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COVID 19 Travel Restrictions Issued By India – Key Points

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COVID 19 travel restrictions issued by India – here are all the key points you must know

India’s Ministry of Health recently released a new set of travel restrictions for all visitors to the country. The announcement has been made with the aim of controlling the spread of COVID-19.

COVID 19 travel restrictions issued by India
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

COVID-19 –India Travel Ban

People from the following countries will not be allowed to enter India until further notice:

AfghanistanLiechtenstein
AustriaLithuania
BelgiumLuxemburg
BulgariaMalaysia
CroatiaMalta
CyprusNetherlands
Czech RepublicNorway
DenmarkPhilippines
EstoniaPoland
FinlandPortugal
FranceRomania
GermanySlovakia
GreeceSlovenia
IcelandSpain
HungarySweden
IrelandSwitzerland
ItalyTurkey
LatviaThe United Kingdom

Foreigners already in the country can apply to the FRRO/FRO for a visa extension. They may choose to go out of India but may not be permitted re-entry with the same visa. Foreigners with project or employment visas may be exempt from this restriction.

Diplomats, officials and individuals holding a passport issued by the UN/ international organizations are exempt from this restriction.

They will be permitted to enter India as long as they have a Covid-19 Negative Certificate. Dependents of these individuals who hold normal passports will not be allowed.

COVID 19 Travel Restrictions Issued By India – Quick Facts

Indians have been advised to avoid all non-essential international travel. The salient points included in the COVID 19 travel restrictions issued by India are:

  • With effect 1200GMT, March 13th, 2020, all visas to India except official, diplomatic, UN/International Organizations, employment and project visas have been temporarily suspended till April 15.
  • Visas of all foreigners already in India will be unaffected. They may contact the nearest FRO/FRRO for a conversion/extension of the visa.
  • Any foreigners wanting to travel to India for any compelling reasons should contact the closest Indian Mission.
  • All inbound travelers from China, Italy, Iran, France, Germany, Spain and other select countries including Indians will be subject to medical screening and a minimum 14 day quarantine
  • Visa-free travel offered to OCI cardholders has also been suspended from March 13th, 2020 till April 15th 2020.
  • All the above visa restrictions will come into being at the port of departure.
  • Entry to Indian through land borders is limited to specific check posts where the travelers will be subject to robust medical screening. These checkpoints will be notified by the Ministry of Health separately.
  • Corporate organizations have been advised to facilitate work-from-home opportunities for their employees during the quarantine period.

Provisions to collect samples from and test students and travelers with compassionate cases from Italy have been made and organized accordingly. Those with a negative test result will be allowed to travel to India but will be subject to a minimum 14 day quarantine on arrival.

COVID 19 Travel Restrictions Issued By India

The Indian Government, before imposing the restrictions, had already put certain precautionary measures in place. For instance, if you are coming to India, fill out the self-reporting form. It is advisable to download this form and carry a copy with you in case they are not available at the airport.

Even if you are an Indian citizen returning home from a foreign country, you must fill it up.

Medical Certificate Requirement To Enter India

People flying from or have visited Italy or South Korea need to present a medical certificate that says they are COVID-19 free. South Korea and Italian citizens who were issued a fresh visa post-March 5 are eligible to enter the country only with the certificate issued by authorities from their respective countries.

Quarantine Regulations

All passengers entering India from China, the Republic of Korea, France, Iran, Italy, Germany and Spain will be quarantined for 14 days. This will also be applicable to people transiting through Oman, the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar.

Regulations For Indians Returning To India

Quarantine regulations remain the same for foreigners and Indians. Indians returning from the Republic of Korea and Italy must have a Covid-19 Negative Certificate. Passengers returning from Italy are no longer allowed back into the country with effect from March 18, 2020.

Regulations For OCI Cardholders

OCI cardholders must get a fresh visa to enter India. OCI cardholders from restricted countries may not be permitted entry into India. Individuals with an OCI card coming from Italy and the Republic of Korea must have a Covid-19 Negative Certificate.

Controlling the spread of COVIS-19 is not just the responsibility of the government but also the responsibility of every individual. Hence, avoid all unnecessary domestic and international travel.

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