(MENAFN - Gulf Times) The World Health Organisation yesterday lauded the measures taken by the Indian government to contain the spread of coronavirus as the number of cases in the country rose to 466.

Dr Roderico Ofrin, Regional Emergencies Director of WHO said: 'India has been rolling out a comprehensive and robust response to prevent and contain the spread of Covid-19.

'Its latest announcements related to quarantine and social distancing measures, including recent lockdown of 75 affected districts, suspension of rail, inter-state bus services and metro services are initiatives of unprecedented scale and reflect the country's resolve to prevent the spread of the pandemic.

These measures can help slow down the virus transmission along with the continued effective measures being taken to isolate, test, treat and trace, Ofrin said in a statement.

Seventy-five cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bengaluru went into complete lockdown till March 31 as India fights the most dreaded novel coronavirus.

Besides, Andhra Pradesh,Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar, Karnataka, Telangana, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, West Bengal, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Puducherry and Uttarakhand are in lockdown till the end of March.

Maharashtra and Punjab imposed curfews yesterday while Kerala announced a complete lockdown.

The total number of coronavirus positive cases reached 466 yesterday, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.

In Mumbai, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackerayon said the government was compelled to impose a ‘total lockdown' as all appeals to the masses to remain indoors fell on deaf ears.

'We are enforcing ‘sancharbandi' (curfew) for the entire state from midnight tonight.W e have reached a critical stage in the ‘war against virus', but the next few days are extremely crucial, Thackeray said.

According to legal experts, the move is tantamount to a more stringent ‘lockdown', but since certain concessions were allowed it is a watered-down version of ‘sancharbandi' which only the district magistrates can impose.

'If we don't take tough steps now, we may face a situation similar to other countries. Our repeated appeals seem to have had no impact. So we are forced to implement a ‘sancharbandi', Thackeray said.

Interestingly, the government's move came hours after the Microbiologists Society India (MSI) head A M Deshmukh warned of India possibly hurtling towards a catastrophe similar that facing Italy and Iran if crowds were not controlled by imposing total ‘janata curfew' for 14 days.

Thackeray said to insulate a few districts, which had escaped the coronavirus wrath, there would be complete ban on inter-district travel.

The Mumbai suburban trains and all public transport were shut down on Sunday night.

The ban has now been extended to even private vehicles, and Thackeray said the bare minimum movement would be permitted for only emergencies or essential services.

'For instance, in private vehicles only the driver and one-two persons will be allowed and in auto-rickshaw, the driver plus one, but that too only for emergencies. No entry to any temple, mosque, church or any religious place will be permitted except for the pujari, maulvi or priest, Thackeray said.

He reiterated his daily plea to the people not to take the issue lightly.

'Please do not play with your health, others' health, do not step out unless it's absolutely necessary.

Meanwhile, Kerala recorded 28 new cases the largest number in a day so far taking its total number of positive cases to 91, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said yesterday, and warned of punitive action for violation of isolation norms.

'No public transport will operate, state borders will be closed, but private vehicles will be allowed. Petrol pumps will be open. State government offices will be opened with full protection. All religious functions have to be cancelled. Shops selling essential things will be allowed, no serving in restaurants, but home delivery will take place. People should not loiter in the streets, and if found, will face arrests and fines, Vijayan said.

Shops selling essential items will be open from 7am to 5pm, while in Kasargode, which is badly-hit, the time will be from 11pm to 5pm.

'All those coming from other states will have to be in isolation for 14 days, Vijayan added.

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