Coronavirus alert: Mangaluru Airport screens passengers

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, March 3, 2020: Following an inflow of passengers returning from gulf countries to the coastal areas of Karnataka, Mangaluru airport and harbour have been placed under high alert.

In efforts to ensure the deadly coronavirus does not strike the coastal areas of Karnataka, Mangaluru Airport and the harbours are scanning passengers. Those arriving from gulf countries and places  impacted by the deadly virus will undergo a thorough screening.

Authorities have also put up electronic flex boards at the airport which has information on coronavirus prevention, how its spreads and an appeal to the public to consult doctors in case they see symptoms like mild fever, cough, body pain.

The decision was taken following two cases that were reported yesterday; one from Delhi and one from Telangana. A Hyderabad based techie who has tested positive for the deadly virus arrived from Dubai after working with counterparts in Hong Kong. It is believed that the Indian techie who arrived in Bengaluru international airport a few days ago contracted the virus while in Hong Kong.

India had earlier reported three cases from Kerala, including two medical students from Wuhan in China, the epicentre of the deadly novel coronavirus. They had self-reported on their return to the country and tested positive for the infection. They were discharged from hospitals last month after recovering.

Assuring people that there is "no need to panic", Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter on Tuesday that he had held an "extensive review with number of ministries and state governments regarding preparedness levels". The government was working to contain any possible outbreak, he added.