The Delhi government issued an advisory for the private sector to allow their employees to work from home till March 31 in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, an official said on Friday.

In the advisory, the government also asked people, particulary senior citizens, pregnant women and those affected with hypertension and diabetes, to remain at home.

'All private sector offices (including, multi-national companies, IT firms, industries and corporate offices) situated in NCT of Delhi are advised to allow their officers/employees to work from home till March 31, 2020,' the advisory stated.

Meanwhile, the Delhi government has ordered closure of all malls in the national capital with immediate effect, but exempted grocery and pharmacy stores in them.

Officials said all non-essential public dealing activities were stopped till March 31 while only essential public dealing activities will continue.

All non-essential staff are being directed to work from home while all permanent and contractual employees will be paid for this period.

On Thursday, the total number of coronavirus cases in the national capital rose to 14.

According to the Health Ministry data, the COVID-19 cases in India rose to 195 on Friday after 22 fresh cases were reported from various parts of the country.