Mumbai will shut down everything except essential services until March 24 to keep coronavirus from spreading

• In cabinet meeting led by Maharashtra's chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, the state has decided to shut down all government offices for the next seven days.
• The decision to pull back services comes after Mumbai reported its first coronavirus-related death.
• Hospitals and airports also have the right to stamp people with ink reading 'Home Quarantined' if they are suspected of an infection and instructed to self-isolate.

The Maharashtra government has decided to shut down government offices for the next seven days as Coronavirus spreads through Mumbai. Even in order to host the cabinet meeting, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray logged in through video conferencing.

Currently, Maharashtra has the highest instance of coronavirus cases with 39 people infected. Today, the state reported its first death. A 64-year old who had recently returned from Saudi Arabia died at the Kasturba Hospital in Mumbai.

Earlier today, the Central Railways announced that it would be cancelling multiple trains that go through Mumbai till March 31. To keep public gatherings at a minimum, the Central and Western local train bodies raised the price of platform tickets from ₹10 to ₹50 — a five-fold increase.

At specific stations — including CSMT, Thane, Dadar and Kalyan — the information centres are conducting voluntary checks with infrared thermometers.

The companies at the epicentre of Mumbai’s financial hub have been directed to reduce its staff by half to combat the spread of the infection. Hospitals and airport authorities have the right to stamp the wrists of anyone who is suspected of coronavirus with ink reading ‘Home Quarantined’ to ensure they adhere to self-isolation.

Mumbai’s sister city, Pune, announced that hotels and bars will be closed till March 20 — a voluntary measure by the Pune Restaurant and Hoteliers Association (PRHA).

(developing story)

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