Coronavirus: Foreigners with travel history to Italy, S Korea have to submit 'negative' certificate for entering India

 India has imposed additional visa restrictions on people traveling from or having visited Italy and South Korea, making it mandatory for m to submit a certificate of having tested negative for COVID-19 from laboratories authorized by health authorities of ir countries, Union Health Ministry said on Thursday.

This will come into effect from 0000 hrs of March 10 and is a temporary measure till cases of vel coronavirus subside, ministry said in a travel advisory.

As of w, number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in country stands at 30, including 16 Italian tourists. figure includes first three cases in country from Kerala last month who have been discharged following recovery.

government has already suspended all regular visas/e-visas granted on or before March 3 to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan who have t yet entered India in view of emerging global scenarios regarding COVID19 disease.

According to advisory, government has also suspended visa on arrival (VoA) issued on or before March 3 to Japanese and South Korean nationals who have t yet entered India.

Those requiring to travel to India due to compelling reasons, may seek fresh visa from nearest Indian embassy/consulate, said advisory. Regular (sticker) visas/e-visas granted to nationals of China, issued on or before February 5, were suspended earlier. It remains in force.

advisory said regular (sticker) visas/e-visas granted to all foreign nationals who have travelled to China, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Japan on or after February 1 and who have t yet entered India stand suspended with immediate effect.

It also said diplomats, officials of UN and or international bodies, OCI cardholders and aircrew from above countries are exempted from such restriction on entry. However, ir medical screening is compulsory. Besides, health ministry has mandated screening of all foreign nationals since March 4 and has started in most airports from Wednesday evening. Earlier, travellers from only 12 countries were being screened at airports.