Due to the current situation regarding the spread of the coronavirus, France has decided to suspend the issuance of visas until further notice.

France has announced its decision to stop issuing visas, in all of its embassies and consulates abroad, due to the situation caused by the Coronavirus outbreak worldwide.

According to a notice published by the French government, visa issuance will be halted until further notice, including Schengen visas.

“Due to the current situation regarding the spread of the coronavirus, France has decided to suspend the issuance of visas until further notice. All visa types are affected: short stay Schengen visas, long-stay visas to France, visas to overseas territories. This suspension also applies to visa applications for which an appointment has already been made,” the statement read.

On Monday evening, the President of France Emanuel Macron had compared the situation with a war.

“We are in a health war”, he said, highlighting the severity of the situation.

Macron was the first of the leaders of the EU Member States to confirm that the EU had taken a shared decision to suspend travel between non-European and European countries for a month at least.

“As of tomorrow, midday, the European Union borders and the Schengen borders will be closed. Any travel between non-European and European countries will be suspended for the next 30 days,” Macron said.

The external borders of the Schengen Area were however closed a bit later than Macron announced,

During his speech, Macron announced that all French citizens will have to remain at home for two weeks, while those caught breaking this order will be punished, adding that the second round of local elections due to be held on March 22 would be postponed.

He also announced that gas, electricity, water bills and rent payments will also be suspended during the crisis.

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