RIMS management conducts a mock drill for coronavirus-affected patients, at a ward in designated quarantine centre, in Ranchi, Wednesday, March 11, 2020
As World Health Organistaion (WHO) declared the deadly coronavirus outbreak as pandemic, India decided to suspend all visas, barring select categories, till April 15, efectively closing its borders for a month on Wednesday.
According to media reports, the central government also advised all states and Union territories to invoke provision of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, which will enable them to enforce advisories as and when needed.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued a statement: "All existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/ international organisations, employment, project visas, stand suspended till 15th April 2020. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on 13th March 2020 at the port of departure. Visa free travel facility granted to OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) card holders is kept in abeyance till April 15th, 2020. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on 13th March 2020 at the port of departure. Any foreign national who intends to travel to India for compelling reason may contact the nearest Indian Mission."
ALSO READ | Coronavirus: India suspends all travel visas till April 15, OCI cardholders affected too
India suspends visa: What we know so far
- The government issued a notice stating that visa free travel facility granted to OCI card holders is suspended till April 15th 2020. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on 13th March 2020 at the port of departure.
- Amid the rising cases, stock markets continued to plunge, officially moving into bear-market territory. A bear market is generally called when stocks decline 20 percent from recent highs due to widespread negative sentiment.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the global coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.
- The total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in India now stands at 67, with fresh cases reported in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Kerala and Karnataka.
- The coronavirus scare has forced closure of schools and colleges in parts of the country. Delhi has shut its primary schools till March 31. Kashmir and Ladakh has shut its schools and colleges and the Indian Institute of Management has postponed its annual convocation.
- Maharashtra government has banned ticket sales for the 2020 Indian Premier League opener between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.
- Uber Technologies Inc said it might temporarily suspend the accounts of riders and drivers who have tested positive for the coronavirus or been exposed to it at the direction of health authorities.
- India bans entry of cruise ship, crew or passenger to major ports till March 31
- Indian Railways sets up over 1,000 isolation beds to tackle outbreak
- Coronavirus wipes $70 billion off global listed airlines.
Globally, there are more than 118,000 cases in 114 countries and 4291 deaths. The Covid-19 outbreak began in December 2019 in Wuhan in China’s Hubei province and has since spread to 89 countries and territories. There have been over 98,000 confirmed cases — 82 per cent of that in China alone — and 3,380 deaths, with over 3,000 just in China, according to the WHO.
The virus spreads when a person comes in contact with small droplets from an infected person’s nose or mouth and then touches her own eyes, nose or mouth.
(With inputs from agencies)
