India suspends all visas in attempt to contain coronavirus spread

India has announced that all visas, barring a select few categories, will be suspended for a month in order to halt the spread of Covid-19.

Visa free travel afforded to overseas citizens of the country has also been suspended until 15 April.

The move comes as the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a pandemic, and as countries worldwide scramble to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

India has 73 confirmed cases of the virus, the health ministry says.

According to the advisory, only diplomatic, official, employment and project visas will be exempt from the current restrictions, which take effect on Friday and will be reviewed again in a month.

However, it has said that even those allowed in could be subject to 14 days of quarantine and has warned against “non-essential travel”.

After the visa announcement, national carrier Air India announced that it was temporarily suspending flight services to Rome, Milan and Seoul. All of actions are in order to prevent coronavirus spread.

Contact the embassy of India in your country to get latest information.