Coronavirus is spreading like a wildfire all over the world. As one date, there are 30 reported cases of coronavirus or COVID-19 as it is popularly called. The coronavirus death toll across the globe is currently at 3285 and there are over 95,481 confirmed cases. On account of the heavy influx of international passengers to India, India is at risk for COVID-19 and the government is taking a lot of measures to prevent it from spreading and infecting more people. In this post, let me highlight the steps that are being taken by Modi government to bring the situation under control.

Multi pronged approach of the Health Ministry

In order to ensure quick redresal of cases, the Ministry has instructed that special response teams are created at the district, block and village levels.  The district collectors have been instructed to ensure that these rapid response teams are put together at the earliest. 

 In addition to this, all foreign nationals arriving to India will be screened at airports.  Additionally, the government has made arrangements for regular surveillance across the country for all cases having travel history from the major COVID-19 affected countries and for people having contact with such persons and exhibiting the symptoms such as fever, cough or breathlessness.

In case any person who has come from abroad is suspected to be infected by COVID-19, the government authorities shall monitor the entry points, review the core capacities, and isolate the suspected patients. For local outbreaks, the approach will be to contain the spread of the virus in clusters by controlling crowds, shutting down schools, malls, gardens, etc. For a wider outbreak, the government will focus on priority shifts to minimising deaths, controlling infections, as well as ramp up the isolation capacities. The ministry will notify the relevant steps if COVID-19 becomes post pandemic like HIN1. 

Private sector will be involved to manage the outbreak of COVID-19 and the standard operating procedure will be shared with all the states. 

Visas to visitors from certain countries stand suspended

All regular visas/e-visa (including visa on arrival for Japan and South Korea) that have been granted to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan and issued on or before March 3 and who have not yet entered India, have been suspended with immediate effect. Visas granted to nationals of China, issued on or before February 5 continue to remain suspended.

Visa granted to all foreign nationals who have travelled to China, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Japan on or after February 1, and who have not yet entered India, have been suspended with immediate effect. Further, a travel advisory has been issued by the government and Indians have been advised not to travel to China, Iran, South Korea, Italy and Japan.

India is fully prepared to fight the virus

Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri DV Sadanand Gowda ji has also announced that there is no shortage of raw ingredients or medicines in India for next three months. Further, a group of ministers are monitoring the situation on a daily basis to ensure preparedness for the challenge posed by COVID-19. The government has also decided to increase the production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients in the country so that we don’t have to depend on any other country to import the same. There is also a temporary restriction on the export of APIs to ensure that there is no shortage of medicines in the country.

Checks being undertaken at border points

The Home Ministry has also announced that full medical check-up and scanning will be carried out at all land ports in the country, including Atari, Kartarpur and Agartala, to detect suspected cases of COVID-19 among the incoming passengers. Medical teams have been deployed at land ports to screen the incoming passengers from the neighbouring countries. A status report is also being submitted on a daily basis. 

Conclusion

While the World Health Organisation has categorically stated that India is not at risk for COVID-19 at present, it is extremely heartening to see the level of preparedness. Modi ji and his efficient cabinet ministers must be congratulated for this feat.

 Opposition leaders may take potshots at the government and term it as the assurances given by the captain of unsinkable ship Titanic but I think that they are deliberately turning a blind eye towards the arrangements made. I sincerely hope that the crisis is averted as soon as possible and the entire world heaves a sigh of relief.