In a major step taken late evening on Friday, 13 March, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has instructed a mass shut down in the entire state of Rajasthan, assessing the concern caused by the pandemic status of Coronavirus.

As per the communication received from the Chief Ministers Office, Schools, Colleges, Cinema Houses, Coaching Centres, Gyms etc will remain closed till 30 March, with immediate effect. This has been done taking into the pandemic status of Coronavirus (COVID-19).  All public events and government programs involving mass involvement will be postponed till further notice.  Board and other examinations will continue as per schedule.  Hospital, Medical Colleges and Nursing Colleges will function as usual.

Ashok Gehlot, at a high level meeting convened at the Chief Ministers residence in the late hours of 13 March, said that WHO and UN have declared the Coronavirus a pandemic and looking at the situation, this step should be taken as a precautionary measure.

CORONA - Rajasthan Status so far:

Total People Screened for Coronavirus: Approximately 3 Lakh

Total People Tested for Coronavirus: 370

Total Patients found to be COVID-19 Positive: 3

The Chief Minister’s Office also advised the public to be aware and careful in their activities and movements, while at the same time not fear the disease as preventive measures by the administration are being incorporated.  There is no need for a panic situation, he advised.  He also advised people to avoid places where there is a mass congregation of people and avoid public transport as much as possible.

CMO statement added that as a precautionary measure, all public functions should be avoided, weddings should have the bare minimum public, people should avoid entering public areas unless deemed mandatory.  The statement further assured that the administration and government will come out with necessary advisory as and when needed.

State Minister Dr Raghu Sharma, Health Minister Dr. Subhash Garg, Chief Secretary DB Gupta, Addl Chief Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh, Vaibhav Gaalriya, Secretary School Education Manju Rajpal, SMS Medical College Principal Dr Sudhir Bhandari were among those present at the meeting.