Coronavirus: India suspends all travel visas till April 15

Coronavirus: India on Wednesday decided to suspend all travel visas in light of the coronavirus outbreak. In a press release, Press Information Bureau (PIB) said that all visas except diplomatic, official, UN/International Organizations, employment, project visas stand suspended. The suspension will come into effect at 12 pm (GMT) on March 13.

The government has also imposed a mandatory quarantine for incoming travellers. According to the PIB release, all travellers (including Indians) who have arrived from Italy, Iran, China, South Korea, Spain, Germany after February 15 will have to undergo a mandatory quarantine of minimum 14 days. The press release also advises Indians to avoid non-essential travel abroad. PIB states that Indians returning from global travel will be subjected to 14-day mandatory quarantine.

Restrictions have also been imposed on persons having Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. All OCI cardholders normally enjoy visa-free travel, but in light of Coronavirus outbreak restriction have been put in place. Now OCI cardholders will not be able to undertake visa-free travel till April 15, 2020.

PIB release said that if any foreign national wants to travel to India for urgent purpose, he or she may contact the nearest Indian Mission.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation has officially declared Coronavirus to be a pandemic disease.

"WHO has been assessing this outbreak around the clock and we are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity and by the alarming levels of inaction. We have therefore made the assessment that COVID19 can be characterized as a pandemic," said Dr Tedros Adhanom, Director-General of World Health Organisation.

Taking note of the developments, the national carrier Air India cancelled flights to Italy and Korea till March 28 and March 25 respectively.

(With inputs from Anand Pandey)

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