As the coronavirus outbreak is fast expanding, the WHO finally named #COVID-19 a ‘pandemic’!
With the gradual rise in number of corona cases (62 till date), the Indian Government also issued strict directives on public movement and air travel.
The government imposed travel curbs on March 12, 2020, suspending all existing visas exempting diplomats, UN/international organizations, employment and project visas until April 15, 2020.
The visa-free travel facility for the Overseas Indian Card (OIC) has been suspended till that date.
The new rules will be effective from March 13, 2020 1200 GMT.
Meanwhile, a 14-day quarantine care has been made a mandatory for all those returnees from select countries after February 15, 2020. These countries include:
- China
- Italy
- Iran
- South Korea
- France
- Spain
- Germany
In an emergency, any foreign nation willing to travel to India will need to contact the nearest Indian mission, especially those holding medical visas. #CoronaVirusUpdate
“The circular is only applicable for those coming into India. For those already in India, the existing visas are valid and normal rules for extension apply,” said a government official.
Tourism and Hospitality Face Pressure
Meanwhile, tourism and hospitality industries are worried about the gradual rise of coronavirus spread.
The tourism industry has already witnessed a sharp decline and is expecting deepening situation in the coming weeks.
The foreign tourist arrivals saw only a 1.2 percent rise in January 2020, reportedly the lowest in a decade.
“Foreign tourist arrivals are down by about 67 percent annually in the January-March quarter, while domestic tourists are fewer by about 40 percent,” says Pronab Sarkar, president of the Indian Association of Tour Operators.
“Over the past few days, however, week-on-week, we have seen a 15-20 percent decline in our daily bookings,” InterGlobe Aviation Ltd., the parent company of IndiGo Airlines, said in a statement.
Besides foreign tourists, there has also been a decline in the domestic tourism due to corona fears.
Coronavirus Stories:
- World Nations React to ‘Global Health Emergency’
- Asia on High Alert, India Issues Strict Directives!
