India issues new coronavirus advisory ahead of Modi's address

NEW DELHI: In an attempt to contain any increase in Coronavirus cases in India, the government has banned all international flights entering India for a week starting this Sunday.

“No schedule international commercial passenger aircraft shall be allowed to land in India from March 22, 2020, for one week,” the government said in a statement.

The government has asked all senior citizens (above the age of 65) to stay at home.


“State governments shall issue appropriate directions so that all citizens above 65 (other than for medical assistance) except for public representatives/govt servants/medical professionals are advised to remain at home,” read the statement.

Similarly, all children below 10 have been advised to remain at home and not venture out.

The government has also asked railways and civil aviation to suspend all concessional travel ‘except for students, patients and divyang category.’

It also said there was no community transmission so far in the country and the fourth death reported from Punjab was that of an elderly person who had co-morbid conditions like diabetes, cardiac issues.

The department of pharmaceuticals and the ministry of consumer affairs have been asked to take necessary action against anyone charging exorbitant prices for masks, sanitizers and other health-related logistic materials, it added.

The government has also asked the private sector to work from home and has also asked group B and Group C central government employees to attend offices on alternate week and staggered timings for all employees.