India tightens measures as coronavirus cases rise to 73

CHANDIGARH, India

The total number of coronavirus cases in India has risen to 73 on Thursday, as fresh cases were reported from different parts of the country, the Health Ministry said.

According to the ministry’s website, of total 73 confirmed cases, 56 are Indian nationals.

The ministry said the highest number of cases were reported from the southern state of Kerala (17), while more than 1 million passengers have been screened at airports.

Meanwhile, India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar informed the parliament on Thursday that “6,000 Indians are stranded in Iran.”

The initial focus of the Indian government is on "bringing back pilgrims, mostly stranded in Qom" he said, referring the badly affected Iranian city.

Coronavirus outbreak is a "matter of concern," news broadcaster NDTV quoted the minister as saying in the parliament. "Exceptional situations require exceptional response," he said, adding that "travel at this time is not recommended as it only heightens risks".

The northern Haryana state declared the coronavirus infection an “epidemic,” according to the state’s Health Minister Anil Vij.

On Wednesday, the Indian government had announced that it will suspend most visas till April 15 to prevent further spread of coronavirus. The order will come into force from 1200 GMT on March 13.

Soon after the government announcement, country’s Bureau of Immigration also issued a detailed advisory related to travel and visa restrictions related to the coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19.

It however said that visas of foreign nationals already in India remain valid.

For the travelers who are presently abroad, the immigration office asked them to avoid non-essential travel.

“Indian nationals presently abroad are advised to avoid non-essential travel. They are hereby informed that they can be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days on their arrival in India,” the advisory said.

While several Indian states have closed the education institutions and cinemas, the authorities have also closed borders at few places as precautionary measures to prevent further spread of the disease.