Coronavirus: All educational institutions, museums, public places shut in India

India has shut down all educational institutions, gymnasiums, museums, cultural and social centres, swimming pools and theatres from tonight till March 31 to contain the spread of coronavirus.

The authorities advised students to stay home and called for online education to be promoted, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

The authorities also banned the entry of passengers from member states of the European Union, the European Free Trade Association, Turkey and the United Kingdom with effect from March 18 till March 31.

The decisions were the latest in a series of steps taken by the Indian government to cope with the disease that has already claimed two lives and affected 110 people in the country.

"These measures are a preventive step to contain Covid-19 in the country and will be temporarily in force till March 31," the country's health ministry said, adding that the decisions would be reviewed subsequently.

India also decided to extend compulsory quarantine for a minimum period of 14 days for passengers coming from or transiting through UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait with effect from 1200 GMT on March 18 till March 31.