Entertainment

IIFA 2020 to be hosted by Salman Khan in MP postponed because of coronavirus scare

Sentinel Digital Desk

NEW DELHI: The International Indian Film Academy Awards 2020 (IIFA) scheduled to be held in March end in Indore, Madhya Pradesh has been postponed amid coronavirus scare.

“With due regard to the growing concerns around the spread of the COVID-19 virus and keeping the health and safety of IIFA’s fans and the general community at large, after consulting the Madhya Pradesh government, the IIFA management, and stakeholders from the film industry it has been decided to postpone to a later date the much-awaited IIFA Weekend and Awards 2020 celebrations which were originally scheduled at the end of March 2020,” according to a statement by IIFA.

https://twitter.com/IIFA/status/1235856307871076353

https://twitter.com/WizAndreTimmins/status/1235847002442723329

Health officials have asked people to avoid mass gatherings. In the wake of coronavirus outbreak, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah will not participate in Holi gatherings this year.

“There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection,” Modi tweeted.

He also tweeted a poster highlighting basic hygiene like washing hands frequently and avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth to prevent the spread of the virus.

A control room number is also provided in the tweet.

He also had an “extensive review” regarding the preparedness on the COVID-19. “Different ministries and states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention,” tweeted Modi.

On February 20, India’s first novel coronavirus patient after being treated at the Government Medical College hospital was discharged. Medical Board took the decision to discharge the woman from the hospital after her samples had tested negative for the second time.

The woman after returning from Wuhan was put in isolation and undergoing treatment.

Two other students infected with coronavirus, one from Alappuzha and another Kasaragod had been discharged recently after they too tested negative for the virus in fresh tests.

As of now there have been 31 cases of COVID-19 reported in India so far.