Tourist in Agra wear protective masks in wake of the deadly novel coronavirus

NEW DELHI: India has suspended both regular (sticker) and e-visas granted to nationals of Italy, Iran , South Korea, and Japan on or before March 3, 2020. Those who are yet to enter India have been asked not to do so. And if they must come to India for any pressing reason, they should request for a fresh visa, according to a fresh set of “travel and visa restrictions” issued by the Indian Bureau of Immigration (BoI) on Tuesday.

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Air India, too, decided to reduce frequency of flights. “Till March 31, our Delhi-Tokyo flight will fly four times a week, instead of five; Delhi-Seoul and Delhi-Milan will fly twice a week, instead of four, and Delhi-Rome will operate twice a week. Till May-end, daily flights Mumbai-Singapore-Delhi and Delhi-Bangkok-Mumbai will operate four and three times a week, respectively,” an AI spokesperson said.

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Diplomats, UN officials won’t be subject to visa curbs

The airline is reviewing the situation “every 15 hours” and is likely to decide on its Jeddah flight soon. The BoI order read: “All regular (sticker) visas/e-visa (including visa on arrival) granted to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan and issued on or before March 3, 2020, and who have not yet entered India, stand suspended.

Those requiring to travel to India due to compelling reasons may seek fresh visa from nearest Indian embassy/consulate.” The order also said regular visa/e-visa granted to all foreign nationals who have travelled to China, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Japan on or after February 1, 2020, and have not yet entered India stand suspended with immediate effect.” However, diplomats, officials of UN and other international bodies, OCI cardholders , and air crew from these five countries have been exempted from restrictions.

