PM Modi to skip Holi celebrations amid Coronavirus scare

Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided not to participate in the upcoming Holi celebrations amid the spread of Corona virus in the country. In a tweet, he also advised people to reduce mass gatherings. "Experts across the world have advised to reduce mass gatherings to avoid the spread of COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Hence, this year I have decided not to participate in any Holi Milan programme (sic)," he tweeted on 4 March.

Holi, one of the major festivals of India, will be celebrated on 10 March this year. During Holi, people usually gather in groups with family and friends to celebrate the festival.

The Cabinet secretary held a review meeting on 3 March via video conference with the secretaries of ministries, chief secretaries, and state health secretaries to review and assess action being taken to contain COVID-19. The travel restrictions imposed by the Central government were reviewed and shared with other states. All states have been asked to monitor airports in coordination with the concerned airport public health officers (APHOs) and airport managers so that effective screening takes place.

The Centre also shared guidelines on cluster management of COVID-19 with all the states two days ago. The ministry of health and family welfare is working with FICCI to work out a detailed standard operating procedure for COVID-19 management in private hospitals. During Tuesday's meeting, it was also informed that apart from the three COVID-19 positive cases in Kerala, 25 persons, including 16 Italian tourists, have tested positive.