Delhi schools shut, Modi trip off over virus crisis
The decision comes in the wake of increasing cases of coronavirus being detected in India. Health Minister says at least 28,529 persons brought under community surveillance are being monitored
As India geared up to meet the Covid 19 coronavirus threat, schools were ordered shut in Delhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi cancelled a scheduled trip to Brussels for a summit with European Union leaders.
The number of confirmed cases rose to 30, while nearly 25,000 people were being monitored.
The decision comes in the wake of increasing cases of coronavirus being detected in India. As of Thursday, Health Minister told Parliament that at least 28,529 persons were brought under community surveillance and are being monitored.”
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said on Thursday his government has ordered the immediate closure of all primary schools in the national capital till March 31.
All Delhi government, aided, private and schools run by civic bodies will remain shut, said Sisodia, who also holds the education portfolio.
“As a precautionary measure to prevent the possibility of spread of COVID-19 amongst our children, Delhi Government has directed the immediate closure of all primary schools (Govt/ aided/ private/mcd/ndmc) till 31/3/20(sic),” Sisodia tweeted.
The Ministry of External Affairs ( MEA) announced on Thursday that Modi’s visit was cancelled after India and European Union decided to call off the India-eu summit in the wake of the outbreak of coronavirus in Belgium claiming more than 20 lives.
“As far as India-eu Summit is concerned which PM Modi had to attend, the health authorities of both the countries suggested that travelling must not take place at present.
“So, it has been decided that Summit will be rescheduled on a mutually convenient date,” MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said at a press briefing.
“The decision has been taken in the spirit of close co-operation between the EU and India who share same concerns and commitment to global health and hope that the outbreak is contained soon,” he said.
The union government is co-ordinating with the states to prevent the spread of coronavirus, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said in Parliament. He reiterated that there is “no need to panic.”
“Till 4th March, there have been 29 positive cases of coronavirus in India. I am daily reviewing the situation. A Group of Ministers is also monitoring the situation,” Vardhan said.
“Since January 17, an action has been taken in this regard and we started preparing ourselves to deal with for such scenario. It was even before the advice of the World Health Organisation (WHO),” he said.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday took aim at the minister.
“The health minister saying that the Indian Govt has the #coronavirus crisis under control, is like the Capt of the Titanic telling passengers not to panic as his ship was unsinkable. It’s time the Govt made public an action plan backed by solid resources to tackle this crisis.”
Vardhan had assured the nation that “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is regularly monitoring the situation personally. A group of ministers has been constituted to keep an eye on the situation.
“Video conferences are being held with states every other day.” The Union Health Ministry has asked all states to form rapid response teams at district, block and village levels, stating cases of community transmission have been observed.
The ministry advised that any student or staff with travel history to any COVID-19 affected country or in contact with such persons in the last 28 days should be monitored and quarantined at home for 14 days.
“Ask parents not to send child back to school till advised so by the treating doctor,” the advisory said, asking schools to lace alcohol-based hand sanitiser at various spots and advised monitoring students staying in hostels.
“Everyone should cover their mouth with a tissue/handkerchief when they cough or sneeze and wash their hands afterwards. Do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth.
“Everyone should throw away used tissues in a bin and wash their hands after contact with coughing or sneezing,” said the advisory.
It stated frequently touched surfaces like door knobs, switches, desktops, hand railing should be disinfected.