As the number of coronavirus cases in India is on a spike, the government has imposed further visa restrictions on passengers travelling from or having visited Italy and South Korea. According to the Union Health Ministry, those who visited the places mentioned need to carry a medical certificate saying they tested negative for COVID-19 from laboratories authorised by the health authorities of their countries.
The new provision will come into effect from March 10th. The travel advisory issued by the Ministry also made it clear that this is a temporary measure till cases of novel coronavirus subside.
Earlier, India has suspended both regular and e-visas granted to Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan issued on or before March 3, 2020. Such nationals who have not entered India have been asked not to do so and if they need to come here, they must seek a fresh visa from their nearest Indian mission. The advisory also reads that the government has also suspended visa on arrival (VoA) issued on or before March 3 to Japanese and South Korean nationals who have not yet entered India.

Apart from that, Regular (sticker) visa/e-visa granted to nationals of China issued on or before February 5, 2020, were suspended earlier.
Though the government has given relief from travel restrictions to diplomats, officials from the UN and other intergovernmental bodies and Overseas Citizenship of India cardholders, they will have to pass through a medical screening on the point of their entry into India.

The advisory comes after the Union Health Minister said that India has 29 confirmed coronavirus cases (Now, 30). Air India has reduced frequencies to many affected countries. Also, the health ministry has mandated screening of all foreign nationals since March 4 and has started in most airports from Wednesday evening.

Source: Times of India, ANI news, Financial Times.

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