COVID-19 Now Pandemic: WHO | 12 Mar 2020

According to the latest assessment of the World Health Organisation (WHO), COVID-19 can be characterised as a pandemic now.

According to the WHO, a pandemic is declared when a new disease for which people do not have immunity spreads around the world beyond expectations.
On the other hand, an epidemic is a large outbreak, one that spreads among a population or region. It is less severe than pandemic due to a limited area of spread.

WHO noted with concern that 1,18,000 positive cases have been reported globally in 114 countries and more than 90% of cases are in just four countries.
- 81 countries had not reported any cases and 57 countries had reported 10 cases or less.

Preventive Measures by India

The Indian government has issued a new travel advisory stating that all existing visas, except diplomatic, official, U.N./International Organisations, employment, project visas, stand suspended till 15^th April, beginning from 13^th March.
Visa-free travel facility granted to OCI cardholders is also suspended for the same duration.
Any foreign national who intends to travel to India for compelling reason may contact the nearest Indian Mission.
All incoming travellers, including Indian nationals, arriving from or having visited China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain and Germany after 15^th Feb shall be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days.
International traffic through land borders will be restricted as well.
The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued an advisory to take all necessary steps in public transport vehicles to ensure sanitation of seats, handles and bars.
India will send a team of doctors to Italy for testing its nationals for coronavirus to bring them back, while samples of 529 more people have been brought from Iran.
The Union Home Ministry has transferred some of its power to the Union Health Ministry for tackling the COVID-19 if the outbreak turns out to be a disaster of national proportions.