COVID-19 confirmed cases increase to 114, GoM reviews status, Advisory on Social Distancing

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : With detection of 4 new positive cases – 1 each from Odisha, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and Kerala-  since the last update, the total number of confirmed cases of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in India increased to 114 on March 16, 2020. They include  13 cured and 2 reported death cases. Contact tracing activity of these positive cases has led to identification of more than 5,200 contacts, who are kept under surveillance.

The 4^th batch of 53 evacuees from Iran arrived on March 16, 2020, and is being quarantined at the Army facility in Jaisalmer. All are reported to be asymptomatic at present and are in quarantine as per protocol.

A high level meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on COVID-19 was held at Nirman Bhawan ton March 16 under the chairpersonship of Dr Harsh Vardhan. Union Health & Family Welfare Minister. Hardeep S Puri,  Civil Aviation Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister, Nityananda Rai, Minister of State for Home, and Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State, Health & Family Welfare, were present.

The Group of Ministers (GoM) had detailed deliberation on prevention and management of COVID-19 at its 7th meeting. After a detailed discussion, social distancing measures as a preventive strategy have been proposed for implementation. These measures are a preventive step to contain COVID-19 in the country and will be temporary measure in force till March 31, 2020.

GoM ordered for expanding compulsory quarantine for a minimum period of 14 days for passengers coming from/transiting through UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on 18th March 18, 2020, at the port of first departure.

Travel of passengers from member countries of the European Union, the European Free Trade Association, Turkey, and United Kingdom to India is prohibited with effect from March 18 , 2020. No airline shall board a passenger from these nations to India with effect from 1200 GMT on 18th March 18, 2020. The airline shall enforce this at the port of initial departure. Both these instructions are temporary measures and shall be in force till March 31, 2020, and will be reviewed subsequently.

The important preventive 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. Online education to be promoted; Non-essential travel should be avoided. Buses, Trains and aeroplanes to maximise social distancing in public transport besides ensuring regular and proper disinfection of surfaces; Encouraging private sector organisations/employers to allow employees to work from home wherever feasible; Meetings, as far as feasible, shall be done through video conferences. Minimize or reschedule meetings involving large number of people unless necessary; Restaurants to ensure hand washing protocol and proper cleanliness of frequently touched surfaces. Ensure physical distancing (minimum 1 metre) between tables; encourage open air seating where practical with adequate distancing.

Local authorities to have a dialogue with organisers of sporting events and competitions involving large gatherings and they may be advised to postpone such events. Local authorities to have a dialogue with opinion leaders and religious leaders to regulate mass gatherings and should ensure no overcrowding/at least one metre distance between people. Local authorities to have meeting with traders associations and other stakeholders to regulate hours, exhibit Do’s and Don’ts and take up a communication drive at market places like sabzi mandi, anaj mandi, bus depots, railway stations, post-offices etc., where essential services are provided.

Union Health & Family Welfare Minister. Hardeep S Puri,  Civil Aviation Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister, Nityananda Rai, Minister of State for Home, and Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State, Health & Family Welfare, were present at the meeting, according to a PIB release.