1. NUMBER OF CORONAVIRUS CASES IN INDIA
73, as per Ministry of Health & Welfare. Two people in Mumbai have been confirmed with the virus, nine in Pune, six in New Delhi and 17 in Kerala. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has declared Covid-19 an epidemic. All cinema halls, schools and colleges—with the exception of those with exams—in Delhi will remain closed till 31 March.
2. INDIA STARTS CLOSING BORDERS
On Thursday night, India issued a detailed travel advisory asking citizens to avoid all non-essential travel abroad. It also cancelled visas (with exceptions) to those yet to arrive in the country. India also warned that anyone—Indians included—who return to the country in the next few weeks may be quarantined. More here.
3. UNITED STATES SHUTS OUT TRAVELLERS FROM EUROPE; THAILAND, SRI LANKA BLOCK VISAS
The US has temporarily suspended all passenger travel from the Schengen Area for 30 days starting midnight of Friday, 13 March. The US will also disallow all foreigners who have been to the Schengen Area up to 14 days before they enter the US. Sri Lanka and Thailand, meanwhile, have paused their visa-on-arrival facility.
4. AVOID NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL, SAYS PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked Indians to avoid all non-essential travel, and avoid mass public gatherings. He has also announced that no cabinet minister will travel abroad for now.
5. IPL: STATUS ?
The Indian Premier League is struggling to happen. No foreign player will be available till 5 April at least, because of visa restrictions, as per PTI. Moreover, many players may choose to stay away. Minister of Sports Kiren Rijiju says the tournament can go on without spectators to make sure there are no mass gatherings. The Ministry of External Affairs has said that it has asked the BCCI to scrap the tournament, but that the ultimate decision is with the organisers. The BCCI meanwhile seems keen to press on for now. A final decision is likely to be taken shortly.
