 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">TCS </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-3.39 </td></tr></tbody></table> Stocks like SBI Gold ETF, Gillette India, Hexaware Tech, Jubilant Industries and Baja Auto are concurrent losers having lost value consecutively over the last three days. The impact of the coronavirus on the Indian stock market is indicative of how the global market might be headed for turbulent waters as coronavirus continues to spread. The outbreak is already affected sectors associated with travel and tourism as travellers cancelled their flights to countries with reported infections. Moreso, global events like One Mobile Congress were cancelled and Facebook also cancelled its annual developers meet to be held in May. Shares of airlines companies have already taken a 10% plunge. Interglobe Aviation, IndiGo’s parent company, is down by 9.99% while SpiceJet fell by 6.06%. Rating agency ICRA notes that the outlook for airline stocks continues to look bleak in view of the outbreak. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/sensex-sheds-1100-points-as-coronavirus-fear-grips-the-market-nifty-loses-335/articleshow/74372756.cms">Sensex sheds 1,100 points as coronavirus fear grips the market; Nifty loses 335</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/market-mayhem-continues-sensex-below-40k-level-as-virus-fears-grow/articleshow/74319579.cms">Market mayhem continues; Sensex below 40K level as virus fears grow</a>

Indian investors lose ₹5 lakh crore as the coronavirus sweeps over the stock market

<ul><li>While we appear to be in an era plagued by widespread panic – thanks to the inundation of information on social media and every known touchpoint, there also appears to be a positive wave of behavior change amongst societies that prove the resilience and adaptability of humankind.</li><li><keyword id="7856732" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Abhinay-Bhasin">Abhinay Bhasin</keyword>, Director, Data Sciences at <keyword id="6368370" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="dentsu-aegis-network">Dentsu Aegis Network</keyword>, South Asia pens down how amidst the projected negative climate by media in news surrounding the impact of <keyword id="8763838" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid-19">COVID-19</keyword>, he has seen a few rays of sunshine emerging in humanity. </li></ul>I am fairly certain by now you would have probably read the multiple reports on the <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> disease (COVID-19) and reports by every known publication and enterprise in terms of its impact on business, the economy and on the general society. In case you haven’t, please crawl out from under that rock you’re under (or stay there since it might be a better way to be safe). At present there close to 400,000 reported cases of COVID-19. A majority of them outside China, with an impact to nearly every known line of business and economy. While governments and world leaders have taken to prioritizing measures to curtail the spread of the virus, there is no doubt that there is a need for policy makers and decision takers to prevent an economic fallout and to reduce widespread economic anxiety as has been recently witnessed in the US and other markets over a hoarding of essentials. While we appear to be in an era plagued by widespread panic – thanks to the inundation of information on social media and every known touchpoint, there also appears to be a positive wave of behavior change amongst societies that prove the resilience and adaptability of humankind. This discourse will attempt to throw light on those positive and negative impacts on the society and global economy that emerge from the climate created by the onset of the virus and the mitigation steps that inundate the media of today. Let’s Take Stock of What’s Going On Early estimates reveal the global economic impacts to be in the range of USD 1-2.7 Trillion in terms of GDP loss. The OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation &amp; Development) has forecast global growth of a mere 2.4% in 2020 (down from the earlier estimate of 2.9% from November of last year. This could probably mean the slowest growth rate of the global economy ever since the global economic recession of 2009. Cancelling of major sporting events, lockdown of borders and cities, declining consumer confidence, global store closures by brands such as Apple, Nike etc and potentially severe retail traffic declines have already taken its toll on economies, creating ripple effects in society and especially impacting livelihoods of daily wage earners and workers. In turn, stress on key industries that have already been on a downward spiral such as the aviation industry and the automotive industry (especially in India) come under further pressures as production and mobility further reduce due to precautionary measures. The global travel economy itself is projected to be hit by nearly USD 850 billion dollars in revenue loss. This causes widespread ripple effects on the ancillary industries associated with these sectors. Is it all Doom &amp; Gloom? Amidst the projected negative climate by media in news surrounding the impact of COVID-19 emerge rays of sunshine in humanity. Videos going viral online featuring Italian neighborhoods coming together on balconies and singing songs together – highlight the strength of communities in combatting national challenges. Heroic images of doctors and nurses tirelessly working and staking their own lives to treat to infected patients and those in quarantine reveal the underlying spirit of not just their professions, but the everlasting spirit of hope. While yes – it indeed is a trying time until there is concrete evidence of COVID-19 showing signs of receding and coming under check and global economies bouncing back, the undying spirit of humanity with some of the best minds working on mitigating drugs, and some of the brightest and most successful leaders and companies committing to relief funds highlight the resilience of our species, while giving us all a chance to pause, rewind, recalibrate and move forward together as a unified force. - By Abhinay Bhasin, Director, Data Sciences at Dentsu Aegis Network, South Asia

The socio-economic impact of COVID-19: Cloudy with a chance of resilience

<ul class="summary-list"><li>President Donald Trump's COVID-19 diagnosis threatens the meager gains made by the <keyword id="31907" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Aviation">aviation</keyword> industry in recent months, as renewed fears of the virus could hinder travel. </li><li>Experts believe that the revelation itself won't greatly affect travel, but its outcome and resulting policy changes could end up hindering aviation's fragile recovery. </li><li>The place of transmission will also determine how travel is impacted, especially if the president contracted the virus aboard Air Force One. </li></ul>Thursday marked a glimmer of hope for the travel industry: The fifth busiest day for <keyword id="6354691" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Air-travel">air travel</keyword> in the US since March 21 set a positive tone for October, as struggling airlines gird themselves for a difficult holiday season. But <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-does-trump-coronavirus-mean-election-presidency-succession-2020-10">President Trump's Friday morning announcement</a> that he and First Lady Melania Trump had tested positive for COVID-19 may wipe out that trend, and further jeopardize the American airline industry.Aviation's nascent recovery is still incredibly fragile, as fears of new lockdowns and <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> outbreaks hinder advance bookings and threaten to sour the upcoming holiday travel season. In June, <a href="https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus/passenger-throughput">daily passenger numbers rose above 500,000</a> for the first time since March 21. Then, a summer of spreading disease stalled what many hoped would be a quick recovery. The news of Trump's diagnosis itself won't impact Americans' travel choices, industry watchers say. "I don't believe the president getting COVID will affect travel in a material way," Henry Harteveldt, president of Atmosphere Research Group, told Business Insider.But adding the president to the list of those infected could end up limiting Americans' ability to travel. Uncertainty surrounding quarantine rules and lockdowns remains the largest determining factor when making travel plans. Even with Thanksgiving less than two months away, travelers may be hesitant to invest money in non-refundable tickets when their destination could become embroiled in an outbreak, Harteveldt said.Trump's diagnosis could encourage governors and other leaders to implement lockdowns and quarantine scenarios that would further stall aviation's growth. "I'm really less worried about airline travel and more about the question, where would you possibly go that doesn't have restrictions put in place?" Richard Aboulafia, vice president of analysis at Teal Group, told Business Insider, when asked if Trump's diagnosis could increase fears of <keyword id="52392" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Flying">flying</keyword> on airplanes.Business travelers would likely be among the most impacted by Friday's revelation, as they are bound by their employer's travel rules. Business travel has been largely grounded since March, as companies don't want to take the risk of exposing their employees to the virus.It's also the segment that airlines are relying on to make up for the lackluster summer. Business flyers typically help bridge the gap between Labor Day and Thanksgiving, a downtime for leisure flyers, and spend more than the average flyer when booking travel.The point of transmission could also play a role in how travel is affected. If the president contracted the virus aboard Air Force One or while traveling, it could make potential flyers think twice about taking to the skies and put airlines on the offense to strengthen their health and safety procedures. "If it is determined that the virus was spread on Air Force One, that may cause some people who are undecided or tentative about taking a trip to avoid traveling because they will say: Well, if the virus can spread on Air Force One, it still has a risk of spreading on a commercial plane," Harteveldt said.Those fears would be largely unfounded, as both experts believe that the health and safety practices implemented by airlines – chief among them being face covering requirements – have made flying quite safe. The <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airline-workers-covid-rates-is-flying-safe-2020-9">low incidence of flight attendants contracting COVID-19</a>, Harteveldt explained, is one of many indicators that airlines have taken the right measures to avoid the spread of the virus on airplanes. Air Force One likely also has all of the air filtration systems that a commercial airliner has, despite the old age of the modified Boeing 747 aircraft, since the fleet is meticulously maintained and upgraded by the US Air Force. The possibility of Trump not recovering from COVID-19 could also spell trouble for aviation as it would break the myth that health officials have overplayed the danger of the virus. But that would also render the concerns of US airlines insignificant."If the president doesn't recover from coronavirus, I think the country is going to be facing much larger issues than people traveling," Harteveldt said.

Trump's COVID-19 diagnosis could wipe out the airline industry's nascent recovery, experts say

New Delhi, Mar 11 () IndiGo's parent InterGlobe Aviation on Wednesday said its quarterly earnings are expected to be hit due to decline in daily bookings, amid the coronavirus outbreak. "Over the past few days however, week-on-week, we have seen a 15-20 per cent decline in our daily bookings," it said in a release. According to the release, the numbers could change from here based on how the situation evolves. "We expect our quarterly earnings to be materially impacted because of the above. "In addition, the rupee has also depreciated sharply which will have an adverse impact on our dollar denominated liabilities primarily on account of capitalised operating leases," it said. IndiGo is the country's largest airline. RAM IAS ABM

Coronavirus impact: IndiGo says fall in bookings to hit earnings

<ul><li>In our latest interview series, we talk to brands to understand how they are coping with the new normal and their strategies towards navigating these difficult times.</li><li>We speak to <keyword id="7539054" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Aalok-Bhan">Aalok Bhan</keyword>, Director &amp; Chief Marketing Officer, <keyword id="6374257" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="max-life-insurance">Max Life Insurance</keyword> about the impact of the <keyword id="91743" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="lockdown">lockdown</keyword> on the brand, and the <keyword id="6406875" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="life-insurance">life insurance</keyword> industry in general and all that they have been doing to minimize <keyword id="7036687" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="business-impact">business impact</keyword> and ensure business continuity.</li></ul>The recent Covid-19 lockdown has impacted different sectors in different ways. Hospitality, travel, retail and aviation are perhaps the most impacted. With the lockdown now extended by another 2 weeks, its still some time till we understand what things look like in the post-Covid world. At the same time, there are a few sectors like FMCG, Telecom, Healthcare and Life insurance that haven’t been as severely affected. Brands have been trying their best to adapt to the new normal, not just in terms of how their businesses function but also in the way they communicate with their audiences. If one were to look at the positives, most brands have learnt how to become more agile and quickly adapt to changing needs at times of crisis. We recently caught up with Aalok Bhan, Director &amp; Chief Marketing Officer, Max Life Insurance to understand the impact on their brand, and the life insurance industry in general and all that they have been doing to minimize business impact and ensure business continuity. Edited excerpts: Q) How have the past few weeks been for the brand, considering the country has been in a complete lockdown? Has this affected your business? Just like every other economic sector, the lockdown has had a significant impact on the life insurance industry over the past few weeks. However, insurers across the board are navigating the crisis with extreme resilience and ingenuity and we are already seeing a robust industry response. By enabling organizations for effective remote work, recalibrating ecosystems with digital technologies and maintaining business continuity with strategic communications plans, insurers are doing enough and more to serve to the best of their capacity. Strengthening our digital initiatives at Max Life, we initiated a Business Continuity Plan a week before the lockdown was implemented. Our investment in remote user technology over the years enabled us to quickly ensure that 80% of our employees could work from home effectively within 3-4 days of the announcement. To keep the ball rolling, we have effectively digitized our entire sales process, training more than 9,000 frontline sellers and over 25,000 specified persons of banks and agents digitally in just two weeks, who sold almost 24,000 policies in the last week of March alone. We have also digitized our claims management to ensure that all support documents are accepted online, and customers are able to submit claims in a timely manner, using self-service options available on the website, digital bots and AI driven Interactive Voice Response. Q) How have you been trying to continue building a connect with your audience? Has there been a change in your media mix? At Max Life Insurance, we are consistently practicing empathetic communication and staying connected with the customer to create value and reassure them in the midst of a life altering crisis. As new-age marketers, we are also staying on top of the latest trends, watching data for insights, and understanding new consumer behaviors that will be key in driving successful conversations moving forward. For instance, new consumption patterns during the period of lockdown reflected that urban India is spending an average of 3.5 hours on digital, consumption dominated by news, social media and video streaming. At Max Life Insurance, we quickly adapted to change by channelizing our resources onto social media and digital marketing. Recent efforts include accelerating campaigns and being creative on social media, where we drove engagement on the back of a 21-day quarantine challenge through which we hope to stay connected with our customers. Keeping our connect with customers during social distancing, through Super Customer Week, now becoming e-Super Customer Week, changing the nature of customer engagement by going the digital way. Q) What are a few key learnings for you as a brand in the last few weeks? The impact of COVID-19 will be felt by all, small and big businesses. The biggest learning has been that marketing leaders need to stay the course and adapt to the new normal that is evolving. It is crucial to constantly keep experimenting and modifying marketing plans to find what works best given the situation. Q) When it comes to communicating with your consumers, what has your primary motive been? Times like these are important for us to remain connected with our customers and build trust by providing them the right kind of reassurance. Firstly, we are constantly informing customers that death due to Covid-19 is covered in their policies including term plans through multiple media such as sms, e-mail. Secondly, a dedicated Covid-19 section on our website proactively takes care of customer queries related to the topic. Q) With so much negativity in the minds of people, the biggest challenge is to build and strengthen trust. How are you doing that in these adverse times? Trust is what one must harness during COVID-19 by driving contextual and clear communication. At Max Life, we are driving utmost transparency in our coverage and communication to reinforce trust in the idea of true, hassle-free financial protection at the time of need. Q) There's a thin line in terms of a brand's communication in times of crisis where marketing communications can be misread as opportunist or even insensitive. How are you working around this tightrope and ensuring there isn't any miscommunication? We are focused on living up to our key responsibility of providing financial guidance to customers and therefore are leading our communication strategy with care and empathy. We are also consciously anchoring the messaging around fundamental themes such as financial protection, health and safety to create value and reassure customers in the midst of a life altering crisis.

Marketing in the times of Covid-19: Max Life Insurance

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> and related economic slowdown is affecting the defense industry, disrupting work by major firms and smaller suppliers alike.</li><li> In the longer-term, however, a nationwide economic contraction caused by the pandemic could mean more dramatic budget cuts for which the <keyword id="6362444" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="pentagon">Pentagon</keyword> isn't prepared.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>. </li></ul>The Pentagon's top acquisition official said this week that the <keyword id="189750" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Defense-Department">Defense Department</keyword> expects the economic impact of the coronavirus on supply chains to delay major weapons programs for three months.The biggest domestic disruption has been in the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/pentagon-expects-3-month-weapons-programs-delay-due-to-coronavirus-2020-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">aviation, shipbuilding, and the small-space-launch sectors</a>, Ellen Lord, undersecretary of acquisition and sustainment, said Monday."Right now there isn't any specific COVID penalty that we see for a specific [defense] program; however, we do anticipate about a three-month slowdown," Lord said.Just as it's injected uncertainty into industry, the coronavirus has upended timelines in Congress, where the House Armed Services Committee is working to prepare drafts of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act by May 1, even as the bill's September 30 deadline moves out of reach."The likelihood that it slips past October 1 is obviously increasing by the day," Rep. Adam Smith, committee chairman, told reporters on April 7.<h2>'A profound economic impact'</h2><div type="image" title="House Armed Services Committee Adam Smith Thomas Waldhauser" height="957" width="1400" msid="75334897" hostid="261"></div>Economic uncertainly isn't likely to harm <keyword id="418645" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="defense-spending">defense spending</keyword> in the near-term, as Congress tends to see procurement as a kind of stimulus — a way to buy "more planes, more tanks, more ships [and] keep people employed," Richard Aboulafia, vice president of analysis at Teal Group, told Insider last week.But the economic contraction seems likely to hit the Pentagon in years to come.Defense spending was expected to shrink, and <a href="https://www.csis.org/analysis/coronavirus-and-changes-fy2021-budget-keeping-cuts-american-defense-spending-perspective" target="_blank" rel="noopener">discussions</a> about how best to spend it have already started. Smith said he thought "those conversations will accelerate, because economically we're not coming out of this for a while.""Even the best-case scenario, this is going to have a profound economic impact," Smith added. "I think it's going to become even more important that we look for ways to save money within" the Defense Department.Uncertainty about the pandemic's duration and scope makes it hard to predict its economic impact, but, <a href="https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2020/04/07/defense_budget_implications_of_the_covid-19_pandemic_115178.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to analysts</a> at the Rand Corporation, higher-end estimates see losses as high as $19 trillion over 10 years, while lower-end estimates amount to roughly $11 trillion over 10 years.<div type="image" title="US Army Netherlands tanks" height="968" width="1400" msid="75334900" hostid="261"></div>Those estimates could mean $350 billion to $600 billion less for the Pentagon over the next decade, if defense spending stays at its current 3.2%-of-GDP level, according to the Rand analysts, who noted that share is projected to fall to 2.8% in 2030.That would have "significant medium-term implications for the <keyword id="107484" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="defense-budget">defense budget</keyword>" and require the Pentagon "to find efficiencies that are of at least the same magnitude as the recent <keyword id="1578061" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="sequestration">sequestration</keyword>," the Rand analysts write, referring to the Budget Control Act of 2011.Sequestration was created as an enforcement mechanism for deficit caps that Congress put in place in the mid-1980s. The Budget Control Act of 2011 <a href="https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/commentary/2020/04/15/dod-must-identify-its-crown-jewels-in-preparation-for-fiscal-troubles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reimposed sequestration</a> and capped defense spending; total cuts to the Defense Department under it were close to <a href="https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2020/04/07/defense_budget_implications_of_the_covid-19_pandemic_115178.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$500 billion</a> over 10 years.The Pentagon has been able to shift spending to create room for new initiatives, but a sudden and unplanned-for decrease in funding would make trade-offs between maintaining force structure and developing future systems "much more pressing," according to Mark Cancian, a retired Marine colonel and senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies."In other words, if you really wanted to invest in high-end capabilities to take on the Chinese, you're going to have to cut a lot of force structure, and that's hard when you have global commitments that are demanding deployment of forces," Cancian told Insider earlier this month.<h2>'Some back and forth'</h2><div type="image" title="2019 03 20T191141Z_609392923_RC1C985D1730_RTRMADP_3_USA TRUMP.JPG" height="651" width="1000" msid="75334902" hostid="261"></div>Cancian said cuts in 2022 and beyond would depend largely on the result of the November presidential election."If there were a second Trump administration, [the budget would be] probably flat in constant terms; maybe there'd be a little upward motion," Cancian said. "But if there were a Democratic administration then we'd certainly see some reduction, maybe quite substantial, like sequestration ... I think that's probably the right image."Even before the coronavirus struck there were calls to reassess defense spending and US national-security priorities."The Pentagon has failed two audits, and it's such an enormous part of our budget, and if any major corporation were to fail its audit, the shareholders would kick them out," Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat from Washington state, <a href="https://foreignpolicy.com/events/fp-qi-forum/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said at an event</a> hosted by Foreign Policy magazine and the Quincy Institute think tank in February."The bigger question among Democrats that we haven't sorted out ... is to determine exactly what to do with the defense budget," with different camps advocating freezing, reducing, or imposing drastic cuts, said Julianne Smith, a foreign-policy adviser to former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, at the same event."That's a debate that the party's going to have to have, and frankly all Americans need to have," Smith added.If a Biden presidency comes to be, it would likely face a stronger Democratic left that "will put pressure on him to cut defense and invest in social priorities," to which Biden would likely assent to some degree, Cancian said.But changes to defense priorities and spending on them will be influenced by other factors."Things happen in the world. There could be some event that changes people's thinking. That's what happened to Obama," Cancian said. "The Congress could shift, so we'll get some back and forth."Read the original article on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-pandemic-could-have-profound-economic-impact-on-pentagon-2020-4">Business Insider</a>

The coronavirus pandemic could leave 'a profound economic impact' on the Pentagon

Mumbai, Apr 9 () Air India chief Rajiv Bansal on Thursday said that the "crippling effect" of the novel coronavirus has further plummeted the airline's finances to a "precarious" position but despite that, it has managed to keep afloat.Bansal, in a message on Thursday, also assured the employees of providing all the "essential armoury" in carrying out evacuation and chartered flights amid the pandemic."Air India has been passing through a critical financial condition much before the Covid19 onslaught. The crippling effect of the pandemic, especially in the aviation sector, has further plummeted our finances to a precarious position. In spite of this, your airline has left no stone unturned to continue to remain afloat," Bansal said in a message to Air India employees on Thursday.Reminding the employees that the organisation is always with them during these trying times, he said, their safety and health are as important to the company as of its passengers."We are leaving no stone unturned to ensure you get all the essential armoury to fight this war. Our dedicated medical services team members are available round the clock for any consultation, advice or emergency. We are doing everything possible to minimise risk factors," Bansal said.Besides taking all the precautionary measures and providing PPE to ensure your safety, Air India was amongst the very few airlines in the world, who are providing hazmat suits and other protective equipment for its crew to equip them to face any COVID-related safety concern onboard, he said.It was the first carrier to evacuate stranded Indian nationals from Coronvirus-hit Wuhan in China in January.It is due to these precautionary measures that so far, only one of the airline's crew members amongst so many, who have been flying our charter flights all over the world, has tested COVID positive, he added."I am relieved to inform you that she has also been discharged after full recovery under the watchful eyes of our medical department," Bansal said.In recent weeks, Air India has operated flights to Israel, Germany and London, using its wide-body Boeing 777s and B787s. These services were mainly to carry foreign nationals stranded in the country due to the lockdown, which began on March 25.Stating that all of us in Air India, no doubt, are in this war together, Bansal said, "Adversity brings the best out of us and is a litmus test of our courage and strength of character. This is also the time to show how much we care for one another." IAS MRMR

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