India opens entry for international travelers

India started issuing tourist visas after a 1.5-year hiatus, the Indian government said in a statement, Report informs, citing Interfax.

"All protocols and norms related to the prevention of the spread of COVID-19, which the Ministry of Health has introduced, must be observed by foreign tourists, airlines that bring them to India, as well as all airport employees," the message says.

At the same time, all tourists, carriers, and all other interested parties must comply with the protocols and regulations regarding the coronavirus, which the ministry notifies from time to time.

It also became known that the first 500,000 foreign tourists would receive visas free of charge. Before the start of the pandemic, 10.6 million people visited India in 2019.