A woman wearing mask is seen at Indra Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India, March 12, 2020. The Indian government has suspended all tourist visas amid COVID-19 scare. The number of COVID-19 cases in India rose to 73 Thursday, up from 60 in the previous day, India's federal health ministry said. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)
NEW DELHI, March 12 (Xinhua) -- The number of COVID-19 cases in India rose to 73 Thursday, up from 60 in the previous day, India's federal health ministry said.
Of all the cases, 56 are Indian nationals and 17 are foreign nationals, a statement issued by India's federal Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.
Nine new cases were reported in Maharashtra, two in Uttar Pradesh and others in Delhi.
Authorities across India have sounded an alert and urged people to avoid unnecessary foreign travel and mass gatherings.
India on Wednesday suspended all visas, barring diplomatic, official, UN/international organizations, employment, project categories until April 15.
The federal government has also advised all states and union territories to invoke provisions of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, which will enable them to enforce advisories as and when needed.
The federal health ministry has launched a 24x7 helpline number to provide support to people regarding queries on COVID-19. The health ministry is also circulating the precautionary measures recommended by WHO for the prevention of COVID-19 in India.
Authorities in various states have closed schools and cinema halls until March 31 as a precautionary measure.
People wearing masks are seen at Indra Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India, March 12, 2020. The Indian government has suspended all tourist visas amid COVID-19 scare. The number of COVID-19 cases in India rose to 73 Thursday, up from 60 in the previous day, India's federal health ministry said. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)
People wearing masks are seen at Indra Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India, March 12, 2020. The Indian government has suspended all tourist visas amid COVID-19 scare. The number of COVID-19 cases in India rose to 73 Thursday, up from 60 in the previous day, India's federal health ministry said. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)
People wearing masks are seen at Indra Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India, March 12, 2020. The Indian government has suspended all tourist visas amid COVID-19 scare. The number of COVID-19 cases in India rose to 73 Thursday, up from 60 in the previous day, India's federal health ministry said. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)
People wearing masks are seen at Indra Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India, March 12, 2020. The Indian government has suspended all tourist visas amid COVID-19 scare. The number of COVID-19 cases in India rose to 73 Thursday, up from 60 in the previous day, India's federal health ministry said. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)
People are seen wearing masks outside the special wards in Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases, where suspected coronavirus patients are being checked, in Bangalore, India, March 12, 2020. The number of COVID-19 cases in India rose to 73 Thursday, up from 60 in the previous day, India's federal health ministry said. (Str/Xinhua)
Medical workers are seen wearing masks outside the special wards in Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases, where suspected coronavirus patients are being checked, in Bangalore, India, March 12, 2020. The number of COVID-19 cases in India rose to 73 Thursday, up from 60 in the previous day, India's federal health ministry said. (Str/Xinhua)
People are seen wearing masks outside the special wards in Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases, where suspected coronavirus patients are being checked, in Bangalore, India, March 12, 2020. The number of COVID-19 cases in India rose to 73 Thursday, up from 60 in the previous day, India's federal health ministry said. (Str/Xinhua)
