People coming via 'safe countries' to mask their travel history: Rajesh Tope

The number of positive cases of coronavirus or COVID-19 in India has increased to 223 while new cases have been tested positive for the deadly virus in Maharashtra taking the state’s toll to 52.  In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the central government has placed compulsory quarantine for Indian citizens coming to the country from countries like China, Italy and Iran.  

Having said that, Maharashtra Public Health Minister Rajesh Tope informed that people coming from international destinations to India are taking “detours to safe countries like the Netherlands to hide their travel history” leading to the spread of coronavirus. 

Tope further informed that they have been telling the central government either to check the travel history for at least 15 days or maximum one month of people travelling to India from abroad. “Few people could be coming into India via countries ‘considered safe’,” said Rajesh Tope. 

“Some people who have come from ‘safe destinations’ have been tested positive for the coronavirus. These countries are not on the mandatory quarantine list,” Tope said while stating that the Maharashtra Health government has observed it. 

With the soaring number of coronavirus cases, the Maharashtra government has decided to shut down all non-essential shop and establishment including non-essential workplace to stop the spread of the coronavirus and encourage social distancing. 

However, public transportation is still functional. However, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray the people to not step out of their homes unnecessarily or else his government will take a stringent step to shut down the public transport including local trains. 

The Chief Minister also requested the employers of establishments to at least pay minimum wages to their employees as this is not a holiday but is being forced upon due to the coronavirus outbreak. 

On March 20, the Mumbai’s famous Dabbawalas also suspended their services till March 30 in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. 

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