India will suspend the vast majority of visas to the country in a wide-reaching attempt to prevent the spread of coronavirus, as cases across the region continued to rise.
The virus has hit Europe and the United States far harder than China's most immediate neighbours in South Asia, where no one has yet died. But as the number of cases in the region topped 80, experts fear that its overstretched medical systems may not be able to handle the type of intensive care required.
"All existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/international organisations, employment, project visas, stand suspended till 15th April 2020," India's Health Ministry said in a statement.
Millions of foreign nationals of Indian origin, who are traditionally granted visa-free access, will now also need to apply, the order read.
The new measures will come into effect from 1200 GMT on March 13.
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