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India issues new travel advisory; imposes restriction on COVID-19 affected countries

So far more than 100 countries across the world now have reported cases of COVID-19

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India issues new travel advisory; imposes restriction on COVID-19 affected countries

The Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has further updated its travel advisory issued on 6th March, 2020 for COVID-19.  

As per the updated travel advisory:

• As a precautionary measure, the Indian government has asked its citizen to avoid non essential travel abroad. The citizens were further advised to refrain from travelling to China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, Japan, France, Spain and Germany.

• All incoming international passengers returning to India should self-monitor their health and follow required Do’s and Don’ts as detailed by Government.

• All passengers having travel history to China, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, Japan, Italy, Thailand, Singapore, Iran, Malaysia, France, Spain and Germany are advised to undergo self-imposed quarantine for a period of 14 days from the date of their arrival. If such passengers are working in some organizations/institutions, their respective employers are advised to facilitate work from home during this period.

• In addition to the existing visa restriction, the ministry has asked the people travelling from or having visited Italy and South Korea to mandatorily submit certificate of having tested negative for Coronavirus from laboratories authorised by the health authorities of their countries. According to the advisory issued by health ministry, this measure will be effective from 10th March onwards as a temporary measure till the cases of COVID-19 subsides.

• With respect to restrictions on visa, besides the already issued instructions, all regular Visas (including e Visas) which have been granted to nationals of France, Germany and Spain on or before 11.03.2020 and where these foreigners have not yet entered India stands suspended.

•  Regular visas (including e Visas) granted to all foreign nationals who have travel history to these countries on or after 1.2.2020 and who have not yet entered India also stands suspended.

•  Visas of all foreigners already in India remain valid and they may contact the nearest FRRO/FRO through e-FRRO module for extension/conversion etc of their visa or grant of any consular service, if they choose to do so. A detailed notification to this effect is being issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BOI).