The All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) director, Dr Randeep Guleria on Saturday said there is a minimum chance that COVID-19 or coronavirus could make its entry into Northeast.
The statement assumes significance at a time when states across India are spending sleepless nights following the threat of novel coronavirus or COVID-19.
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“The virus is basically coming with people who are coming from abroad. In this situation there is no chance that it can make inroads to Northeast,” Dr Guleria told Northeast Now.
Guleria hailed the government’s decision of suspending all visas till April 15.
Flights between major cities of Bangladesh and India have also been suspended due to the virus.
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As a preventive measure, the northeastern states of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh have banned the entry of foreigners.
Manipur has also imposed restrictions on the movements of people along the Indo-Myanmar border.
Dr Guleria said AIIMS is all set to face any emergency.
“We have set up a COVID-19 task force comprising various departments of AIIMS. We are regularly monitoring and reviewing the situation in India,” said Dr Guleria.
As on Saturday, 83 positive COVID-19 cases have been detected in India. Two persons, who were infected by coronavirus, have died in the country including one reported from Karnataka and another from Delhi.