COVID 19: BAI shuts down office, instructs employees to work from home

Badminton Association of India (BAI) on Friday anunced its office will shut down from March 23 owing to COVID-19 pandemic. BAI is latest National Sports Federation (NSF) to shut down its premises in wake of vel coronavirus outbreak. "In wake of Corona Virus outbreak and advisories issued by Sports Ministry and Government of India guidelines for safety measures, Badminton Association of India (BAI) has decided to shut down ir office from March 23, " a media release said.

BAI shuts down office

BAI General Secretary, Ajay K Singhania added that situation will be reviewed on March 31. 

"After assessing situations and discussions with various stake holders, it was observed as best solution and health and wellbeing of our staff is of prime importance for BAI," Singhania said. 

All staff members have been instructed to work from home and only in cases of absolute emergency, y may go to office.

Last week, BAI was forced to suspend India Open, to be held in New Delhi from March 24 to 29, after world body (BWF) decided to halt all events from March 16 due to pandemic. On Thursday Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi had called for a  'janta curfew' on March 22 from 7 am-9 pm, saying citizen, barring those in essential services, should get out of house. While country's health ministry has repeatedly advised people to stay at home. coronavirus pandemic has infected more than 2,00,000 people worldwide and led to over 9,000 deaths. In India more than 190 have tested positive so far and four have died.