The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon the leaderships of the SAARC countries to devise strong strategies to fight off the novel coronavirus which is now a pandemic. “Together, we can set an example to the world, and contribute to a healthier planet,” he said in a twitter message on Friday.
“I would like to propose that the leadership of SAARC nations chalk out a strong strategy to fight Coronavirus. We could discuss, via video conferencing, ways to keep our citizens healthy. Together, we can set an example to the world, and contribute to a healthier planet.” India has more than 70 confirmed cases and one death in the new virus which is named as COVID-19. From Friday, India suspended all visas, except a few categories such as diplomatic and employment, till April 15. The Indian missions also stopped issuing new visas from Friday.
The WHO on Wednesday declared the virus pandemic, asking countries to take ‘urgent and aggressive’ action to stop ‘unnecessary’ sufferings and deaths. India suspended all visas, except a few categories such as diplomatic and employment, till April 15. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus asked countries to take “a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach, built around a comprehensive strategy to prevent infections, save lives and minimize impact.”
Experts advice people to wash hands with soap, cover cough and sneezing and maintain at least 1 meter distance from any sick person to keep the virus at bay. Schools have been asked to promote the health and hygiene messages among the students. Modi, in another tweet, said: “Our planet is battling the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. At various levels, governments and people are trying their best to combat it. South Asia, which is home to a significant number of the global population should leave no stone unturned to ensure our people are healthy.”
Earlier on Thursday, he in a twitter message urged all: “Say No to Panic, Say Yes to Precautions.”
No Minister of the Central Government will travel abroad in the upcoming days. I urge our countrymen to also avoid non-essential travel. We can break the chain of spread and ensure safety of all by avoiding large gatherings.”
“The government is fully vigilant about the situation due to COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Across ministries and states, multiple steps have been proactively taken to ensure safety of all. These steps are wide-ranging, from suspension of visas to augmenting healthcare capacities.” Bangladesh earlier on March 8 confirmed the first three cases – two returned from Italy and the other was a family member of them. One of them went home while the other two were already tested negative for presence of the virus.
