Coronavirus: Mumbai prepares to receive 26,000 returnees from Gulf countries

While battling the highest number of coronavirus cases in India, Maharashtra is gearing up to welcome 26,000 returnees from Gulf countries between March 19 and 31

Mumbai: The total number of coronavirus positive cases in India jumped further to 168 on Thursday. With Maharashtra registering the highest number of cases with the toll going up to 47, Mumbai’s civic body, BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation, is preparing to quarantine 26,000 Indians who will land between March 19 and 31 from different places.

Two women tested positive for coronavirus in Mumbai metropolitan region on Thursday, taking the number of such cases in Maharashtra to 47, officials said. While one woman had returned from the UK, another one had come back from Dubai, they said.

According to a report on TNN, the BMC’s estimate of 26,000 comes from arrivals at the city’s airport and information about travellers obtained from the Centre; 23 flights will be landing in Mumbai from these countries every day. 

Most Indians expected to land now are employed as blue-collar workers in the Middle East, as per officials. They would be broken up into categories. Those who are healthy and have their homes in Mumbai will be allowed to go home, where they will have to self isolate for 14 days. Those who show symptoms would be sent for tests and those deemed vulnerable, such as senior citizens, would be placed in quarantine immediately.

“We all have to take precautionary measures, avoid unnecessary travelling. We are fighting a war against Coronavirus,” said Uddhav Thackeray, Maharashtra chief minister. 

Mumbai's 'Dabbawalas' have suspended their services from March 20 till March 31.

Meanwhile, the Council for ICSE and ISC has postponed all exams for classes 10 and 12 between March 19 and 31 due to the novel coronavirus pandemic threat. The council said the revised dates will be announced later once the situation improves.