COVID-19 Information Mar 13, 2020

Country-Specific Information :

  • As of March 13, 2020, India had reported 75 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, and one death. Of these 75 cases, 58 cases are Indian nationals and 17 are foreign nationals.
  • All existing visas (except diplomatic, official, UN/International Organizations, employment, and project visas) stand suspended till April 15, 2020. This will be in effect starting 12:00 GMT on March 13, 2020 at all ports of entry.
  • Indian citizens are asked to avoid non-essential travel abroad, particularly to China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, Japan, France, Spain, and Germany. Indian nationals presently abroad are advised to avoid non-essential travel and could be quarantined for a period of 14 days on their arrival in India.
  • The Ministry of Shipping issued extensive Standard Operating Procedures on March 11 to handle COVID-19 for international cruise ships at major ports in India.

Entry and Exit Requirements :

Revised Travel Advisory : issued by Government of India

  • All existing visas (except diplomatic, official, UN/International Organizations, employment, project visas) stand suspended till April 15, 2020. This will come into effect from 12:00 GMT on March 13, 2020 at the port of departure.
  • Visa free travel facility granted to OCI card holders is kept in abeyance till April 15, 2020. This will come into effect from 12:00 GMT on March 13, 2020 at the port of departure.
  • OCI card holders already in India can stay in India as long as they want.
  • Visas of all foreigners already in India remain valid and they may contact the nearest FRRO/FRO through e-FRRO module for extension/conversion etc. of their visa or grant of any consular service, if they choose to do so.
  • Any foreign national who intends to travel to India for compelling reason may contact the nearest Indian Mission.
  • In addition to Visa restrictions already in place, passengers traveling from/having visited Italy or Republic of Korea and desirous of entering India will need certificate of having tested negative for COVID-19 from the designated laboratories authorized by the health authorities of these countries. This is in enforcement since 00.00 hrs. of March 10, 2020 and is a temporary measure till cases of COVID-19 subside.
  • All incoming travelers, including Indian nationals, arriving from or having visited China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain, and Germany after February 15, 2020 shall be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days. This will come into effect from 12:00 GMT on March 13, 2020 at the port of departure.
  • Incoming travelers, including Indian nationals, are advised to avoid non-essential travel and are informed that they can be quarantined for a minimum of 14 days on their arrival in India.
  • Indian nationals are further strongly advised to refrain from travelling to China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain, and Germany.
  • All incoming international passengers returning to India should self- monitor their health and follow required do’s and don’ts as detailed by the Government.
  • International traffic through land borders will be restricted to designated check posts with robust screening facilities. These will be notified separately by Ministry of Home Affairs.
  • All international Passengers entering into India are required to furnish duly filled self-declaration form in duplicate (including personal particulars i.e. phone no. and address in India) to Health Officials and Immigration officials and undergo Universal Health Screening at the designated health counters at all Points of Entry.

For more information about coronavirus related entry and exit requirements & regular updates, please follow :

https://boi.gov.in/content/coronavirus-related-visa-restrictions-and-conditions-entry-india

Airport Screening, Testing, and Quarantine Information :

  • Thermal (fever) screening, along with inflight completion of a self-declaration form (including personal particulars, i.e., phone number and address in India) and travel history is now being implemented upon arrival in India for all international passengers at airports and seaports.
  • Passengers who are symptomatic or screened positive for fever by automated fever scanners will be taken to designated isolation facilities for further evaluation and testing for the virus that causes COVID-19.
    • If the laboratory test is confirmed positive for the virus, they will be held at the isolation facility for further management.
    • If two consecutive laboratory tests of samples collected 24-48 hours apart are negative, they will be discharged after the symptoms resolve. They will be provided COVID-19 information material encouraging them to self-report if symptoms recur in next 28 days.
    • The information on these passengers will be shared with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare staff for further follow-up of these passengers at their homes for next 28 days.
  • In addition to thermal screening for most arriving international passengers, the Government of India has implemented a new self-declaration health form that is required of all international passengers. Some domestic travelers have also been required to complete the form for flights within India. The form is in addition to the immigration forms previously required. Not all airlines or airports have stock of the forms on hand.
  • To assist you with travel preparations, a copy of the form is attached to this notice and it is linked here.
  • The form asks for travel history of COVID-19-affected countries. India bases its list of COVID-19-affected countries off the current list of World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Situation Reports which outlines countries with known community transmission, available at this website (Table 2 in the report) : https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports.

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