Due to the rising cases of coronavirus affliction globally, India on Tuesday barred entry of the nationals of three countries France, Germany, and Spain suspending the regular as well as e-Visas granted to them to date.

"All regular (sticker) Visas/e-Visas granted to nationals of France, Germany, and Spain and issued on or before March 11 and who have not yet entered India stand suspended with immediate effect," said a Bureau of Immigration notification issued late Tuesday night.

Regular visas,including e visas, granted to all foreign nationals who have travel history tothese countries on or after February 1 and who have not yet entered India alsostands suspended, it said.

The new notification was issued shortly after Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba on Tuesday held a high-level meeting of secretaries of various ministries and departments, grappling to contain the spread of the deadly Covid-19.

The meeting was held to review the status, actions, preparedness, and management of COVID-19 cases in the country, an official statement of Union Health Ministry said after the meeting.