Union health minister Harsh Vardhan on Wednesday said that India will now be screening international from all countries as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus outbreak.
Vardhan’s comments came during his press address on coronavirus in the national capital today. New Delhi had earlier put passengers from 12 countries under the scanner.
The development comes after the government confirmed three fresh cases of coronavirus this week.
As many as 21 Italian nationals and three Indians were under ITBP’s quarantine facility at Chhawla near Delhi of which 14 tested positive today. An Indian is also among those who have tested positive, the officials said.
Suspecting the emergence of cluster cases of the virus, India has stepped up the level of preparedness against coronavirus.
The 12 countries that were earlier under the scanner for possible spread of the infection included China, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Italy, Nepal and Iran.
While over 10 major and more than 50 minor seaports across the country are being screened, as many as 21 major airports are also conducting screenings.
More than 5 lakh people have been screened at the airports so far.
