India suspends all tourist visas until April 15

Amid the novel coronavirus outbreak, the cabinet secretary on Wednesday said all states and Union Territories should invoke provisions of Section 2 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 by means of which all advisories issued by the Union health ministry and state governments from time to time are enforceable.

India on Wednesday suspended all tourist visas till April 15 in a bid to contain the spread of novel coronavirus, according to an official statement.

The suspension will come into effect from 1200 GMT on March 13 at the port of departure.

The moves come at a time when the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of the new coronavirus as a pandemic.

The decision was taken at the meeting of the group of ministers held here under the chairmanship of Health Minister Harsh Vardhan. (Economic Times)