Coronavirus: Maharashtra Govt Closes Offices, Non-Essential Shops Till March 31 In Big Cities

Maharashtra government has ordered closing of all offices and all shops (other than essentials) till 31st March, 2020 in Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Nagpur in view of the novel coronavirus outbreak. These cities are near the three international airports in the state. Making theannouncement, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray said that state government has ordered complete shutdown in Mumbai Metropolitan Region, except essential services and public transport. Banks will also remain open in the state.

"This is not a holiday, avoid crowding," said Uddhav Thackeray.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said that three new Covid-19 positive cases were reported in the state taking the total number of cases to 52.

The annual exams from class 1 to 8 have been cancelled in the state with all students set to be promoted to next classes without exam. Maharashtra Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad announced the exams for class 9 and 11 will be conducted after 15th April. However, two remaining papers of class 10th will take place as per schedule. All the teachers, except the ones for class 10th, can work from home, said Gaikwad.

Meanwhile, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal also announced that the government is closing down all shopping malls (except those with grocery, pharmacy and vegetable shops in them).

Meanwhile, the official number of novel coronavirus cases in India rose to 195 on Friday after 22 more people were infected with the fast-spreading virus in various parts of the country, according to Health Ministry data. However, according to ICMR data updated on March 20, a total of 206 individuals have been found positive among suspected cases and contacts of known positive cases.

Among those found positive for coronavirus are 32 foreign nationals, including 17 from Italy, three from the Philippines, two from the UK, one each belonging to Canada, Indonesia and Singapore. The figure also includes four deaths reported from Delhi, Karnataka, Punjab and Maharashtra so far. (With Agency Inputs)