Both measures are expected to be temporary and will be in effect from March 18 to March 31. (Photo: AP)

Further clamping down on international travel amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Monday banned incoming of passengers from the European Union, the European Free Trade Association and the United Kingdom.

The travel ban will come into effect from 1200 hours GMT on March 18. According to the new travel advisory, no airline shall board a passenger from these nations to India.

Additionally, the health ministry has also imposed a compulsory 14-day quarantine period for passengers coming from/transiting through UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait.

Both measures are expected to be temporary and will be in effect from March 18 to March 31.

The health ministry announced the new travel advisory for Covid-19 in a joint press conference with the Ministry of External Affairs on Monday.

The Union health ministry also said four new coronavirus cases -- one each from Odisha, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and Kerala, have been reported, taking the total number of cases to 114 on Monday. These cases include 10 discharged, three cured and two deaths.

The 'contact tracing activity' of these positive cases has led to the identification of more than 5,200 contacts, who are kept under rigorous surveillance, health ministry officials said.

After a meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on coronavirus, the government has proposed a set of social distancing measures to be in force till March 31, the officials told reporters.

GOVT STRESSES ON SOCIAL DISTANCING

The Group of Ministers held their 7th meeting on Monday and after detailed deliberations, social distancing measures as a preventive strategy has been proposed for implementation.

The key measures proposed include the closure of all educational institutions -- schools, colleges and universities -- gyms, museums, cultural and social centres, swimming pools and theatres, Lav Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry said.

Students should be advised to stay at home and online education should be promoted, Aggarwal said.

"Non-essential travel should be avoided. Buses, trains and aeroplanes should maximise social distancing in public transport, besides ensuring proper disinfection of services," he said.

Restaurants should ensure handwashing protocol and proper cleanliness of frequently touched surfaces, the official said. The restaurants should also ensure physical distancing minimum 1 metre between tables and encourage open-air seating where practical with adequate distancing, Aggarwal said.

The government has urged local authorities to have a dialogue with organisers of sporting events and competitions involving large gatherings and they may be advised to postpone such events, he said. It has also proposed that local authorities should have a dialogue with opinion leaders and religious leaders to regulate mass gatherings and ensure no overcrowding.

"Local authorities should have a meeting with traders associations and other stakeholders to regulate hours, regulate do's and don'ts...and take up a communication drive-in market places like sabzi mandi, anaj mandi, bus depots, railway stations, post-offices etc., where essential services are provided," Aggarwal said.

Private sector organisations and employers are being encouraged to allow employees to work from home wherever feasible, he said. The government has also called for meetings, as far as feasible, to be held through video-conferences. Minimise or reschedule meetings involving a large number of people unless necessary, Aggarwal said.