Puducherry reported its first coronavirus case on Tuesday even as Chief Minister V Narayanasamy announced closure of all schools, colleges, cinemas and gymnasium centres in the union territory till this month-end as a precautionary measure.
A 68-year-old woman tested positive in Mahe, an enclave of the union territory in Kerala, and her condition was stable in the government general hospital there, director of Health and Family Welfare Services Mohan Kumar said.
Sources said the woman had returned from Saudi Arabia after a pilgrimage on March 13.
Narayanasamy chaired a joint meeting of officials of Health and other departments here and reviewed the steps taken to prevent the spread of the infection in the union territory.
The government has earmarked Rs 7.5 crore to the Revenue Department to procure on emergency basisequipment to rise to any exigency, he told reporters.
The Health Department has been asked to immediately recruit doctors and nurses to meet the shortage in manpower to meet any requirement.
All the tourists coming to Puducherry from other states and also abroad would be subject to intensive screening at the entry points, bus terminals, airport and other vulnerable spots.
Already, there was a decline by 50 per cent in the flow of tourists into the former French colony.
“The government does not want to remain slack and hence a multi-pronged approach has been adopted to keep the infection at bay,” he added.
Those organising social functions, including marriages, had been asked to restrict the invitees.
Places of worship had also been asked to put in place the necessary facilities for the pilgrims and devotees to wash their hands.