I. Travel Ban into the United States from Europe
President Trump announced last night that effective Friday, March 13th at midnight the US is suspending all travel from Europe (except the United Kingdom) to the U.S for a period of 30 days. The US Department of Homeland Security quickly clarified [link: https://www.dhs.gov/news/2020/03/11/homeland-security-acting-secretary-chad-f-wolf-s-statement-presidential-proclamation] that the new order would not bar all travelers from Europe, just foreign nationals who have been in certain European countries at any point during the 14 days prior to their scheduled arrival to the U.S. The order does not bar U.S. Citizens nor does it prohibit the travel of Lawful Permanent Residents or spouses of US citizens and lawful permanent residents. The DHS also indicated it would not affect “generally” immediate family members of US Citizens and others identified in the Proclamation. Those who can enter will have to enter through select airports where the U.S. has implemented enhanced screen procedures for the coronavirus.
The countries that are included in the travel restriction are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
II. Suspension of All Visas into India, including for Indian Nationals
The Indian Government has issued a Travel Advisory suspending all visas for in-bound travel into India, including for OCI card holders, till April 15th, 2020. This suspension will not apply for diplomatic, official, UN / International Organizations, employment and project visas. All travelers including Indian Nationals, arriving from or having visited China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain and Germany after 15 February 2020 will be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days. In addition, all incoming travelers, including Indian nationals, would be subject to medical screening and can be quarantined for a minimum of 14 days on their arrival in India.
III. The Outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been Declared a Pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO).
As has happened with other recent global health emergencies, governments in many jurisdictions are taking immigration-related measures in order to contain the spread of the virus. Most countries have introduced additional health screening procedures at some or all of their ports of entry. Travelers to and from the affected regions should allow extra time for such possible screenings. An increasing number of countries are implementing entry or travel restrictions at their ports of entry. This is a fluid situation.
We expect that there will be ongoing changes with the restrictions and will continue to send updates.