Coronavirus | Travel from EU, U.K. banned as India tightens preventive steps

In a series of temporary preventive measures, the Group of Ministers (GoM) on COVID-19 on Monday banned the entry of travellers from European Union nations, the European Free Trade Association, Turkey and the United Kingdom to India from March 18. After its seventh meeting on the COVID-19 outbreak , the GoM also called for expanding the compulsory quarantine for a minimum period of 14 days for passengers coming from/transiting through UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait. The highest number of cases at 39, is from Maharashtra, with two more people, including a Philippine national, testing positive, State Health Department officials said. The national capital, which has so far reported seven COVID-19 cases and one death, announced that all gyms, night clubs and spas will remain shut till March 31 and that a gathering with more than 50 persons, excluding weddings, will not be allowed. A senior Health Ministry official said if an Indian from Europe or U.K. or Turkey travels to another country from which there is no ban, such as the U.S. or Australia, he or she will be “allowed entry and quarantined or advised home quarantine depending on his condition.” He added that this was already being allowed for Indians returning from France or Germany via Dubai in UAE. Speaking at a press meet, Joint Secretary in the Health Ministry Lav Agarwal, assured that “adequate number of tests are being done to get information about any community transmission”. The GoM also recommend closure of all educational establishments, gyms, museums, cultural and social centres, swimming pools and theatres, avoiding non-essential travel, encourage private sector organizations/employers to allow employees to work from home wherever and do video conference meetings. The GoM also recommend closure of all educational establishments, gyms, museums, cultural and social centres, swimming pools and theatres, avoiding non-essential travel, encourage private sector organizations/employers to allow employees to work from home wherever and do video conference meetings. Subscription Benefits Include Today's Paper Find mobile-friendly version of articles from the day's newspaper in one easy-to-read list. *Our Digital Subscription plans do not currently include the e-paper ,crossword, iPhone, iPad mobile applications and print.