With the Centre announcing suspension of foreign visas to India with effect from March 13 to check the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country, foreign airlines will likely cancel their flights to India.<\/p>\n
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in India is 67. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 as a \u201cpandemic\u201d on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Since India has been able to contain the spread of the virus to a great extent, tracked down several travellers and possible cases and there has been no death from COVID-19 so far in the country, it is being felt that the move, though stern, will help in prevention.<\/p>\n
The Union Health Ministry on Wednesday night announced the suspension of all foreign visas to India from March 13 at 12:00 GMT at the port of departure and will be in place till April 15, said a press release by Ministry. The visa-free travel facility of overseas citizens of India (OCI) will also remain suspended during this period. The decisions were taken at a meeting headed by Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan.<\/p>\n
Exceptions include diplomatic, official, UN\/International organisations, employment and project visas.Officials of various airlines think that not only the visa suspension but also the possibility of being quarantined will lead to a great reduction in the number of foreign tourists.<\/p>\n
As a large number of travellers to India are overseas citizens of India (OCI) or people of Indian origin (PIO), the business of foreign airline operators is likely to be hugely affected.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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