All travellers from China to be quarantined, says govt

In its earlier advisory the government had cancelled visas of all Chinese passport holders.

All travellers from China, even asymptomatic ones, will now be quarantined in a hospital on arrival for a minimum of 14 days, according to a revised travel advisory issued by India on Wednesday, even as 5,123 people are under home surveillance across the country.

The advisory also says that existing visas (including eVisa already issued) are no longer valid for any foreign national travelling from China (PTI)

The advisory also says that existing visas (including eVisa already issued) are no longer valid for any foreign national travelling from China where the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) broke out in December, killing about 490 people and infecting at least 24,000 people in China alone. In its earlier advisory the government had cancelled visas of all Chinese passport holders.

“People travelling to China henceforth will be quarantined on return,” the fresh advisory reads. The advisory was revised after cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba held a high-level meeting to review actions and preparedness on the novel Coronavirus.

“All precautions are being taken to prevent the spread of infection. Airport screening has been strengthened and those under quarantine are being closely followed up. The PMO is personally monitoring the situation,” said a senior health ministry official, requesting anonymity. India has performed a total of 741 tests since January 19, of which 738 have tested negative. “The three people who have tested positive are in hospital and stable,” said the official.

“Community surveillance, awareness and empowerment is critical to emergency public health management,” said Preeti Sudan, secretary (health).