India is appropriately geared up to avoid all foreign contacts for the time being. Other countries might also follow the suit since all countries can still change the course of this pandemic.
To cope with the escalation in domestic and international situation, the Government of India notified the cancellation of all non-official visas till 15th of April in 2020 while closes its Myanmar border as well along with advising its people against any non-essential travel abroad.
A few hours after the decision made in a high powered Group of Ministers meeting yesterday, the Bureau of Immigration under the Ministry of Home Affairs today notified the new norms as follows:-
ADVISORY: TRAVEL AND VISA RESTRICTIONS RELATED TO COVID-19 DATED 12TH MARCH, 2020
In supersession of all earlier advisories issued on this subject the following visa restrictions are issued for implementation –
i. 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.
ii. 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.
iii. Visa free travel facility granted to OCI card holders shall be kept in abeyance 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.
iv. Any foreign national who intends to travel to India for compelling reasons may contact the nearest Indian Mission for fresh visa.
v. All incoming travelers, including Indian nationals arriving from any destination and having visited China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain and Germany on or after February 15, 2020 shall be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on March 13, 2020 at the port of departure of such travelers.
vi. International traffic through land borders will be restricted to designated Immigration Checkposts with robust medical screening facilities. These will be notified separately by Ministry of Home Affairs.
2. In addition to the above visa restrictions the following travel advisory is hereby issued in accordance with instructions of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare –
i. Indian nationals presently abroad are advised to avoid non-essential travel. They are hereby informed that they can be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days on their arrival in India.
ii. All Indian nationals are strongly advised to avoid all non-essential travel abroad. On their return they can be subjected to quarantine for a minimum period of 14 days.