In an unprecedented move, the Government of India has banned all travelers from entering the country for the next 31 days in order to prevent the spread of the deadly Coronavirus in the Asian nation.
The move which will be enforced from Friday, effectively bans all tourism to India until at least 15 April, and as the number of coronavirus cases in India rose to 72 on Thursday, this is surely the harshest measure employed by any country as regards the Covid-19 epidemic.
Announcing the move, the Indian Ministry of Health said that “all Indian nationals are strongly advised to avoid all non-essential travel abroad”, warning they could be subject to a 14-day quarantine upon their return.
“Indian nationals presently abroad are advised to avoid non-essential travel,”
According to the Indian health ministry, tourists who have already had visas issued for upcoming travel to India should consider their visas suspended, foreigners of Indian origin will also be barred entry.
The Ministry also announced that travel ban does not affect those with diplomatic and long-term employment visas for India and foreigners already inside the country.
Inida’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tweeting on Thursday said; Say No to Panic, Say Yes to Precautions. No Minister of the Central Government will travel abroad in the upcoming days. I urge our countrymen to also avoid non-essential travel. We can break the chain of spread and ensure safety of all by avoiding large gatherings”
