All tourist visas to India are being suspended for a month as the country fights to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Visa free travel offered to overseas citizens of the country has also been suspended from March 13 until April 15.
The advisory, issued on Wednesday night, says that only diplomatic, official, employment and project visas will be exempt from the restrictions, which will be reviewed again in a month.
The move is expected to impact tourism, hotels and airlines.
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The Indian government announcement said that any foreign national who intends to travel to India for a “compelling reason” must contact their nearest Indian mission.
But all incoming travellers to the country could face a minimum 14-day period of quarantine on their arrival.
Residents of India were also “strongly advised” to avoid all non-essential travel abroad, and they will be subject to a minimum of 14 days quarantine on their return.
The number of Covid-19 cases in India – which has a population of 1.3 billion – has doubled to 60 in the past four days,
The UK Foreign Office confirmed in updated travel advice: “The government of India has announced that it will suspend all existing visitor visas for India due to the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus.
“This change will come into effect from 12:00 GMT 13th March 2020 to 15th April 2020 at the port of departure.”