Coronavirus Pandemic: All Schools, Colleges And Cinema Halls In Delhi To Remain Shut Till March 31

The number of people affected by coronavirus in the country climbed to 73 with 13 fresh cases, including one foreign national. Kerala had the most cases which is 17.

An official uses a thermal screening device on an employee in the wake of deadly coronavirus, at an office in New Delhi, Thursday, March 12, 2020. (PTI Photo/Arun Sharma)

Coronavirus update: In a major decision, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday announced that all cinema halls will remain shut in Delhi till March 31 along with schools and colleges where exams are not being held as a measure to counter the coronavirus. The Delhi government also declared coronavirus an epidemic.  The number of people affected by coronavirus in the country climbed to 73 with 13 fresh cases, including one foreign national. Kerala had the most cases which is 17. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Indians not to panic, but remain vigilant to keep the coronavirus at bay. "Say No to Panic, Say Yes to Precautions," the Prime Minister tweeted. Informing that no Minister will travel abroad in the coming days because of the pandemic, the Prime Minister said, "I urge countrymen to also avoid non-essential travel. We can break the chain of spread and ensure safety of all by avoiding large gatherings."

He had also requested against large-scale Holi congregation. Modi said the government was "fully vigilant" about the coronavirus outbreak. "Across Ministries & states, multiple steps have been taken to ensure safety of all. These steps are wide-ranging, from suspension of visas to augmenting healthcare capacities," he said. Meanwhile, the BSE Sensex registered its biggest single-day fall of over 2,900 points after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared coronavirus a global pandemic.