As Coronavirus Concerns Grow, India Shuts Doors To Foreigners, Visas Suspended Till April 15

The Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak which has now been officially recognized as a pandemic is unprecedented in many levels and countries across the world are taking unprecedented steps to contain it. In India too, the situation is no different. With the recent spike in the number of people testing positive for the virus the country too is resorting to unprecedented measures.

BCCL

India has in effect quarantined itself as the country on Wednesday suspended visas to curb incoming traffic and advised against all non-essential travel abroad which also curbs outgoing travel. This means that all visas, including those already issued and e-visas, stand cancelled till April 15.

An official statement said that all existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/International Organizations, employment, project visas, stand suspended till April 15. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on March 13 at the port of departure. The visa-free travel facility granted to OCI cardholders is kept in abeyance till April 15. Any foreign national who intends to travel to India for compelling reason may contact the nearest Indian Mission.

BCCL

Even outgoing travel is being cautioned against and a minimum of 14 days quarantine will be subjected. 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. All these measures are applicable from 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. International traffic through land borders will be restricted to designated check posts with robust screening facilities.

BCCL

In another drastic measure, the Indian government has decided that all states should be advised to invoke provisions of Section 2 of Epidemic Disease Act, 1897 which was enacted in the British era to enforce all advisories. All States/UTs should be advised by Union Health Ministry to invoke provisions of Section 2 of Epidemic Disease Act, 1897 so that all advisories being issued from time to time by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare/State/UTs are enforceable.

Section 2 of the 1897 Act gives the power to take special measures and prescribe regulations as to dangerous epidemic diseases.

The new norms for travel will have serious repercussions for the economy, aviation, travel, hospitality, consumer sentiment, exports and services sectors among other sectors and business is likely to take a back seat as precautions take centre-stage.

BCCL

One of the reasons behind the drastic steps was the 16 Italians who were on a trip to India tested positive for Covid-19 in Delhi. Since then, several people, mostly those with travel history to countries including Italy and Iran have tested positive for the infection.