India's action for prevention of CoronaVirus, no impact on travel from Nepal | Reviews Nepal

22nd March update

The government has decided to close all borders touching India and China for a week.
The cabinet meeting held on Sunday decided to close the border. According to a minister, the border will be closed for one week from 10 am tomorrow. (23rd March 2020)

Keeping in view the ramifications of the current global spread of COVID-19 (CoronaVirus) on public health and safety, certain health safety measures are being implemented for foreign and Indian nationals entering into and exiting from India. The primary intention is to ensure the health and safety of both Indian as well as foreign nationals with bare minimum inconvenience to travel and mobility.

These preventive measures for coronavirus  would be continuously reviewed depending on the evolving situation.

The current measures are solely for the purposes of managing public health and safety. These measures for coronavirus do not currently have any impact on the normal travel of Nepalese nationals to India, either by air or by existing land routes. Existing travel arrangements for Nepalese nationals will, in other words, remain unaffected.

However, there will be intensified health inspections at all entry points and any traveler, Indian, Nepalese or from third countries presenting COVID-19 (Coronavirus) symptoms or with recent travel history to one of seven COVID-19 outbreak countries (as listed in the above-mentioned circular) may possibly be subject to quarantine if so required.

Also Read: NEPAL'S ACTION FOR PREVENTION OF CORONAVIRUS

Acknowledge these points if you are planning to visit India during Coronavirus pandemic:

• All existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/International Organizations, employment, project visas, stand suspended till 15th April 2020. This will come into effect from 12:00 GMT on 13th March 2020 at the port of departure.

• A visa-free travel facility granted to OCI cardholders is kept in abeyance till April 15th, 2020. This will come into effect from 12:00 GMT on 13th March 2020 at the port of departure.

• Any foreign national who intends to travel to India for compelling reasons may contact the nearest Indian Mission.

• All incoming travelers, including Indian nationals, arriving from or having visited China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain, and Germany after 15th February 2020 shall be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days. This will come into effect from 120:00 GMT on 13th March 2020 at the port of departure.

• Incoming travelers, including Indian nationals, are advised to avoid non-essential travel and are informed that they can be quarantined for a minimum of      14 days on their arrival in India.

 • Indian nationals are strongly advised to avoid all non-essential travel abroad. On their return, they can be subjected to quarantine for a minimum of 14         days.

 • International traffic through land borders will be restricted to designated check posts with robust screening facilities. These will be notified separately by       M/o Home Affairs.

• Provision for testing primarily for students/compassionate cases in Italy to be made and collected for samples to be organized accordingly. Those tested       negative for coronavirus will be allowed to travel and will be quarantined on arrival in India for 14 days.

Here is the official Press release from Embassy of India in Kathmandu regarding this issue.

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