NEW DELHI : The Indian government has suspended visas and e-visas granted on or before Tuesday to people travelling from Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan, effective immediately, following a surge in cases of COVID-19, commonly referred to as novel coronavirus, in these countries.
“Those requiring to travel to India due to compelling reasons, may seek fresh visa from nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate," the government said in a fresh travel advisory.
India had suspended grant of visas to Chinese nationals on 5 February following the outbreak in the country, and the new advisory reflects the rapid spread of cases in the four countries cited above.
The advisory issued on Tuesday now said that all regular (sticker) Visas/e-Visa (including VoA for Japan and South Korea) granted to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan and issued on or before 03 March 2020 and who have not yet entered India, stand suspended with immediate effect. Those requiring to travel to India due to compelling reasons, may seek fresh visa from nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate. Regular (sticker) visa /e-Visa granted to nationals of Peoples Republic of China, issued on or before 05 February 2020 were suspended earlier. It shall remain in force. Those needing to travel to India under compelling circumstances may apply for fresh visa to nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate.
“Regular (sticker) visas/e-Visas granted to all foreign nationals who have travelled to Peoples Republic of China, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Japan on or after 01.02.2020, and who have not yet entered India stand suspended with immediate effect. Those requiring to travel to India under compelling circumstances may apply for fresh visa to nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate," the advisory said.
“Diplomats, officials of UN and other International bodies, OCI cardholders and Aircrew from above countries are exempted from such restriction on entry. However, their medical screening is compulsory. Passengers of all international flights entering into India from any port are required to furnish duly filled self declaration form (including personal particulars i.e. phone no. and address in India) and travel history, to Health Officials and Immigration officials at all ports," it said.
The government has also said that passengers (foreign and Indian) other than those restricted, arriving directly or indirectly from China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore and Taiwan must undergo medical screening at port of entry. The government has said that Indian citizens are advised to refrain from travel to China, Iran, Republic of Korea, Italy and advised to avoid non-essential travel to other COVID-19 affected countries.
Since it was first reported in late December, the number of people infected has now topped 90,000 globally, and while more than 80,000 of these are in China, infections in other countries, especially Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan, have seen an alarming rise.
South Korea now has 4,800 cases, the largest number outside of China, while in Italy there are over 2,000 who have tested positive for novel coronavirus. In Iran, the number has risen to 1,501 as of today from less than 1,000 on Monday, while there are 274 cases in Japan, according to information available on the John Hopkins University portal for the disease.
There are more than 100 cases each in US, Singapore, Spain, Germany and France as well. On Monday, the Indian government confirmed two fresh cases of coronavirus, one in Delhi and another in Telangana. Six suspected cases have likely been detected in Agra who may have come in contact with the patient from Delhi. The government is awaiting test results from the National Institute of Virology in Pune, the health ministry said in an update on Tuesday.
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