New Delhi:At a time when the Union Health Ministry is struggling with Covid-19, a fake Office memorandum (OM) has made the ministry to brief the media in order to prevent rumours about the declaration of holidays amid the outbreak.
Earlier, a fake OM went viral on the internet which claims that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has declared a holiday from March 14 to March 21 in order to prevent the deadly coronavirus from spreading. The fake memorandum also contains an authenticated signature of Under Secretary for Government of India Rajendra Kumar.
It also claims that the holiday is mandatory for all educational institutes, workplace having more than 10 employees. In case of any breach of the order, a fine of Rs 5000 will be applicable per day.
However, the Health Ministry quickly responded to the memorandum and issued a notice against the fake document circulated on the web.
Covid-19 rumours: Health Ministry bust rumours of declaring holidays in schools, workplace "A fake OM from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been doing the rounds today. The fake OM is regarding the subject "clarification regarding the declaration of holidays for the states and is dated 13th March 2020." It is clarified that the above mentioned OM is fake and has not been issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Necessary action under extant law is being initiated," the ministry said.
Meanwhile, a 69-year-old woman in Delhi became the second coronavirus fatality in India. The total number of confirmed cases in the country has reached 82. In other parts of the world, Italy and Spain reported a surge in fatalities in the last couple of days and have imposed lockdowns, while the US has put a ban on travel from almost all of Europe.
Also Read: India can prevent Novel Corona Virus from spreading in the country: Dr K Srinath Reddy
