New Delhi, March 11 (IANS) Stepping up border control measures with Covid-19 cases on the rise, India on Wednesday cancelled all visas, except for a few official categories, till April 15. Even outgoing travel is being cautioned against and a minimum of 14 days” quarantine will be mandatory.
An official statement said all existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/international organisations, employment, and project visas stand suspended till April 15. This will come into effect from 12 am GMT on March 13 at the port of departure.
The visa-free travel facility granted to OCI card holders has also been kept in abeyance till April 15. Any foreign national who intends to travel to India for a compelling reason may contact the nearest Indian mission. This would essentially curb the inflow of foreign nationals into the country with visa controls.
All incoming travellers, including Indian nationals, arriving from or having visited China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, France, Spain and Germany after February 15 will be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days. All these measures are applicable from March 13.
Incoming travellers, including Indian nationals, are advised to avoid non-essential travel and have been informed that they can be quarantined for a minimum of 14 days on their arrival in India.
International traffic through land borders will be restricted to designated check posts with robust screening facilities. These will be notified separately by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Kerala stays on high alert over Covid-19
Kerala continues to be on a high alert with more test results of Covid-19 suspects expected soon though the state has not reported a fresh positive case on Wednesday.
However, the total number of people under observation crossed 3,000, said state Health Minister K.K.Shailaja.
Addressing the media after a high level meeting of health officials, she said at the end of the day, 3,020 people are under observation at homes while 293 are admitted to various hospitals in the state.
“Of the 1,179 samples sent for testing, today 889 samples report came and all were negative and we are waiting the results of another 213. As on date, we have 14 people who are positive and are under close observation,” said Shailaja.
“Only those who show symptoms and those who take care of such people only need to wear masks. It is not required for the public to use the N-95 masks. Steps are being taken to see that there will be no shortage of sanitisers,” she added.
So far the tally of positive cases stands at 14, which includes 7 at Pathanamthitta, four at Kottayam and three at Kochi.
“The corona-positive aged couple were moved to the critical care unit of the Kottayam Medical College Hospital on Wednesday is now stable,” added Shailaja.
On Wednesday 52 people (49 from Italy and three from South Korea) came in three flights at Kochi airport and Ernakulam District Collector S. Suhas said of these, 45 are kept in isolation.
11 test positive for Covid-19 in Maharashtra
aharashtra went into high alert after 11 persons, including 2 in Mumbai, 8 in Pune and 1 in Nagpur, tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19), Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said here on Wednesday.
Thackeray and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar informed the media late on Wednesday evening that the ongoing Budget Session of Maharashtra Legislature is likely to be curtailed and end on Saturday.
A final decision on this will be taken on Thursday, they added.
Pawar emphasised that the decision to cut short the legislature session is not out of any panic over coronaVirus, but to enable the state government marshall all efforts towards containing the disease, and allow MLAs to return to their constituencies to oversee the precautionary measures being taken in the matter.
