India has suspended issuing all visas until April 15 and said it would quarantine travellers arriving from seven coronavirus-hit countries to halt the spread of the ‘pandemic’ virus. The official announcement also said that the visa suspension comes into effect except a few categories such as diplomatic and employment.
The announcement on Wednesday comes just before the World Health Organization’s declaration of the outbreak a pandemic. The visa suspension will come into effect from the early morning of Friday. The Indian High Commission in Dhaka said they would not issue any new visa either until April 15.
“All existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/International Organizations, employment, project visas, stand suspended till 15th April 2020. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on 13th March 2020 at the port of departure,” the Indian government said in a statement.
The decision followed a high level group of ministers’ review of the current status, and actions for prevention and management of COVID-19 led by Health Minister Harsh Vardhan. However, any foreign national who intends to travel to India for ‘compelling reason’ may contact the nearest Indian Mission.
“International traffic through land borders will be restricted to designated check posts with robust screening facilities. These will be notified separately by M/o Home Affairs.” “All incoming travellers, including Indian nationals, arriving from or having visited China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, France, Spain and Germany after February 15t shall be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on March 13 at the port of departure.”
Incoming travellers, including Indian nationals, are advised to avoid non-essential travel and are informed that they can be quarantined for a minimum of 14 days on their arrival in India, according to the decision. “Indian nationals are strongly advised to avoid all non-essential travel abroad. On their return, they can be subjected to quarantine for a minimum of 14 days.” Foreigners already in India with valid visas are unaffected by the new requirements. India confirmed 60 cases including 16 Italian tourists.
