India’s capital on Thursday announced the closure of all schools, colleges and cinema halls till the end of March, and recommended the cancellation of mass gatherings as part of measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, "All cinema halls to remain shut in Delhi till March 31. Schools and colleges where exams are not being held will also remain closed.”
The state government has also declared coronavirus as an epidemic.
The move came as the number of people affected by the novel coronavirus in India rose to 73, Kerala had the most cases - 17.
Several states, including Kerala, have also shut educational institutions and crowded places like cinema halls.
The deadly virus was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization.
On Wednesday, India suspended all tourist visas until April 15 and said it would quarantine travellers arriving from seven virus-hit countries as it attempts to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.
The move comes as the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a pandemic, and as countries worldwide scramble to contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
India's visa suspension begins March 13 at 1200 GMT at the port of departure, the government's Press Information Bureau said.
