India will now screen passengers arriving from 12 countries for coronavirus

From CNN's Esha Mitra and Vedika Sud in New Delhi

India will now be screening passengers from 12 countries for coronavirus on arrival in the country, according to health minister Harsh Vardhan. 

Despite its close proximity to China and high population, India only has five confirmed cases of the coronavirus.

During a news conference on Monday, Vardhan said that passengers arriving from Vietnam, Malaysia, Nepal, Indonesia, Iran and Italy would now also be screened.

Passengers from China, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea were already being screened.

The screenings will take place in 21 airports, 12 major seaports and 65 minor ports.

A total of 3,217 samples have tested negative for coronavirus, five tested positive and 23 are still under testing, Vardhan added.

Citizens have been advised to avoid non-essential travel to South Korea, Iran, Italy and Japan, Vardhan said.