Coronavirus: Govt cancels all visa/eVisa issued to Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan nationals 

In an attempt to contain the further spread of coronavirus cases in India, the central government on Tuesday cancelled all visa/eVisa issued to Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan nationals on or before March 3. The ban is for those who had yet not entered India. In a statement, the government said this decision would be implemented with immediate effect.

The announcement comes a day after India reported two new confirmed coronavirus cases. The first case was reported in Delhi while the other was in Telangana. On Monday, the health ministry in a statement said they had travel histories to Italy and Dubai, respectively.

Besides this, the government has also revised its travel advisory in wake of the global coronavirus epidemic.

The government said the new advisory is being issued in view of the emerging global scenarios regarding COVID-19 (name of the disease caused by coronavirus) and that this advisory would replace all earlier advisories.

The new travel advisory states:

• All regular (sticker) visas/e-Visa (including visa on arrival for Japan and South Korea) granted to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan, and issued on or before march 3, 2020 and who have not yet entered India, stand suspended with immediate effect. Those requiring to travel to India due to compelling reasons, may seek fresh visa from nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate.
• Regular (sticker) visa/ e-visa granted to nationals of China, issued on or before February 5 were suspended earlier. It shall remain in force. Those needing to travel to India under compelling circumstances may apply for fresh visa to nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate.
• Regular (sticker) visas/e-visas granted to all foreign nationals who have travelled to China, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Japan on or after February 1, and who have not yet entered India stand suspended with immediate effect. Those requiring to travel to India under compelling circumstances may apply for fresh visa to nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate.
• Diplomats, officials of the United Nations and other international bodies, OCI cardholders and aircrew from above countries are exempted from such restriction on entry. However, their medical screening is compulsory.
• Passengers of all international flights entering into India from any port are required to furnish duly filled self declaration form (including personal particulars i.e. phone number and address in India) and travel history, to health officials and immigration officials at all ports.
• Passengers (foreign and Indian) other than those restricted, arriving directly or indirectly from China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore and Taiwan must undergo medical screening at port of entry.
• Indian citizens are advised to refrain from travel to China, Iran, Republic of Korea, Italy and advised to avoid non-essential travel to other COVID-19 affected countries.

Meanwhile, Air India has asked passengers, who travelled on February 25 with person who tested positive for coronavirus, to follow Health Ministry protocols.

The notification was issued on Twitter after one of the passengers on the flight was tested positive for coronavirus.