The crew and passengers of ships arriving from China or certain other South-East Asian countries have been barred from entering Mumbai port as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus.

The Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) has also restricted the entry of crew and passengers who visited China in the past one month and banned all shore leave/excursions for them.

"We are also obtaining self-declaration from Chinese crew/passengers and those with a history of recent trips to China," an official said.

Till date, MbPT health authorities have screened 177 persons, including 158 crew, from ships arriving from China or with a history of recent travels to that country.

However, none tested positive, but strict preventive measures continue, the official added.