Updates from Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) on the Novel Coronavirus
Indian Association of Tour Operators
(National Apex Body of Tour Operators)
310, Padma Tower II, 22, Rajendra Place,
New Delhi-110008
Tel: 91-11-25750034, 25738803
Email: iato@airtelmail.in, admin@iato.in
web: www.iato.in
2nd March 2020
Updates from Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) on the Novel Coronavirus
- India Tourism and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government if monitoring the Coronavirus Situation closely and the latest travel advisory issued on 26th February 2020 is placed below for your reference.
- Ministry of health & Family Welfare, Government of India has taken immediate steps against the Coronavirus being spread in India. So far no case of positive Coronavirus has been reported in India.
- To date the World Health Organization has not issued any travel advisory against travelling to India.
- Our hotels, monuments and other tourist facilities remain open.
- Steps are being taken to create awareness on the disease.
- At present, all passengers arriving in India are required to make a self-declaration about their health condition.
- Please share this information with all your FTOs/clients who are visiting/intend to visit India.
- E. Visa for nationals of Republic of China, Republic of Korean, Japan and Iran have been temporarily suspended. This also applied to all other nationalities staying in these countries or have visited these countries since 1st February 2020. In case of emergency they may contact the Indian Embassy/Consulate for an emergency Visa.
- Fresh visas are not being issued to nationals of Italy.
- Those planning a visit to India from China:
- Existing visas (including e-Visa already issued) are no longer valid for any foreign national travelling from China.
- Intending visitors may contact Embassy in Beijing (visa.beijing@mea.gov.in) or the Consulates in Shanghai (ccons.shanghai@mea.gov.in) and Guangzhou (visa.guangzhou@mea.gov.in) to apply afresh for an Indian visa.
- The Indian Embassy in China continues to remain contactable 24x7 on two hotline numbers +8618610952903 & +8618612083629 and the dedicated email helpdesk.beijing@mea.gov.in. Indian nationals in need of any assistance may get in touch with the Embassy on these hotlines and email.
- Indian citizens are further advised to refrain from non-essential travel to the following countries:-
- Singapore
- Republic of Korea
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- Italy
- People coming from Republic of Korea, Iran, Italy, Japan or those having history of travel to these countries may be quarantined for 14 days on arrival to India. Please note, this is subject to any positive symptoms found while scanning upon arrival in India as the airport.
- For any queries related to health, people may contact on Ministry of Health & Family Welfare 24*7 helpline number (+91-11-23978046) or email at (ncov2019@gmail.com)
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As on 26-02-2020
Government of India Ministry of Health & FW
Consolidated Travel advisory in view of COVID-19
In view of the spurt of cases being reported from China and other countries, travelers are advised the following:
· Indian citizens are advised to refrain from travel to China. People travelling to China henceforth will be quarantined on return.
· Those planning a visit to India from China: o Existing visas (including eVisa already issued) are no longer valid for any foreign national travelling from China.
o Intending visitors may contact Embassy in Beijing (visa.beijing@mea.gov.in) or the Consulates in Shanghai (ccons.shanghai@mea.gov.in) and Guangzhou (visa.guangzhou@mea.gov.in) to apply afresh for an Indian visa.
o The Indian Embassy in China continues to remain contactable 24x7 on two hotline numbers +8618610952903 & +8618612083629 and the dedicated email helpdesk.beijing@mea.gov.in. Indian nationals in need of any assistance may get in touch with the Embassy on these hotlines and email.
· Indian citizens are further advised to refrain from non-essential travel to the following countries:
o Singapore
o Republic of Korea
o Islamic Republic of Iran
o Italy
· People coming from Republic of Korea, Iran and Italy or those having history of travel to these countries may be quarantined for 14 days on arrival to India
· For any queries related to health, people may contact on Ministry of Health & Family Welfare 24*7 helpline number (+91-11-23978046) or email at (ncov2019@gmail.com)
· Those having compelling reasons to travel to these countries should follow these simple public health measures at all times as under:
o Observe good personal hygiene.
o Practice frequent hand washing with soap.
o Follow respiratory etiquettes - cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
o Avoid close contact with people who are unwell or showing symptoms of illness, such as cough, runny nose etc.
o Avoid contact with live animals and consumption of raw/undercooked meats.
o Avoid travel to farms, live animal markets or where animals are slaughtered.
o Wear a mask if you have respiratory symptoms such as cough or runny nose.
· If you feel sick on flight, while traveling back to India: o Inform the airlines crew about illness.
o Seek mask and the self-reporting format from the airline crew.
o Avoid close contact with family members or fellow travelers.
o Follow the directions of airline crew while disembarking.
o Immediately report facts to the Airport Health Office/Immigration Office and Helpline number (011-23978046) also.
o Follow the direction of the airport health officer or as issued by the helpline.
· If you feel sick within a span of 28 days after return from COVID-19 affected areas:
o Immediately call the Helpline number (011-23978046) and follow the direction issued.
o Maintain effective self-isolation at home and with others.
o Observe good personal hygiene.
o Practice frequent hand washing with soap.
o Follow respiratory etiquettes - cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
o Report the illness to the nearest health facility and also inform the treating doctor regarding your travel history.