In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak in the world, the Mizoram government on March 16 (Monday) urged the people to stay inside their homes.

"Stay inside your homes and venture out only if it is an unavoidable and extreme emergency situation," a government order said.

As a precautionary measure, the Mizoram government has also announced the closure of all educational institutions, both government and private, for two weeks from March 17 till March 31.

The decision to close down the educational institutions was taken in a meeting of Mizoram Health department under the leadership of Health Minister Dr R Lalthangliana.

"The decision to close down every educational institution was taken in the meeting under The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 (Act No. 3 of 1897)," The Morung Express reported quoting a government official.

The official informed that the decision was also taken to ban picnic, cinema halls and swimming pools to prevent the mass gathering from March 17 to March 31.

"It was also decided to ban the mass gathering in hospitals," the official added.

"In the meeting, it was also decided to prohibit outsiders from visiting inmates of residential institutions, de-addiction centres and children homes," the official added.

He further informed that a request would also be sent to all churches through Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitute Committee (MKHC) for the campaign.

Classes were also suspended by the Mizoram University (MZU) and Pachhunga University College (PUC) amid coronavirus scare.

The classes will remain suspended till April 3.

Registrar of MZU, Prof Lal Nundanga, informed that the decision to suspend classes was taken as per the Centre's directive to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

"However, offices will remain open and both teaching and non-teaching staffs will have to come to the universities during the suspension," Lal Nundanga added.

He further informed that the suspension order will be reviewed on March 27.

He also informed that the students, however, will be allowed to collect study materials and fill up of examination forms during the closure period.