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India's response to COVID-19: A timeline

As India fights the deadly COVID-19 outbreak, a brief look at the timeline of all major decisions taken by the government in order to curb the spread of the virus.

PC: IANS
PC: IANS

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Published : Mar 28, 2020, 4:55 PM IST

New Delhi: India's response to the COVID-19 has been pre-emptive, and pro-active, the government said on Saturday. India had already put in place a comprehensive response system at its borders much before WHO declared it as a public health emergency of international concern on January 30.

Timeline of the decisions taken by the Indian government so far:

A timeline of the government's decisions so far
  • January 17: Advisory issued to avoid travel to China.
  • January 18: Thermal screening started of passengers from China and Hong Kong.
  • January 30: Strong advisory issued to avoid travel to China.
  • February 3: E-visa facility suspended for Chinese citizens.
  • February 22: Advisory issued to avoid travel to Singapore; Universal screening for flights from Kathmandu, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia.
  • February 26: Advisory issued to avoid travel to Iran, Italy and Republic of Korea. Passengers coming from these countries to be screened, and may be quarantined based on screening and risk assessment.
  • March 3: Suspension of all visas for Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan and China; Compulsory health screening for passengers arriving directly or indirectly from China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore and Taiwan.
  • March 4: Universal screening of all International Flights. Quarantine or isolation at home or sent to hospital based on screening and risk profile
  • March 5: Passengers from Italy or Republic of Korea need to get medical certificate before entry
  • March 10, Home isolation: Incoming international passengers should self-monitor health and follow government Dos and Don'ts: passengers with travel history to China, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, Japan, Italy, Thailand, Singapore, Iran, Malaysia, France, Spain and Germany to undergo home quarantine for a period of 14 days from the date of their arrival
  • March 11: Compulsory Quarantine- Incoming travellers (including Indians) arriving from or having visited China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain and Germany after February 15 shall be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days.

16, 17, 19 March- Comprehensive advisory:

  • March 16:Expanded compulsory quarantine for travellers from or through UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait for a minimum of 14 days. Travel of passengers from member countries of the European Union, the European Free Trade Association, Turkey and United Kingdom to India totally prohibited
  • March 17: Travel of passengers from Afghanistan, Philippines, Malaysia prohibited
  • March 19: All Incoming international flights suspended, with effect from 22nd March
  • March 25: Extension of suspension of all incoming International Flights to India extended till April 14.

(With inputs from IANS)

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