Coronavirus anxiety disrupts businesses across India; know all the details

The deadly coronavirus outbreak, which has claimed many lives and has sent the entire world into a frenzy has now entered India and is disrupting business activities in the country.

New Delhi/Lucknow: The deadly coronavirus outbreak, which has claimed many lives and has sent the entire world into a frenzy has now entered India. It has even started disrupting business activities across the country.

Agra hotels, tourists sites told to report arrival of visitors from Italy, Iran, China

Hotels and tourists sites in Agra have been instructed to inform the office of the Chief Medical Officer as soon as visitors from Italy, Iran or China arrive, so that they can be screened for coronavirus infection, an official said on Tuesday.

As soon as any information is received, a team of doctors will be dispatched to examine the visitors for symptoms of COVID-19, Chief Medical Officer of Agra Dr Mukesh Vats told PTI.

Agra hotels, tourists sites told to report arrival of visitors from Italy, Iran, China

"We have issued instructions to all hotels in the city that if any person is coming from Italy, Iran or China, they should inform us. As soon as the hotel informs us, a team of doctors goes to the hotel, and examines them for symptoms of coronavirus. All the tourists sites have been told to inform the 24-hour control about visitors from countries where coronavirus outbreak has been reported," Vats said.

Luxury hotel sends its restaurant staff on self-quarantine after COVID-19 scare

A five-star hotel in the Capital has asked its staff, who were present at one of its restaurants where an individual tested positive for coronavirus dined on February 28, to go on self-quarantine for 14 days.

The hotel said it has also enacted elevated precautionary operational protocols at the property as advised by the government.

"Government authorities recently confirmed that an individual who dined at La Piazza restaurant at Hyatt Regency Delhi on February 28, 2020, has been diagnosed with COVID-19," Hyatt Regency Delhi, Area VP and General Manager Julian Ayers said in a statement.

India suspends visas to citizens of Italy, Iran, Japan,South Korea

The Indian government has issued an advisory, suspending visas and e-visas granted on or before March 3 for four coronavirus-affected countries -- Italy, Iran, South Korea, and Japan -- as part of the efforts to contain the spread of the deadly virus.

India suspends visas to citizens of Italy, Iran, Japan,South Korea

"All regular (sticker) Visas/e-Visa (including VoA for Japan and South Korea) granted to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan and issued on or before 03.03.2020 and who have not yet entered India, stand suspended with immediate effect. Those requiring to travel to India due to compelling reasons, may seek a fresh visa from the nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate," the advisory read.

The government had earlier suspended visas and e-visas to nationals from China in February.

Xiaomi cancels product launch events in March

Manu Kumar Jain has said that they have decided to not to host product launch events on-ground in March.

"Due to recent reports of COVID-19 #CoronaOutbreak in certain parts of the country, we've decided to not host product launch events on-ground in March. This is keeping in mind safety of fans, media friends, employees & partners. I urge you all to stay safe," Jain tweeted.

Madhav Sheth, CEO of Realme also tweeted "In light of current reports of #coronavirus impact & related advisory by health officials to maintain social distance as a precautionary measure, I'm calling off our biggest event. Will still give live speech in stadium with you watching #realme6series event online."

Air India asks people to follow protocol notified by the Ministry of Health

Air India asks passengers, who travelled on Feb 25 with person who tested positive for coronavirus, to follow Health Ministry protocols.

"This is for the attention of passengers who flew on AI154 Vienna-Delhi of 25th Feb' 20. One of the passengers has tested positive for #coronavirus. Please follow the protocol notified by the Ministry of Health regarding Corona Virus," Air India tweeted.

4 crew members under home observation since March 2: IndiGo

IndiGo has said 4 crew members, who were with coronavirus-infected passenger on Feb 20 Dubai-Bengaluru flight, under home observation since March 2.

Govt puts export restrictions on 26 pharma ingredients, medicines

The government has put export restrictions on 26 pharma ingredients and medicines, including paracetamol, vitamin B1 and B12, amid the coronavirus outbreak in China.

Govt puts export restrictions on 26 pharma ingredients, medicines

With this, export of these active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and formulations requires licence from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), an arm of the commerce ministry.

Earlier, there were no restrictions on outbound shipments of these products.

District Administration issues alert to 1000 companies in Noida

In view of the danger of coronavirus, Gautam Budh Nagar district administration has issued coronavirus alert notice to more than 1,000 domestic and foreign companies located here.

Anurag Bhargava, Chief Medical Officer

Anurag Bhargava, Chief Medical Officer at Gautam Budh Nagar said all the companies have been told that if any of their employees have gone abroad, they should be informed to the Health Department on their return to India.

Rupee breaches 73-mark, dives 47 paise against US dollar amid coronavirus uncertainty

Falling for the third consecutive session, the rupee on Tuesday slumped 47 paise to 73.23 (provisional) against the US dollar, as investor sentiment remained fragile amid concerns over the impact of coronavirus.

Forex traders said the Indian rupee which started the day on a positive note witnessed heavy volatility during the session and finally settled below 73 per US dollar level as uncertainty over coronavirus spooked investors.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local currency opened at 72.50. During the day it saw a high of 72.43 and a low of 73.34 against the American currency.

The domestic unit finally settled at 73.23 against the greenback, down 47 paise over its previous closing price.

Civil Aviation secretary and AAI chairman held review meeting

Civil Aviation secretary and AAI chairman held review meeting with all airports on preparations to prevent spread of coronavirus.

Taking all possible steps to keep Delhi safe: Minister

Addressing a press conference, Health Minister Satyendar Jain, flanked by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, said: "COVID-19 is a new infection, but there is no need to panic".

"We are taking all possible steps to keep Delhi safe. Isolation wards being readied in 25 hospitals, including 19 government and six private hospitals," Jain said.

As many as 3.5-lakh N95 masks are being arranged, the minister said. "We have over 8,000 separation kits for staff treating coronavirus patients."

CISF provides sanitisers, gloves and masks to its airport-guarding troops

The CISF has provided medical kits containing hand sanitisers, gloves and masks to all its personnel deployed to guard 62 civil airports in the country in view of the coronavirus scare, officials said.

They said as the personnel have close physical interaction with the outgoing and incoming passengers by way of frisking and talking to them, it has been ordered that the medical kit be stocked and used at all international and domestic airports under the force's security cover.

All the airports have been provided alcohol-based sanitiser bottles, hand gloves and face masks of the normal and N95 variety for use by our personnel, a senior CISF official said.

Tata group chairman expresses concern about Corona, says steel business also affected

Talking to reporters in Jamshedpur, Chairman of Tata Sons N Chandrasekaran said that not only Tata Steel but many industries have been affected due to the coronavirus spreading from China to many countries of the world.

He said that there is no impact on the production capacity of steel, but the transporting chain is definitely affected. The chairman of Tata Sons said that the management is keeping an eye on it. They have hoped that soon the effect of the corona virus will reduce.

High alert in New Mangalore port, airport

With the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) virus spreading to more countries and two more confirmed cases reported in India, the seaport and airport here have been put under high alert, officials said.

Dakshina Kannada district is particularly under surveillance as three confirmed cases of coronavirus were reported from neighbouring Kerala earlier.

Besides DK, alert has been sounded in Udupi, Kodagu, Chamarajanagar and Mysuru.

As part of the nationwide alert sounded in 21 airports and 77 ports in the country, authorities here also have taken maximum precautionary measures and passengers to the city are undergoing scrutiny both at the airport and the New Mangalore port.

DGCA asks all airlines to ensure aircraft disinfection process

DGCA asks all airlines to ensure that aircraft arriving from South Korea, Japan and Italy are subjected to disinfection process. It further said that ground handling staff entering international flights should have disposable protective gears like surgical masks, gloves.

(Inputs from agencies)