New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday proposed that the leadership of SAARC nations could chalk out a joint strategy to fight coronavirus and set an example for the world.

He said the SAARC leadership can discuss via video conferencing ways to keep their citizens healthy.

“Our planet is battling the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. At various levels, governments and people are trying their best to combat it,” Modi said on Twitter.

South Asia, which is home to a significant number of the global population, should leave no stone unturned to ensure that the people are healthy, he said.

“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,” he said.

“Together, we can set an example to the world, and contribute to a healthier planet,” Modi said.

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is A regional intergovernmental organization that comprises Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The decision was taken at the meeting of group of ministers held here under the chairmanship of Health Minister Harsh Vardhan.

NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday suspended all tourist visas till April 15 in a bid to contain spread of novel coronavirus, according to an official statement.

The suspension will come into effect from 1200 GMT on March 13 at the port of departure.

The decision was taken at the meeting of group of ministers held here under the chairmanship of Health Minister Harsh Vardhan.

“All existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/International organisations, employment and project visas stand suspended till 15th April 2020. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on 13th March 2020 at the port of departure,” the statement said.

Visa-free travel facility granted to OCI card holders is also kept in abeyance till April 15.

Any foreign national who intends to travel to India for compelling reason may contact the nearest Indian Mission, the release said, adding that all incoming travellers, including Indian nationals, arriving from or having visited China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain and Germany after February 15 will be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days.

Incoming travelers, including Indian nationals, are advised to avoid non-essential travel and are informed that they can be quarantined for a minimum of 14 days on their arrival in India.

International traffic through land borders will be restricted to Designated check posts with robust screening facilities. These will be notified separately by M/o Home Affairs.

After resigning from the Congress on Tuesday morning, Scindia joined the BJP in presence of party president J P Nadda in Delhi.

BHOPAL: Former Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, who joined the BJP on Wednesday, will file his nomination papers for the March 26 Rajya Sabha polls from Madhya Pradesh here on Friday, said a saffron party spokesman.

Earlier on Wednesday, the BJP named Scindia as its Rajya Sabha candidate from Madhya Pradesh, where three seats are falling vacant, soon after he joined the party.

After resigning from the Congress on Tuesday morning, Scindia joined the BJP in presence of party president J P Nadda in Delhi.

Madhya Pradesh BJP Media Cell in-charge Lokendra Parashar said the 49-year-old former Lok Sabha MP will file his nomination papers on Friday afternoon.

“Scindia ji will file the nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha polls after garlanding the statues of BJP leaders, including Deendayal Upadhyaya and Rajmata Scindia, around noon on Friday,” Parashar said.

Scindia will arrive in Bhopal around 3 pm on Thursday, he said.

This will be former Congress leader’s first visit to the state capital after joining the BJP.

From the airport, Scindia will reach state BJP headquarters, Deendayal Parisar, where he will be accorded welcome at a function.

Of the three seats falling vacant in the state, two are held by the BJP and one by the Congress.

The day Scindia joined the BJP, the Kamal Nath government transferred collectors of five districts – Guna, Gwalior, Neemuch, Vidisha and Harda.

According to orders issued by Chief Secretary S R Mohanty, Guna collector Bhaskar Lakshkar has been made deputy secretary in the state secretariat in Bhopal.

Similarly, Gwalior collector Anurag Chowdhary has been transferred to the state secretariat.

Scindia represented Guna four times in the Lok Sabha but lost from the seat in the 2019 parliamentary elections.

Gwalior is the native district of the Scindias, erstwhile royals of the princely state of Gwalior.

District collector of Vidisha, Kaushlendra Singh, has been transferred to Gwalior in the same post.

Harda collector S Vishwanathan has been moved to Guna in the same capacity.

Anurag Verma, a deputy secretary in the state secretariat, has been named the new Harda collector.

Jitendra Singh Raje, a 2007-batch IAS officer, has been named the new Neemuch collector.

He will succeed Ajay Gangwar, who has been made divisional commissioner of Sagar.

With more coronavirus cases coming out in the open, the IPL governing council to consider proposals of holding matched behind closed doors.

CHENNAI: As the Maharashtra government considered the proposal to host all IPL matches in Mumbai behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the BCCI called an IPL Governing Council meeting on Saturday.

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah will be present in the meeting to be chaired by IPL Governing Council chairman Brijesh Patel at the board’s headquarters in Mumbai.

Though a final decision on matches in Mumbai is likely to be taken on Thursday, it is understood that the state governments of Rajasthan, Delhi and Karnataka are exploring the option of giving a go-ahead to the IPL if it is played behind closed doors.

Jaipur, Delhi, Hyderabad and Bengaluru — host cities — have already reported positive coronavirus cases.

On Wednesday, there were two new cases reported in Mumbai. This leaves Chennai, Kolkata, Chandigarh and Guwahati as IPL host cities to not have any reported any case so far.

Although the central government hasn’t issued any restrictions or advisories to the BCCI with regards to the IPL, the onus rests on the respective state governments to take the final call on whether to host it or not.

There are concerned voices in the BCCI that even if one state puts a restriction, they expect the others to follow suit.

“There hasn’t been any advisory from the government and if there is one, we will follow it. But for a tournament that is still weeks away, there is no need to take an immediate call. We will discuss the pros and cons at the meeting. If you look at it, cricketing events across the globe are going on as per plans,” Patel told this newspaper.

Though the IPL has come under the scanner, the Road Safety World Series currently underway at the Wankhede and DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai hasn’t seen any restrictions from the local government.

Even though only retired cricketers are featuring in the tournament, the matches have attracted good turnouts thanks to the presence of Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara among others.

The BCCI believes that with all these activities going on, the IPL is being dragged in only because of its popularity.

There are six more matches remaining in the Road Safety World Series with Pune set to host four of them.

Moreover, the BCCI officials also point out that Indian Super League matches have gone ahead without anyone raising similar concerns, especially at a time when the number of cases is only increasing.

“There are events happening now, which nobody talks about. But for a tournament that is still three weeks away, everyone wants to stop it,” a BCCI official said.

While talks of postponement of the IPL aren’t being discussed as of now, the franchises believe there is not much that they can do. “We have very little say with regards to what the governing council decides. But if they decide that matches will be played behind close doors, then so be it. At least, the season will go ahead. There will be losses, but it is better than not playing at all,” a franchise official said.

As reported by this newspaper, the BCCI believes it can wait until the last minute before taking any decision. But there is acceptance of the fact that their hands will be tied on that front.

The patients, the Health Ministry said, expressed their satisfaction with the treatment being given to them.

NEW DELHI: Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan spoke to a few coronavirus patients admitted at Medanta and Safdarjung hospitals through video calls on Tuesday and said all the people infected by the disease were stable and showing signs of recovery.

Vardhan also called up Health Ministers of Delhi, Haryana, Kerala, Telangana, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh as well as Lt Governors of Ladakh, and Jammu & Kashmir to ascertain the status of the COVID-19 affected patients kept in isolation centres in hospitals, the health ministry said.

A total of 61 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the country till now, the ministry said, adding a few more cases were being re-tested for confirmation.

While monitoring the COVID-19 situation from his office in the Health Ministry, Vardhan spoke to a few patients through video calls to enquire about their health and their satisfaction with the treatment being given at the isolation wards.

“While speaking to the patients, he conveyed that though he wanted to visit them personally, he was dissuaded by the hospital authorities from the visit as they felt that such a visit may hinder regular treatment arrangements for the patients,” the statement said.

The patients, the ministry said, expressed their satisfaction with the treatment being given to them.

They also appreciated the role of the government for the timely assistance offered to them and about the regular review of their status thrice a day.

Vardhan also extended Holi greetings to them on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and himself.

Vardhan also spoke to the health ministers and the Lieutenant Governors to get feedback about the condition of the patients and problems being faced, if any, by the states and Union territories in availability of required supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE), masks, etc. and capacity building of health workers, the statement stated.

The Health Ministers and LGs while giving details of the treatment status stated that the patients are recovering well and are stable.

The patients have not at all faced problems during their treatment in hospitals or their stay in quarantine centres.

Vardhan lauded the efforts being made by the states and stated that with consistent and coordinated efforts of Central Government and States/ UTs, valuable lives of not only Indians but also foreign nationals visiting India, have been taken care off.

He also urged them to spread awareness about COVID-19 amongst the general public and persuade them to avoid crowded gatherings as well as follow basic principles of personal hygiene and prevention measures.

A close friend of Scindia, Deputy CM Sachin Pilot is now the centre of attention in the state, with speculation that he might take the same route. 

JAIPUR: The shockwaves of MP Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia quitting the party along with many MLAs is being felt in Rajasthan as well.

A close friend of Scindia, Deputy CM Sachin Pilot is now the centre of attention in the state, with speculation that he might take the same route. 

CM Ashok Gehlot was strong in his denunciation of Scindia’s move on Twitter: “Joining hands with the BJP in a time of national crisis speaks volumes about a leader’s self-indulgent political ambitions. Especially when the BJP is ruining the economy, democratic institutions and the social fabric.”

Gehlot is seen as a veteran in political calculations and his government has better numbers than the MP government.

With the 6 BSP MLAs joining the Congress a few months ago, the party has 106 MLAs of its own and the support of 13 others in a house of 200 seats. But he has been in a continuous tussle with party president Pilot, who was sidelined in the race for the CM’s post following the party’s Assembly win. 

Gehlot loyalists argue that the situation in Rajasthan is very different from that in MP. But as the Scindia revolt gains momentum, there is uncertainty as sources say the BJP is keen to dislodge Gehlot. 

A close aide of Gehlot asserted, “Some Congress dissidents might try to take advantage of the developments in MP. But Gehlot is likely to repulse this challenge. If he was chosen despite Pilot’s open 
opposition, it was because he is a very astute politician and has the support of many MLAs.” 

Pilot’s supporters, however, say it would be a blunder to underestimate him and claim he has 25-35 MLAs loyal to him. If he is ignored anymore, he too may be pushed towards the BJP, they added.

Though there is no definite treatment for the virus, one will not die, he said advising people to avoid public gathering and hand shaking.

BENGALURU: Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar has appealed to people not to wear masks if not needed, as it creates “unnecessarily panic”. He also cautioned the public against fake social media messages on coronavirus.

The minister said on Wednesday that although the World Health Organisation has prescribed a 14-day quarantine for people who return from countries infected with the coronavirus, “Our government has taken it further and advised a 28-day quarantine period.’’No coronavirus case is registered in Karnataka, he said.
“Till date, we have screened close to 40,000 passengers from 11 countries. Of them, 468 people are advised quarantine. Our government has taken all measures and geared up with more beds in all the 50 major government hospitals.  We were screening passengers from infected countries, but now, passengers coming from all the countries (will be screened),’’ he said.

As more than 25 Members of the Legislative Council on Wednesday raised their concern over coronavirus, Dr Sudhakar said many people are wearing masks even before they are advised to do so and this is creating panic.

He also said people should not heed fake messages on social media which are adding to the panic. Though there is no definite treatment for the virus, one will not die, he said advising people to avoid public gathering and hand shaking.

The minister, however, said there is no shortage of funds or masks. “We have ordered masks for the next six months and orders for anti-viral medicines will also be placed for the next six months,’’ he said. He said regular three-layer masks are used widely by people, but WHO has recommended six-layer masks.
Tests are done at virology laboratories at Bangalore Medical College and the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases that are accredited to the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals. The government has told NIMHANS to set up one as it is also accredited to NABH. “There is demand to set up similar labs in other regions in Karnataka, but there are no NABH-accredited hospitals (there)”, he said.

Their samples had to be sent to Hyderabad for testing, and Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has told officials to purchase equipment to perform such tests in the State.

KAKINADA/VIJAYAWADA/ELURU/VISAKHAPATNAM: At least 11 people, including one from South Korea and some from the Gulf, have been kept in isolation in various hospitals across the State after they were suspected to have shown symptoms of coronavirus. All of them had been abroad in the last two weeks and were screened on arrival in India. Medical reports are awaited to confirm if they have been infected.

Their samples had to be sent to Hyderabad for testing, and Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has told officials to purchase equipment to perform such tests in the State.

In East Godavari district, an anonymous late-night call made to the State helpline led to the isolation of a software engineer who returned from Seoul in South Korea. South Korea has recorded more than 5,300 coronavirus cases and 32 deaths.

Officials said they received the call from Vadapalem in Kothapet mandal alerting them about the techie, who had a cold and cough. The 35-year old landed in Delhi on February 22, and went to Hyderabad for five days. He reached his native place on February 29, and from Vadapalem, went to his in-laws’ house in Godasivaripalem in Mumadivaram mandal.

After receiving the call, health officials swooped down on the village, where they unsuccessfully searched for the techie. They then went to Godasivaripalem, found him, and performed medical tests. He was shifted to the Kakinada Government General Hospital and kept in isolation.

District Collector D Muralidhar Reddy, Superintendent of Police Adnan Nayeem Asmi and medical and health officials rushed to the hospital to take stock of the situation and the facilities available. Muralidhar Reddy said the patient is showing no signs of coronavirus, but will be kept in isolation till the test results confirm the same.

Medical and health officials are implementing mandatory safety measures in both villages the techie visited, the Collector said, adding that the house he stayed in has been isolated and residents of the village are being checked for symptoms such as cold and cough.

Meanwhile, eight people suspected to have COVID-19 symptoms were isolated in Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam districts on Wednesday. Five cases were reported in Visakhapatnam and three in Srikakulam district.

Of the five in Visakhapatnam, three persons hail from the same family. They arrived from Malaysia on Tuesday night and had also visited Singapore recently. They were taken directly from the airport to the isolation ward at Chest (ID) Hospital.

The other two persons, including a woman from Gajuwaka, arrived from Bahrain 10 days ago and complained of cold and cough on Wednesday. They too were shifted to the hospital’s isolation ward, State nodal officer for COVID-19 K Rambabu said.

Meanwhile, three persons from Kanchili were admitted to the isolation ward at Srikakulam government hospital. They returned from Dubai a week ago, and complained of cold and cough.

Similarly, two persons were placed in isolation at the Eluru government hospital after one of them returned from Muscat a few days ago and was staying in his uncle’s house in Pentapadu mandal. Both of them developed a cold and cough.

In Vijayawada, a 42-year-old man who returned from Germany and visited Hyderabad was isolated in the Government General Hospital.