Coronavirus: PM Modi To Avoid Mass Gathering, Says Will Not Attend Any Holi Milan Programme

As experts have advised to reduce mass gatherings to avoid the spread of coronavirus scare, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that he will not to participate in any ‘Holi milan’ programme. Taking to Twitter, PM Modi wrote, “Experts across the world have advised to reduce mass gatherings to avoid the spread of COVID19 Novel Coronavirus. Hence this year, I have decided not to participate in any ‘Holi milan’ programme,” the PM tweeted. This year, Holi is on March 10.

With the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) virus spreading to more countries and two more confirmed cases reported in India, seaports and airports have been put under high alert.

As concerns over the spread of the virus mounted, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-profile meeting to review the inter-departmental preparedness to combat outbreak in India. The Prime Minister took to Twitter to appeal for calm. “There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection,” PM Modi tweeted along with a set of preventive measures.

Talking about the key meet, PM Modi said that, “had an extensive review regarding preparedness on the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Different ministries & states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention (sic).”

On Tuesday, two private schools in Noida were shut for next few days after father of one of their students tested positive for coronavirus, while several people, including his family members, were quarantined or kept in isolation as authorities stepped up prevention efforts including extending suspension of existing regular and e visas to nationals of four other affected countries.

Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry said all regular visas/e-visas granted on or before March 3 to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan, who have not yet entered India, stand suspended in view of the emerging global scenarios regarding COVID19 disease.