India bans travel from Europe until March 31

The government yesterday banned the entry of passengers from European countries and Turkey from tomorrow until March 31 amid a sharp rise in the numbers of coronavirus cases.
The government also expanded the minimum quarantine for people travelling to India from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait.
Addressing a press conference here, Lav Agarwal, a Ministry of Health official, said: “As a precautionary measure, we are expanding compulsory quarantine for a minimum period of 14 days for passengers coming from or transiting through UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait.”
He said the decision will come into effect from tomorrow 1200 GMT, at the port of first departure.
Agarwal also said that the government has banned the entry of passengers from member countries of the European Union, the European Free Trade Association, Turkey and Britain from tomorrow.
“No airline shall board a passenger from these nations to India with effect from 1200 GMT on March 18, 2020. The airline shall enforce this at the port of initial departure,” he said.
Agarwal said both these instructions are temporary measures and would be in force till March 31, and would be reviewed subsequently.
India yesterday reported four fresh cases of Covid-19 taking the total number of affected people to 114 with 13 cured and two deaths.
The four new cases have been reported from Kerala, Odisha, Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir.
The government yesterday issued a fresh advisory on social distancing measures. It is also formulating a strategy on how to go about with coronavirus casualties.
All the proposed interventions will be in force till March 31, when the government will take a call after reviewing the situation.
The government has suggested closure of all educational establishments including schools, colleges and universities, gymnasiums, museums, cultural and social centres, swimming pools and theatres till March 31. The government has also urged promoting online education and advised the states to consider postponing exams. The ongoing exams will be conducted only after ensuring a physical distance of 1m between the students.
The government has also asked the private sector to allow employees to work from home wherever feasible.
“Meetings, as far as feasible, shall be done through video conferencing. Minimise or reschedule meetings involving a large number of people unless necessary,” a government statement said.
While many continue to throng restaurants, the government has strongly urged them to ensure handwashing protocol and proper cleanliness of frequently touched surfaces. “Ensure physical distancing (minimum 1m) between tables; encourage open air seating with adequate distancing,” said the advisory.
Those who have already planned weddings are allowed to go ahead, but are requested to have a limited gathering. All non-essential social and cultural gatherings should be postponed, the advisory said.
Meanwhile, local authorities have been asked to have a dialogue with organisers of sporting events involving large gatherings and urged them to postpone such events. With all the restrictions in place, the fate of the Indian Premier League (IPL) also hangs in the balance.
Local authorities have also been asked to have a dialogue with religious leaders to regulate mass gatherings and to ensure that no overcrowding takes place.
The government advisory asked the local authorities to have a meeting with traders’ associations and other stakeholders to regulate working hours, exhibit do’s and don’ts and take up a communication drive in market places like vegetable and grain markets, bus depots, railway stations and post-offices where essential services are provided.