NEW DELHI: With the rapid spread of Covid-19 across continents, and WHO formally terming the disease a pandemic, the government on Wednesday evening decided to virtually quarantine itself from the rest of the world, suspending all visas, except those issued for diplomatic, official, UN-international organisations, employment and projects till April 15.
The exception to the suspension indicates personnel from agencies like WHO or UN and those held to be important for Indian firms or government projects are being distinguished from tourists and other travellers. Visa-free travel facility to Overseas Citizen of India card holders will be in abeyance till the same date and a foreign national seeking to travel to India has to state a compelling reason to an Indian mission.
Coronavirus outbreak: Complete coverageThe decisions were announced after a group of ministers headed by health minister Harsh Vardhan met to review and take stock of the Covid-19 situation domestically and abroad. Though the numbers in India are going up incrementally, the spread of the virus to more than 100 countries spurred the government's decision to opt for a "nuclear" response to the threat by significantly isolating India.
"This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on March 13 at the port of departure," the new advisory said as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in India touched 60 on Wednesday with 10 new cases - eight from Kerala and one each from Rajasthan and Delhi. On Tuesday, six new cases were confirmed by the health ministry after 44 positive cases were officially declared on Monday.
More on Covid-19The six new cases on Tuesday included three positive ones from Bengaluru (with travel history from US via Dubai), another from Bengaluru with travel history from US via Heathrow and two positive cases from Pune (travel history from Dubai). More than 1,400 contacts have been put under surveillance for these positive cases. Also, 404 Indian contacts of the US citizen tested positive for Covid-19 in Bhutan have been identified and put under surveillance in Assam.
The major decision to suspend visas, in addition from the ones notified so far, aims to protect Indian citizens by avoiding import of infected cases from outside the country, the primary source of infection so far. The GoM met twice on Wednesday to review the status arising out of spread of the infection and actions for prevention and management. The decision, however, will impact air travel, conferences and the tourism trade even though these were already hit.
“The recommendations of the committee of secretaries chaired by the cabinet secretary were placed before the GoM. After detailed deliberations on preventive measures, actions taken and preparedness for Covid-19, the GoM took the decisions,” the health ministry said.
The advisory also said all incoming travellers, including Indian nationals, arriving from or having visited China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, France, Spain and Germany after February 15 will be quarantined for a minimum 14 days.
Indian nationals are strongly advised to refrain from “all non-essential travel abroad” and on their return, they can be subjected to quarantine for a minimum of two weeks. International traffic through land borders will be restricted to designated check posts with robust screening facilities. Apart from the travel advisory, the GoM also decided that all states and UTs be advised to invoke provisions of Section 2 of Epidemic Disease Act, 1897, so that all advisories being issued by health ministry are enforceable.
Under the Act, any person disobeying any regulation or order shall be deemed to have committed an offence punishable under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.
Meanwhile, 83 people, including an infant and nine foreigners of India origin, who arrived in New Delhi on an Air India flight on Wednesday from Italy were quarantined at the Army facility in Manesar for the precautionary 14-day period.
“They will be monitored by doctors for any infection. After 14 days, those with no symptoms will be allowed to go home with their detailed documentation sent to the district, state surveillance units for further observation. Those found infected will be shifted to Safdarjung Hospital’s isolation ward,” said an official.