GoM formed to monitor Coronavirus, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan expands on details

On Monday, February 3, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan tweeted to announce that under the directions of PM Modi, a high-level Group of Ministers (GoM) had been formed to review and monitor the situation around the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus. This comes days after India reported its first case of the pandemic in Kerala. The GoM includes Union Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of External Affairs, Dr S Jaishankar, MoS Home G Kishan Reddy, MoS Health Ashwini Kumar Choubey, and MoS (I/c) Shipping Mansukh Lal Mandaviya. 

Read: Health Minister Harsh Vardhan reviews measures to tackle novel Coronavirus

Travel advisory, temporary suspension of visas

The Health Minister tweeted that a travel advisory has been issued that warns against travel to China. He also stated that after the status report on nCoV 2020 was presented, preventive measures taken for Coronavirus management were detailed. These mainly included a revision of the travel advisories issued including the regulation of temporary suspension of e-visa facilities. 

Read: First Coronavirus case confirmed in India; Health Minister Harsh Vardhan issues response

"Anyone with travel history of China since Jan 15,2020 can be quarantined. E-Visa facility for #Chinese passports has been temporarily suspended, e-Visa issued to Chinese is now invalid. Online application for physical visa suspended," read his tweet. 

Read: Dr Harsh Vardhan reviews the status of preparedness regarding coronavirus

He also tweeted that people who had "compelling reasons" to visit India should contact the Indian embassy in Beijing or consulate in Shanghai or Guangzhou. 'Instructions to comply with above travel advisory have been issued to all national & international airlines operating from China. Adequate materials like Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) & N95 masks are available. The situation is being monitored in all States/UTs.A 24x7 Control Room is operational (011-23978046). IEC material is prepared & widely disseminated through print, electronic & social media,' read his follow up tweet. 

Read: Coronavirus: Indian student from Wuhan, mother in Ujjain hospital