In a significant move to avoid close contact of people, the Indian Railways on Sunday has announced all passenger trains till March 31 to remain cancelled in view of the novel coronavirus.

The Delhi Metro has also announced total shut down of its services till March 31 due to the spread of novel coronavirus.

Public Service Announcement regarding Delhi Metro’s services till 31st March 2020. pic.twitter.com/IHcjXaxqAI

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— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (@OfficialDMRC) March 22, 2020

Minister Piyush Goyal in a tweeted informed about the cancellation of the trains and said, “Strengthening precautions against COVID-19, Railways has decided that no passenger train will run up to 31st March.”

Indian Railways in a statement told, “All passenger train services including Premium trains, Mail/Express trains, Passenger trains, Suburban trains, Kolkata Metro trains, Konkan Railways etc shall be cancelled till the 2400hrs of March 31, 2020.”

However, bare minimum level of services of suburban trains and Kolkata Metro Rail shall continue upto 2400hrs of March 22, 2020, it added.

Indian Railways further clarified that those trains which are running prior to 0400 hours on March 22, will be allowed to reach their destinations. “Adequate arrangements shall be made for the passengers, who have commenced their journey during the travel and at their destinations,” it said.

Strengthening precautions against COVID-19, Railways has decided that no passenger train will run up to 31st March.

Let us work together as #IndiaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/374b0V5sD3

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) March 22, 2020

Indian Railways has already instructed the cancellation of all its passenger trains on Sunday in view of ‘Janta Curfew’. It has also instructed to levy zero cancellation fees for the cancelled trains.

Full refund for all the cancelled trains can be taken till June 21, 2020, the statement said.

All the goods trains will keep plying in order to ensure the essential supplies in various parts of the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has on Thursday announced Janta Curfew – a preventive measure to tackle the deadly virus that has taken the entire planet in its grip.

In support of the initiative, the country has witnessed a total lockdown with malls, cinema halls, national monuments, and other public places already declared shut in the country.

Delhi’s prominent Connaught Place was also shut today to support the PM’s initiative.

“In a few minutes from now, the Janta Curfew commences. Let us all be a part of this curfew, which will add tremendous strength to the fight against COVID-19 menace. The steps we take now will help in the times to come. Stay indoors and stay healthy,” PM Modi tweeted yesterday, hours before the commencement of Janata Curfew.