Coronavirus scare: Gujarat govt shuts all educational institutions till March 29

As a precautionary measure against Coronavirus pandemic, all educational institutes across Gujarat will remain shut from March 16 to 29, said Anil Mukim, state Chief Secretary on Sunday. This comes after total number of COVID-19 cases surge to 107 in India.

"All educational institutions - schools, colleges, tuition classes, Anganwadi across state will remain closed from March 16 to 29 and while teaching work will be done here but teaching and n-teaching staff can come," Mukim said in a press conference.

Chief Secretary also said that any person caught spitting in public places will be fined Rs 500. 

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Gujarat remains Coronavirus-free so far

Even as Centre has imposed visa curbs to curb spread of coronavirus in country, positive cases has been so far found in Gujarat, where more than 2,600 travelers have been screened at airports till w, said officials on Thursday.

Out of 65 samples of suspected cases collected so far in Gujarat, 63 were tested negative for COVID-19, while two results are awaited, said a release by state health department. '104' fever helpline is getting over 200 calls seeking information about virus, it said. A total of 2,611 travellers have been screened at Ahmedabad and Surat international airports so far, release said.

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Moreover, 1,217 travellers, who were kept under observation upon ir return, have completed ir 28-day observation period, health department said. On Wednesday, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel had informed Assembly that over 2,300 people, mostly crew members, on-board 55 ships were also screened at major ports in Gujarat.

As a precautionary measure, as many as 576 isolation beds and 204 ventilators have been kept reserved at different government hospitals in state, officials added.

World Health Organization (WHO) has declared COVID-19 as a pandemic after more than 1.5 Lakh cases were reported globally. 

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(With inputs from ANI)