India suspends visas for Italy, Iran, S Korean and Japanese nationals; AI cuts frequencies

NEW DELHI: India has suspended both regular (sticker) and e-visas granted to Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan issued on or before March 3, 2020. Such nationals who have not entered India have been asked not to do so and if they need to come here, they must seek a fresh visa from their nearest Indian mission. With coronavirus spreading rapidly in many parts of the world, the Indian Bureau of Immigration (BoI) on Tuesday issued a fresh set of “travel and visa restrictions related to Covid-19.”
Air India has reduced frequencies to many affected countries.“Till March 31, our Delhi-Tokyo flight will be flying four times a week instead of five at present; Delhi-Seoul and Delhi-Milan will fly twice a week instead of four and Delhi-Rome will be operating twice a week instead of thrice. And till May-end, our two dailies — Mumbai-Singapore-Delhi and Delhi-Bangkok-Mumbai — will be operating four and three times a week, respectively,” said an AI spokesperson. The airline is now reviewing the situation “every 15 hours” and is likely to decide on its Jeddah flight by the evening.
The BoI Tuesday order says: “All regular (sticker) visas / e-visa (including visa on arrival or VoA for Japan and South Korea) 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 with immediate effect. Such foreign nationals may not enter India from any air, land or seaport. Those requiring to travel to India due to compelling reasons may seek fresh visa from nearest Indian embassy/consulate,” it says.
“Regular (sticker) 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 from any air, land, seaport, stand suspended with immediate effect. Those requiring to travel to India under compelling reasons may apply for fresh visa from nearest Indian embassy/consulate,” it adds.
Regular (sticker) visa/e-visa granted to nationals of China issued on or before February 5, 2020, were suspended earlier. Diplomats, UN officials and other international bodies, OCI cardholders and aircrew from above countries are exempted from such restriction on entry. However, their medical screening is compulsory.
“All foreign and Indian nationals entering into India from any port are required to furnish duly filled self-declaration form (including personal particular phone number and address in India) and travel history to health officials and immigration officials at all ports. Passengers (foreign and Indian) other than those restricted arriving directly or from China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore and Taiwan must undergo medical screening at port of entry,” the BoI order says.