WHO calls coronavirus a pandemic; all visas to India suspended

With the number of COVID-19 cases rising manifold, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has assessed that the disease could be characterised as a Pandemic.

The statement put by the director-general of WHO Dr Tredos read, “In the past two weeks, the number of cases of #COVID19 outside Flag of China has increased 13-fold & the number of affected countries has tripled. There are now more than 118,000 cases in 114 countries, & 4,291 people have lost their lives”

Thousands more are fighting for their lives in hospitals, it further said.

“WHO has been assessing this outbreak around the clock and we are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction,” it said.

“We have therefore made the assessment that #COVID19 can be characterized as a pandemic,” added the statement.

India suspends visas till April 15

In a related development, the Indian government suspended all visas to the country as the cases of coronavirus sharply spiked.

The Union health ministry said all existing visas — diplomatic, official, UN/International organizations, employment, project visas — will be suspended till April 15.

“This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on 13th March 2020 at the port of departure… Any foreign national who intends to travel to India for compelling reason may contact the nearest Indian mission,” a statement by the ministry said.

Expressing fear that the number of those affected is set to go up, the WHO statement read, “In the days and weeks ahead, we expect to see the number of #COVID19 cases, the number of deaths, and the number of affected countries climb even higher.”

Introducing a note of caution the statement said, “Pandemic is not a word to use lightly or carelessly. It is a word that, if misused, can cause unreasonable fear, or unjustified acceptance that the fight is over, leading to unnecessary suffering and death.”

All incoming travellers, including Indians, arriving from or having visited China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain & Germany after 15th Feb 2020 shall be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days and 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, it said.

Meanwhile, Provision for testing primarily for students/compassionate cases in Italy to be made and collection for samples to be organized accordingly, those tested negative will be allowed to travel.