India will suspend all tourist visas from Friday March 13 to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the country.
Details of the suspension
According to an official statement by India's Ministry of Health, all existing visas will be suspended till April 15.
However, the visas do not include those issued to diplomats, officials, United Nations or international organisations, employment and project visas.
Visas of foreigners who are already in India remain unaffected.
Foreign nationals who plan to travel to India for "compelling reasons" may contact their nearest Indian mission for fresh visas.
In addition to the visa suspension, all travellers, including Indian nationals, arriving from or having visited China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain and Germany after Feb. 15 will be quarantined for 14 days.
The statement added that international traffic through land borders will be restricted through designated check points with "robust medical screening facilities".
The new measures were decided after the ministers of India held a meeting, led by Health Minister Harsh Vardhan.
You can read the full statement here:
India has 60 confirmed cases as of Mar. 11
As of March 11, India has a total of 60 confirmed Covid-19 cases, with no fatalities so far.
Many of the cases have been blamed on Indians who have been to affected countries in Europe and the Middle East.
After the visa announcement, national carrier Air India stated that it will temporarily suspend flight services to Italy from March 15.
Top image from Getty Images.