India tour operators face severe blow from China coronavirus

People wearing masks are seen at Chennai International Airport, January 30, 2020. REUTERS/P. Ravikumar/Files

NEW DELHI, February 7 (Reuters) - Indian tour operators estimate they could lose up to $500 million because of cancellations from tourists from China and other countries due to the coronavirus outbreak, a cost that could rise four-fold if it persists through the year.

State carrier Air India has cancelled flights to China and Hong Kong until further notice while private carrier IndiGo has suspended its flights until February 20.

"There is a panic in the tourism sector as thousands of bookings have been cancelled," said E.M. Najeeb, vice president, Indian Association of tour operators.

He said foreign as well as domestic tourists were cancelling travel to the southern state of Kerala where three cases of the disease have been confirmed, prompting state authorities to declare a state of emergency.

More than 280,000 Chinese tourists visited India in 2018, and were among the top 10 spenders by nationality despite being less than 3% of 10.6 million foreign tourists in 2018, according to government estimates.

Tour operators said more than 50,000 Chinese tourists were expected to visit during January-February and most of these bookings were now cancelled. India like other countries has blocked the entry of people from China and Hong Kong.

"We fear immediate loss of up to $500 million as the coronavirus outbreak has hit the arrival of tourists from China, Hong Kong and neighbouring countries," said Pronab Sarkar, national president, Indian tour operators Association.

He said losses for domestic tour operators would be much higher, as many outgoing local tourists to China and other countries were also cancelling bookings after the outbreak.

India annually earns nearly $30 billion from foreign tourist arrivals, and is worried it could harm already weakened growth.

Sanjeev Sanyal, principal economic adviser to the finance ministry, told Reuters authorities were following the situation closely and would quickly respond as it evolved.

However, India could also benefit as the outbreak could lead to lower oil prices and softer global interest rates, he said.

Reserve Bank governor Shaktikanta Das flagged coronavirus as a new risk for stuttering economic growth, estimated to slip to an 11-year low of 5% in the financial year ending in March.

Situation on coronavirus under control: Health Secy

New Delhi, February 7 (IANS) The situation over the novel coronavirus is under control in the country and is being regularly monitored by the Prime Minister's Office, Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Cabinet Secretary on a daily basis," Health Secretary Preeti Sudan said on Friday while chairing a video conference with officials.

The conference was attended by Health Secretaries from states and Union Territories along with senior officials from the ministries of Shipping, External Affairs, Civil Aviation, Tourism and Home Affairs.

It aimed at reviewing their preparedness for prevention and management of Novel Coronavirus. The Health Secretary also informed the officials that various precautionary measures had been undertaken in close coordination with the concerned ministries at the central level.

The secretary asked the states to enhance the awareness activities regarding the updated advisories. She advised that the States and UTs needed to stay on alert and be more vigilant. For this purpose a portal has been put in place as a special surveillance web tool to monitor the cases on real time basis. This will also help for national-level monitoring. She advised that all the States/UTs need to fill the data accurately and in a timely manner.

She said that "Universal" screening for all flights from Singapore and Thailand, besides Hong Kong and China at earmarked aero-bridges, the new visa restrictions and advisories are issued in view of the emerging scenario globally.

"Ministry of Human Resource Development has been requested to take adequate measures to spread awareness of hygiene among the students across the country. To which officials said that the states and UTs had been following the protocols and guidelines issued, in order to avoid any eventuality. They also informed the secretary that sufficient stocks for the Personal Protection Equipments and masks had been procured.

"Adequate IEC activities like hoardings at the State's borders, pamphlet distribution, announcements etc are being undertaken to spread awareness about the symptoms and precautions" said one of the officials.

"The States bordering Nepal have informed that they have made all the necessary arrangements for screening of people transiting across the border. Orientation of the medical personnel and health officials has been conducted regularly. Special Gram Sabhas are being organised to boost awareness and sensitisation regarding the Novel Coronavirus diseases, its symptoms, preventive measures and reporting in the border villages."

According to the Ministry, 1,275 flights and 1,39,539 passengers have been screened so far at 21 Airports. All 645 evacuees from Wuhan have been tested negative for nCoV. As of now 1232 samples have been tested and 1199 samples were found negative, 30 are under process and 3 samples tested positive (Kerala). 6599 persons are presently under community surveillance in 29 States and UTs.

The Health Secretary urged that all the states needed to strengthen their rapid response teams to counter any eventuality. Also there needs to be role clarity and robust administrative structures in place at all Districts.

Dr Ganga Khedkar, 'G' Scientist, Head of ECD (Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases) Division, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) informed the health secretary that laboratory at Guwahati Medical College, Assam has also being utilised now for testing of Novel Coronavirus.