Explainer: Here's what an Indian should do to return to India
By Anurag Mallick Published on 19 March 2020 12:44 PM GMT
Hyderabad: As the number of Covid-19 cases in India has reached 166, the government is taking several preventive measures to prevent the spread of the virus. Most of those who tested positive are people who travelled from countries affected by coronavirus and unknowingly infected others who came into contact with them. Here are the new Visa restrictions with regard to passengers and their travel plans.
Indian nationals who want to return to India
No airline will bring any passenger from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United Kingdom effective on 12.00 GMT on 18 March.
No aircraft will board passengers for India in these countries. There will be no transit through these countries. All passengers coming from or via UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait will be quarantined after 12.00 GMT on 18 March. Those who have visited China, the Republic of Korea, Iran, Italy, Spain, France, and Germany on or after 15 February will be quarantined.
A certificate declaring they have tested negative for Covid-19 will be mandatory for Indians coming from the Republic of Korea or Italy. Passengers from Italy shall not be allowed from 12.00 GMT on 18 March. Indians transiting through China, the Republic of Korea, Iran, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait will be quarantined on arrival in India.
Indian nationals who want to go abroad
Indians are strongly advised to avoid non-essential travel to Corona virus-affected countries. However, according to the latest notification, passengers from a few countries are not allowed to enter India.
Foreigners who are presently in India
All foreigners who want to extend their Indian visas before they expire should approach their jurisdictional FRRO/FROs through e-FRRO. They can go out of India and can return to India with fresh Visa issued from Mission/Post only.
