Centre’s advisory on China travel

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 29

India today advised its nationals to refrain from travelling to China, where the death toll from the mysterious novel coronavirus (n-CoV) disease reached 132 and cases surged to 5,974.

Outside China, Thailand confirmed 14 cases; Japan seven; US, Macau, Taiwan and Australia five each; France, South Korea and Malaysia four cases each; Canada three; Vietnam two; Nepal, Germany, Cambodia and the UAE one each.

India has not witnessed any cases yet and Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said: “The National Institute of Virology, Pune, has tested 27 samples and all have been found negative.”

The PGI, Chandigarh, which had isolated a 28-year-old man from Mohali, today said the patient’s samples tested negative and he would be discharged. The government, meanwhile, reviewed evidence from China – 25 per cent rise in cases between Tuesday and Wednesday – before issuing the first travel advisory today.

“In view of the spurt of cases being reported from China and travel-related cases appearing in many countries you are advised to refrain from travelling to China. All travellers from China are advised to monitor their health closely and report respiratory stress symptoms to 24×7 helpline 011-23978046,” the advisory said. It was revised after earlier advising people to avoid non-essential travel to China.

National carrier Air India accordingly announced cancellation of Bombay-Delhi-Shanghai flight from January 31 to February 14 and said, “The cancellation charges for travel to and from Shanghai and Hong Kong on Air India flights are waived with immediate effect till further notice. AI 348/349 flight has been cancelled from 31st January to 14th February.”

Special Secretary Health Sanjeeva Redddy reviewed n-CoV preparedness with state counterparts with screening extended to more airports, including Mohali.

The Ministry of Health also issued “frequently asked questions” on the disease (available on its website) and said those with cough, cold, fever and shortness of breath should consult their doctors.

The Indian Embassy in China, meanwhile, asked nationals in Hubei province to urgently contact them ahead of the evacuation process. “We are working hard to ensure smooth evacuation of our citizens from Hubei province. We are already in touch with many sections of the Indian community in Hubei, including our students. We urge all Indian citizens from Hubei who have not yet contacted the embassy to do so urgently on our hotlines (+8618610952903, +8618612-083629, +8618612083617)

or dedicated email ID helpdesk.beijing@mea.go-v.in.” The government call centre for enquiries on the disease is 011-23978046.

China nod sought for flights to Hubei: MEA

MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said on Wednesday the “Chinese government has been requested for permission to operate two flights to bring back our nationals from Hubei province. We will share regular updates”.