New Delhi: The government today suspended all visas to India as the cases of coronavirus in the country sharply spiked. Altogether, 67 people have contracted the virus a chunk of them are a group of tourists from Italy. In an order this evening, the Union health ministry said all existing visas — diplomatic, official, UN/International organizations, employment, project visas will be suspended till April 15. "This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on 13th March 2020 at the port of departure… Any foreign national who intends to travel to India for compelling reason may contact the nearest Indian mission," read a communique, issued after a meeting of a Group of Ministers, headed by health minister Dr Harshvardhan. Visa facilities had been partially suspended earlier from the COVID-19 nations, countries where the virus is on a rampage.
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The World Health Organisation has declared the novel coronavirus a pandemic. In a series of tweets, the WHO said, ""WHO has been assessing this outbreak around the clock and we are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction". A second tweet read, "We have therefore made the assessment that #COVID19 can be characterized as a pandemic".
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"Visa free travel facility granted to OCI card holders is kept in abeyance till April 15th 2020. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on 13th March 2020 at the port of departure," the communique read.
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It also said all incoming travellers, including Indian nationals from COVID-19 nations – Chia Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain and Germany after February 15, shall be quarantined for a minimum of 14 days.
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"International traffic through land borders will be restricted to Designated check posts with robust screening facilities. These will be notified separately," the communique read.
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The total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in India now stands at 67, with fresh cases reported in Kerala, Karnataka and Pune.
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Maharashtra has reported 10 cases of the Coroinavirus – two of them in Mumbai and eight in Pune.
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More than 40 "First contacts" of five coronavirus patients have been placed under observation in Maharashtra.
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The Delhi government will hold a one-day special Assembly session on the NRC-NPR issue and the coronavirus situation in the national capital on March 13. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
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The Coronavirus scare has forced closure of schools and colleges in parts of the country. Delhi has shut its primary schools till March 31. Kashmir and Ladakh has shut its schools and colleges and the Indian Institute of Management has postponed its annual convocation.
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The Maharashtra government has banned ticket sales for the 2020 Indian Premier League opener between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. The match is scheduled to be held on March 29 and will be the first of the 13th season of the IPL which will continue till May 24 at various venues across the country.
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