Thread by @MoHFW_INDIA

Happening now:

Media briefing on actions taken, preparedness & updates for the management of #COVID19

#HelpUsToHelpYou
@PMOIndia @drharshvardhan @AshwiniKChoubey @MIB_India @PIB_India @DG_PIB @MEAIndia @MoCA_GoI @shipmin_india @tourismgoi @mygovindia @PIBHomeAffairs

Group of Ministers (GoM) had detailed deliberation on #COVID19 management in their 7th meeting today. After a detailed discussion, the following social distancing measures have been proposed for implementation.

These interventions are preventive steps proposed to be in force till 31st of March,2020. While the advisory is under issue, the important measures suggested 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 maximize social distancing in public transport besides ensuring regular and proper disinfection of surfaces.

Encourage private sector organizations/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 handwashing protocol and proper cleanliness of frequently touched surfaces. Ensure physical distancing (minimum 1metre) between tables; encourage open air seating where practical with adequate distancing.

Local authorities to have a dialogue with organizers 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, regulate Do’s and Don’ts...

... and take up a communication drive in market places like sabzi mandi, anaj mandi, bus depots , railway stations, post-offices etc., where essential services are provided.

Keep communities informed consistently and constantly.

Additional Travel Advisory: Travel restrictions have been further tightened to prevent the spread of #COVID19 from high-risk areas.

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 2020 at the port of first departure.

Travel of passengers from member countries of the #EuropeanUnion, the #EuropeanFreeTradeAssociation, #Turkey and #UnitedKingdom to #India is prohibited with effect from 18th March 2020.

No airline shall board a passenger from these nations to #India with effect from 1200 GMT on 18th March 2020. The airline shall enforce this at the port of initial departure.

Both these instructions are temporary measures and shall be in force till 31st March 2020 and will be reviewed subsequently.

4 new cases #COVID19 – 1 each from #Odisha, #Jammu&Kashmir, #Ladakh and #Kerala have been confirmed since the last update. There are now a total of 114 confirmed cases in #India as of today, including 10 discharged, 3 cured and 2 reported deaths.

Contact tracing activity of these positive cases has led to identification of more than 5,200 contacts, who are kept under surveillance.