All Schools Closed, Travel To Be Avoided, Says Centre On Coronavirus

New Delhi:  As the number of patients affected by the virus across the country rose to 117, the Delhi government announced a series of restrictions, which includes a ban on gatherings of 50 and more people. Asked if the ban will apply to the Shaheen Bagh protest against the contentious citizenship law, he said, "Nothing but weddings are exempt".

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said "No religious, social, cultural and political gatherings comprising more than 50 people will be allowed till March 31, and clarified that the restriction is "applicable to protests too".

Arvind Kejriwal has also stopped the thrice-a-week grievance-redressal public meetings at his home. All autos and taxis will be disinfected for free, the Chief Minister said, adding that hand sanitisers would be placed at maximum places in the city, including shopping malls.

At least 25 doctors are among the 75 employees of a premier health institute in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram, who have been kept in isolation after a doctor who returned from Spain tested positive for coronavirus.

The Kamal Nath government in Madhya Pradesh, facing a collapse, has adjourned the state assembly for 10 days to stave off a trust vote. The government said the long break was to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Amid a global economic plunge over corionavirus, Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das said, "Covid-19 outbreak, now a pandemic, is evolving into a human tragedy. Human activity disrupted in nations. Financial conditions have tightened".

"Policy authorities have responded with emergency measures and more recently, advanced economies have coordinate large policy rate reductions," Mr Das said.

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced that all schools and colleges will be shut and a Rs 200 crore fund will be created in the state to tackle coronavirus.

Amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, Apple has announced that only developers from "recognised entities" such as government organisations, health-focussed NGOs, and healthcare companies were allowed to submit their apps related to COVID-19.

Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien, who gave a demonstration today in parliament with "locked hands",  made some strong remarks on coronavirus and said: "There comes a time in the life of a nation when we have to rise above our party flags".

Two people have died and 117 people are infected due to coronavirus or COVID-19, the highly contagious disease that originated in China's Wuhan city. Last week, the WHO declared it a pandemic after it spread to more than 100 countries.