Bhopal, Mar 21 (IANS): In order to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the authorities in Bhopal have ordered to shut down all restaurants and eateries in the city, officials said.

Official announcements are also being made to this effect.

"Restaurants, hotels and road side eateries will not sell any food items. If they do so and obstruct any officer or employee of the State Government, or a person authorised by the State Authority or District Authority in the discharge of his functions in preventing them from doing so, action will be taken under section 51 of the Disaster Management Act," said the official order of the district administration of Bhopal.

The official order came after four persons tested positive of coronavirus in Jabalpur on Friday (March 20).

The authorities had earlier banned the bookings of marriage gardens, rest houses and community halls till April 15 in the wake of coronavirus threat.

The district authorities have also prohibited social, cultural and religious gatherings in the city till March 31.