• World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the novel coronavirus as pandemic. As per WHO, a pandemic is the worldwide spread of a new disease.
  • India suspended all tourist visas and e-visas for travellers granted on or before March 11, 2020.  All existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/international organisations, employment, project visas, stand suspended until April 15, 2020.
  • US bans travel from Europe. President Donald Trump announced new travel restrictions, under which the country has banned travel from Europe (except the United Kingdom) for the next 30 days.
  • The Olympic flame for the 2020 Tokyo Games was lit in ancient Olympia amid uncertainties due to Covid_19. Although experts say that games are unlikely to be called off.
  • American actor and filmmaker,Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson test positive for the virus.
  • Ireland issues nationwide shutdown. Schools, child care facilities, public offices and colleges are among the places that will remain close.
  • United Kingdom planning to adopt Social distancing, suggested by WHO, as a safety measure. Although, the exact nature of this rule is not announced yet, it is said to involve steps like shunning handshakes, restricting public gatherings and issuing more widespread advice to stay at home.