Educational, social, cultural institutions closed as coronavirus cases rise to 114
From closure of abode of Gods like Siddhivinayak and Tuljabhavani temples and ASI-protected monuments and Central museums besides tourist hotspots Ajanta and Ellora Caves, sanctuaries and national parks to shutting down of malls, schools and colleges, both the States and the Centres have decided to expand the ambit of the social distancing in view of the threat from the rapidly spreading coronavirus (Covid-19).
The Union Health Ministry said four new coronavirus cases — one each from Odisha, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and Kerala — have been reported, taking the total number of cases to 114. The ‘contact tracing activity’ of these positive cases has led to identification of more than 5,200 contacts, who are kept under surveillance, it added. These cases include 10 discharged, three cured and two reported deaths.
On his part, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said there has been a coordinated response to the coronavirus outbreak and asserted that “no stone is being left unturned” to ensure people are healthy. Modi also hailed the contribution of doctors, nurses and healthcare workers in fighting the virus and said the country will always cherish their contribution.
“The Group of Ministers has proposed several preventive steps such as social distancing to contain COVID-19 in the country and will be in force till March 31, 2020. The important measures include closure of all educational establishments (schools, universities, etc), gyms, museums, cultural and social centres, swimming pools and theatres. Students should be advised to stay at home while online education to be promoted,” Union Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal told reporters here on Monday after the Group of Ministers (GoM) meeting.
The GoM has also suggested people to avoid non-essential travel by buses, trains and aeroplanes to maximise social distancing in public transport besides ensuring regular and proper disinfection of surfaces.
The Government is encouraging private sector organisations/employers to allow their employees to work from home wherever feasible and hold interaction through video-conferencing.
Local authorities will have a dialogue with organisers of sporting events and competitions involving large gatherings and they may be advised to postpone such events, the Government has said.
The Government on Monday also prohibited entry of passengers from EU countries, Turkey and the UK from March 18 till March 31.
“No airline shall board a passenger from these nations to India with effect from 1200 GMT on March 18, 2020. The airline shall enforce this at the port of initial departure,” Agarwal said.
Both these instructions are temporary measures and shall be in force till March 31, 2020 and will be reviewed subsequently, he said. As precautionary measures, all ASI-protected monuments and Central museums across the country will be shut till March 31, Union Culture Minister Prahlad Patel said on Monday.
On their parts, the States are already taking various steps on social distancing. While Andaman and Nicobar banned travellers entry in the island from March 16 to March 26, rural Maharashtra announced closure of schools and colleges and world famous Ajanta and Ellora Caves as a precautionary measures. The Siddhivinayak Temple, one of the most visited shrines in Mumbai and Tuljabhavani Temple in Maharashtra will remain closed for devotees till further notice. Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), fully residential and co-educational schools affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and operated by the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), an autonomous body under the HRD Ministry have advanced summer break to March 21 in view of the coronavirus outbreak.
Similarly, the Tamil Nadu Government ordered closure of all educational institutions, liquor bars, theatres and resorts and imposed restrictions on weddings and banned public meetings and processions in the State till March 31 as part of preventive measures against coronavirus while the State Election Commission of Odisha on Monday postponed the March 24 panchayat bypolls after the State reported its first case of novel coronavirus which has killed over 6,000 people globally. More than 1,62,000 have been infected by Covid-19.
The Ministry of External Affairs has been pulling out all the stops to ensure the safety of Indians abroad and has set up a special cell to coordinate on issues related with the response to the pandemic that has claimed more than 5,000 lives worldwide.
“All hands on deck! @MEAIndia’s helplines for COVID-19 Control Centre are open. Control Room: 1800118797 (toll free), +91- 11- 23012113, +91- 11- 23014104, +91- 11- 23017905,” MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.
He also shared a fax number -- +91- 011-23018158 -- and an email address -- covid19@mea.Gov.In -- for those wanting to reach out to the Ministry in connection with issues related to the outbreak.