Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced he will not be taking part in Holi events this year and has also advised fellow citizens to avoid mass gatherings amid the global scare over coronavirus.

In a tweet on Wednesday, a week ahead of Holi, PM Modi said, "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."

On Tuesday, PM Modi urged people to not panic as India counted a total of 6 confirmed cases of coronavirus. On Wednesday, AIIMS said that 15 from the group of Italian tourists in India have also tested positive. However, they will undergo further tests before confirmation.

The group of Italian tourists have been quarantined in New Delhi.

The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday said all regular visas/e-visas granted on or before March 3 to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan, who have not yet entered India, stand suspended in view of the emerging global scenarios regarding COVID19 disease.

On February 4, India had cancelled the existing visas for Chinese nationals and foreigners who had visited the neighbouring country in the preceding two-week period, following the outbreak of Coronavirus which has now spread to over 60 countries and claimed over 3,100 lives. Over 90,000 have been infected all over the world.

Visa on arrival (VoA) issued on or before March 3 to Japanese and South Korean nationals, who have not yet entered India, have also been suspended.

Also read: 15 Italian tourists in India test positive for coronavirus, says AIIMS

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