Impact on Mobility to India- Corona Virus update & Measures
In light of the public health emergency declared for novel coronavirus, we are sharing our inputs on its impact on various aspects of mobility to India.
COVID-19: Impact on Expats living and travelling to India
Destination Services:
- Local and International Schools in India: With rapid rise in the number of corona virus cases around the world, schools in India have started releasing notices asking children to remain home if suffering from mild flu or fever. In some cities, schools and educational institutions have been asked to temporarily shut down as a precautionary measure. Admission offices are generally working and can be contacted over the phone or need to be visited in person
- Home Search: So far we do not see any reluctance from apartment owners in presenting their properties. The home search activity overall does not show any significant impact due to COVID-19 and continue to remain normal as before
- Social Activities and Orientation Program: As preventive measures, in few cities the administration has ordered shutting down of cinema halls and public gathering across the region till March 31. The extent of these closures differs from location to location. As per Government's directive, people have been asked to avoid large gatherings in the wake of the outbreak. Food and grocery deliveries have not shown any impact yet.
Immigration Services:
Airport measures in India: All incoming travellers, including Indian nationals arriving from any destinations with travel history to China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain, and Germany on or after February 15, 2020 will be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days. This will be in effect starting 12:00 GMT on March 13, 2020 at all ports of entry.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation, India, announced multiple preventive measures against the Wuhan corona virus initially at 11 airports including Chennai, Vishakhapatnam, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad, Cochin, Delhi, Mumbai, Amritsar, Kochi, and Kolkata. Starting March 4, Indian airports have been adopting universal screening of all passengers.
Thermal (fever) screening, along with in-flight completion of a self-declaration form (including personal particulars, i.e., phone number and address in India) and travel history is now being implemented upon arrival in India for all international passengers at airports and seaports.
Arriving passengers that travelled to Chinese cities such as Wuhan in the preceding 14 days and having symptoms of the viral infection are being asked to provide a self-declaration, while international passengers from China and Hong Kong are being screened at the pre-immigration areas of the airports. Some domestic travellers have also been required to complete the form for flights within India.
The form is in addition to the immigration forms previously required. Not all airlines or airports have stock of the forms on hand. Thermal cameras have been installed and airport signage being displayed at all the airports.
To assist you with travel preparations, a copy of the form is attached to this notice and it is linked here. (http://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/Novel%20Cornavirus%20-%20Self%20Reporting%20Form%20for%20%20Travelers%20arriving%20from%202019-nCov%20affected%20countries.pdf)
Passengers who are symptomatic or screened positive for fever by the automated fever scanners will be taken to designated isolation facilities for further evaluation and testing for the virus that causes COVID-19. If the laboratory test is confirmed positive for the virus, they will be held at the isolation facility for further management.
If two consecutive laboratory tests of samples collected 24-48 hours apart are negative, they will be discharged after the symptoms resolve. They will be provided COVID-19 information material encouraging them to self-report if symptoms recur in next 28 days.
- Entry and Exit Requirements: All incoming international passengers are asked to self-monitor their health and follow the recommended Government of India’s “Do’s and Don’ts” guidelines available on the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Website (http://www.mohfw.gov.in/Poster_Corona_ad_Eng.pdf)
- Visas: As per the Government of India Travel Advisory dated March 12, 2020, all existing visas, except diplomatic, official, U.N. or International Organizations, employment, and project visas are suspended until April 15, 2020. This will be in effect starting 12:00 GMT on March 13, 2020 at all ports of entry.
Visa-waiver travel granted to incoming OCI card holders is also suspended until April 15, 2020. This will be effective starting 12:00 GMT on March 13, 2020 at all ports of entry.
Visas of all foreigners already in India remain valid. You may contact the nearest FRRO/FRO through the e-FRRO module for an extension or conversion of your visa, if needed.
Any foreign nationals who intend to travel to India for compelling reasons may contact the nearest Indian Mission for a new visa.
International traffic through land borders will be restricted to designated Immigration Check posts with robust medical screening facilities. These will be notified separately by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
For more information about coronavirus-related entry and exit requirements, please follow: https://boi.gov.in/content/coronavirus-related-visa-restrictions-and-conditions-entry-india
Government Helpline Information:
The Helpline Number for corona-virus: +91-11-23978046
The Helpline Email ID for corona-virus: ncov2019@gmail.com