Religious, commercial meets pose big risk

The Union ministry of health and family welfare has asked all states not to allow mass gatherings and commercial and religious conferences which increase the risk of contracting Covid-19. Religious gatherings for the month of Rajab have been cancelled.

Police permission will not be issued for gathering of more than 1,000 people. Conferences hosted by professional organisations will have to be cancelled till April 15.

Organisers of health conference scheduled for March 15 in Hyderabad are not sure what will happen and an event organiser has asked international delegates to hold a web conference instead.

Delegates to conferences already in India are looking for flights that will allow them to leave the country before March 13 when Indian travel restrictions come into force with visas for all short term foreign visitors being suspended. The notice on travel was too short, lamented an organiser who is now trying to get seats on an airline for international delegates to fly out.

Telangana health minister Etala Rajendar said, “Please refrain from attending conferences and large gatherings. Organisers have been told not to organise mass gatherings and keep all such functions aside for a month. The police is liable to take action if the orders are not followed.”

At the same time, all those people who have come to India from China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain and Germany after February 15, 2020 should self-isolate for a minimum period of 14 days.

The TS health department is going to call all these people and telephonically check on their health. If there are any symptoms, they have to report to Gandhi Hospital.

There are also two additional thermal screeners at the airport for screening incoming passengers. But with the lockdown from March 13 there will be no international flights to India.