India announced additional travel restrictions affecting Iran, Italy, South Korea and Singapore after new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the country on Monday.
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan in a statement said one of the new cases was detected in Delhi and the other was in Telangana. A third case was also reported from Rajasthan’s Jaipur where a 69-year-old Italian national tested positive for coronavirus.
Harsh Vardhan advised that Indian citizens need to avoid non-essential travel to Singapore, Republic of Korea, Iran and Italy.
“People coming from South Korea, Iran and Italy or having such travel history since February 10, 2020 may be quarantined for 14 days on arrival in India,” he added. “Restrictions may be further extended to other countries, as per the situation.”
Screening is being conducted for passengers coming from China, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Nepal, Iran and Italy at 21 Indian airports, 12 major seaports and 35 minor seaports. Suspect cases are being quarantined.
The Health Minister, who held a meeting of the group of ministers constituted to monitor the situation, said India has already suspended e-visas or visas issued to Iranian and Chinese nationals over the rising number of confirmed COVID-19 patients in these countries.
“Depending on the evolving situation, visa restrictions may be extended to other countries,” he said.
COVID-19, which spread from China’s Wuhan city late last year, has quickly spread to more than 60 countries with the death toll worldwide crossing 3,000.
