Delhi government declares coronavirus an epidemic, shuts schools, colleges and cinema halls

New Delhi: The Delhi government on Thursday declared coronavirus an epidemic and shut all cinema halls, schools and colleges, except those where exams are on, till March 31.

The government also made it compulsory to disinfect all public places, including government and private offices and shopping malls, every day in the national capital.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting attended by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, LG Anil Baijal and top government officials.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, the chief minister said the Delhi government was making arrangements for quarantine facilities at vacant flats owned by Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) and under-construction hospitals.

"All cinema halls will remain shut till March 31. Also, all schools and colleges, except those where exams are being held, will remain shut till March 31 due to coronavirus. The government has declared coronavirus an epidemic," he said.

He said that his government is fully prepared to deal with COVID-19, asserting that more than 500 beds in hospitals are ready to admit coronavirus patients if needed.

In the meeting, measures taken so far to tackle coronavirus were reviewed, Kejriwal said.

"Whatever we are doing is to deal with coronavirus. I hope that all will support us. In the entire world, coronavirus is rapidly increasing, but in India, we all have so far been able to contain it. If we are cautious, we can save our country from coronavirus," he said.

After the meeting, Baijal tweeted, "Reviewed preparedness to contain the COVID - 19 in Delhi with Hon'ble CM @ArvindKejriwal, Hon'ble Health Minister @SatyendarJain, CS, Delhi & other officers. Decision taken to close schools, colleges, cinema halls, etc. for some time to minimise the possibility of spread."

The number of coronavirus patients in the country has risen to 74 with 14 fresh cases, including a foreign national.

The national capital has so far recorded six cases of coronavirus.