New Delhi (NVI): Upping its ante in the face of coronavirus outbreak, India has suspended all visas, except a few categories such as diplomatic and employment, till April 15. The Ministry of Health has confirmed that there are total 73 COVID-19 cases in India, at present.
“All existing visas issued to nationals of any country except those issued to Diplomats, Officials, UN/International organizations, Employment, Project visas stand suspended till April 15, 2020. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on March 13, 2020 at the port of departure of any foreigner for onward journey to India,” the Bureau of Immigration, Home Affairs said in a statement today.
The latest travel advisory by the Government has been announced even as the WHO classified Coronavirus as a pandemic yesterday.
India has imposed stringent travel curbs as the World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic with more than 118,000 confirmed cases and 4,291 deaths in 114 countries.
However, the Bureau of Immigration further stated that visas of all foreigners already in India remain valid. “They may contact the nearest FRRO/FRO through e-FRRO module for extension/conversion of their visa or grant of any consular service if they choose to do so,” it stated.
India’s count of infected people stands at 73 now with no confirmed deaths so far from the disease.
Meanwhile, Italy has tightened its quarantine and the US has imposed a ban on flights to Europe.
Italy now has more than 12,000 confirmed cases and a death toll of 827. Nearly 900 people with the virus in Italy are in intensive care, the WHO said.
The United States has more than 1,000 cases with a total death toll of 30.
With its new cases, South Korea has 7,869 people with the virus, and a total death toll of 66.
Denmark – which has 514 confirmed cases, is to close all schools and universities from Friday. The government also urged the cancellation of events with more than 100 people attending.
Meanwhile, the virus appeared in new countries including Bolivia, Honduras and Turkey, while Indonesia, Bulgaria, Sweden and Greece recorded their first deaths, according to media reports.
Thailand has also reported 11 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, bringing the total number of cases in the Southeast Asian nation to 70, health officials said.
