Narendra Modi cancels his Holi party amid Coronavirus scare in Delhi

• Narendra Modi cancelled his Holi Milan event to avoid public gatherings amid Coronavirus.
  
  
• India has two coronavirus infected patients, the government informed.
  
  
• The pandemic has spread over 65 countries now and has infected more than 88,000 people.

As Coronavirus fear grips the national capital, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cancelled his plans to host a Holi Milan event.

“Experts across the world have advised to reduce mass gatherings to avoid the spread of COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Hence, this year I have decided not to participate in any Holi Milan programme,” he tweeted.

“Holi is a very important festival for we Indians but in the wake of Coronavirus, I have decided not to participate in any Holi Milan celebration this year. I also appeal everyone to avoid public gatherings and take a good care of yourself & your family,” Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted.


Yesterday, a Noida-based school was forced to shut down for three days after the person who tested positive in Delhi on March 2, attended a birthday party last week, where his children, along with their schoolmates, were present.

The school also cancelled all examinations till further orders. After collecting the samples of students, the medical authorities sent at least 40 students of the school to a 28-day quarantine, the chief medical officer, Gautam Buddh Nagar, told IANS.

A total of five cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in India so far, while three of them have recovered.

India currently has two confirmed cases of coronavirus, one in New Delhi and another in Hyderabad. The patient in Delhi had travelled from Italy, while the one from Telangana travelled from Dubai.

However, the first tranche of Indians evacuated from Wuhan however tested negative and were all released from a quarantine at Manesar in Haryana, last week.

The Health Ministry, in a press conference on March 2, assured all help and urged people to stay vigil. Union Health minister Harsh Vardhan advised people to refrain from non-essential travel to Iran, Korea, China and Singapore. The ministry also released a new travel advisory for international travellers available on their website.

The epidemic has spread over 65 countries now and has so far infected more than 88,000 people, including over 80,000 in China.

(With inputs from IANS)