NEW DELHI, March 12 (NNN-BERNAMA) — India has cancelled tourist visas and imposed curbs on international travel in a bid to contain the coronavirus spread.
All existing visas, except in categories such as diplomatic, official, employment and those related to projects, will be suspended till April 15, according to a government announcement late on Wednesday.
The visa-free travel facility granted to Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders has also been suspended until April 15.
OCI cardholders are mainly foreign nationals with Indian ancestry.
The government also announced that all incoming travellers, including Indian nationals, arriving from or having visited China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, France, Spain and Germany after February 15 will be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days.
The measures will come into effect from 1200 GMT on March 13.
“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. 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,” the Health Ministry said.
India has reported more than 60 confirmed cases of the coronavirus or COVID-19.
The Indian stock markets plunged more than seven per cent as global coronavirus concerns grew.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday described the coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic.
It has so far affected more than 118,000 people in 114 countries and caused the death of 4,291 people, according to the UN health agency.