Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai (SD)

Mumbai, Mar 17: IIT Bombay has announced to shut down the Powai campus till March 31 to combat the outbreak of coronavirus responding to the measures taken by the city and state administration.

An emergency meeting of all heads of department of administrative and academic units was held on Tuesday to map the situation of the coronavirus outbreak. The management decided to ask the students to leave the hostels by the evening of March 20 adhering to the orders of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) and state administration to contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

An IIT-B official said that many of the students have already left the campus and all academic activities of the campus including research are closed till March 31 and no students will be allowed in the department or academic area.

"However, students having medical emergencies or international students will be given exemption and be allowed to remain in the hostel only with special permission from the dean. Students whose stay will be approved can avail only limited facilities," Chaudhari said.

Maharashtra state has recorded 42 positive coronavirus cases which is the highest in the country.