Coronavirus difficult to isolate, developing vaccine may take up to 2 yrs: Health Ministry

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The Government of India on Thursday said that it is difficult to isolate coronavirus and developing vaccines will take at least one-and-a-half to two years. The Health ministry said that over 1,500 people have been kept under observation for coming in contact with the 73 positive cases of coronavirus in India. "Adequate coronavirus testing facilities have been established across the country. The efforts to deal with Covid-19 are being made in consonance with WHO with focus on a preventive approach," the Ministry added.

Addressing the media, Lav Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry said that three planes will be sent to Iran over next three days to bring back Indians stranded in the coronavirus-hit country.

It has issued a strict advisory on travel, isolating itself from the world as it suspended all visas, except a few categories such as diplomatic and employment, till April 15. The government also issued guidelines for home quarantine for suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Coronavirus Pandemic: Govt of India Issues Guidelines

1. Visa-free travel facility granted to Overseas Citizen Of India (OCI) cardholders are kept in abeyance till 15th April 2020. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on 13th March 2020 at the port of departure.
2.  Out of the 73 positive cases reported in India so far, 56 are Indians and 17 are foreigners.
3. the Government of India has evacuated 900 Indian citizens along with 48 belonging to other nations like Maldives, Myanmar, Bangladesh, China, US, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa, and Peru.
4. 52 testing facilities are located across the country. There are a total of 56 sample collection centers.
5. 1 lakh testing kits available, additional testing kits have already been ordered and they are also in procurement.
6. Mask is not always necessary, if a person maintains effective social distance, mask is not needed. There is no need to panic.