New Delhi: As the threat of Novel Coronavirus looms large over India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday set up a Group of Ministers (GoM) to monitor the situation arising out of the outbreak.
The development took place hours after the third positive case of Coronavirus was confirmed in Kerala.
The first meeting of the GoM set up to review the preparedness for coronavirus took place in New Delhi.
Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, Minister for Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Minister Ashwini Kumar Chaubey, Minister for Shipping Mansukh Lal Mandaviya were present in the meeting.
According to sources, elaborate discussions were held in the meeting over the steps taken to fight coronavirus.
It was informed in the meeting that e-Visa facility for Chinese passport holders has also been temporarily suspended.
Read: Air India flight carrying 323 Indians, 7 Maldivians evacuated from Wuhan lands in Delhi
In wake of the outbreak, the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Army have also stepped in to quarantine people coming from China and other neighbouring countries.
Speaking exclusively to ETV Bharat, ITBP spokesperson Vivek Pandey said that as of now 406 people have been kept under observation at its Chhawala camp.
All necessary arrangements have been made for the people who are being kept at the camp.
"There are many families also with children... we have kept in mind that all their basic needs are fulfilled," said Pandey.
They will be kept under observation for at least 14 days before they are allowed to go home. Out of the 406 people, there are seven Mauritius nationals and one Bangladeshi.
Interestingly, two officials of the Indian embassy in China have also come to the ITBP quarantine camp.
Read: Watch: Haryanvi beats inside coronavirus quarantine facility
"Periodical checkups are being done as per medical protocol. All tests are negative till now. Sufficient amount of medicines are also kept at the centre. Four isolation beds are also kept ready in case of any urgency," said Pandey.
Meanwhile, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr PK Mishra chaired a high-level meeting over Novel Coronavirus. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Principal Advisor to Prime Minister PK Sinha, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba were present in the meeting.
On the other hand, sources in the health ministry said that the third positive case of Novel Coronavirus has been reported in Kerala. The patient has a travel history from Wuhan in China.
"The patient has tested positive for Novel Coronavirus and is in isolation in the hospital. The patient is stable and is being closely monitored," said sources.
Read: Isolation ward set up in Kerala's Kanhangad for Coronavirus treatment
