Coronavirus: Government directs all 12 major ports to create screening and quarantine facility

The government has directed all 12 major ports to create screening, detection and quarantine systems for disembarking seafarers and cruise passengers to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said this in the Rajya Sabha yesterday. He said the Government has also taken several other measures to control the risk of novel Corona virus infection spreading to India.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted that much Indian crew and some Indian passengers on-board the cruise ship Diamond Princess were quarantined off Japan due to the coronavirus. He said none have tested positive, as per the latest information provided by the Indian Embassy in



Tokyo.

Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan said no new case has been detected in the country. The situation is under control and is being regularly monitored by the Prime Ministers Office, the Health Minister and the Cabinet Secretary on a daily basis for s, the status of preparedness and action took so far.

Ms Sudan chaired a video conference yesterday with the Health Secretaries from states and UTs along with senior officials from several ministries -- shipping, external affairs,  civil aviation, tourism and home affairs -- to review their preparedness for the prevention and management of nCoV. She also asked the states and Union Territories to stay on .