Colombia bars travelers from India over coronavirus variant

FILE PHOTO: Passengers wearing face masks line up to check in at El Dorado airport, after the Colombian government gave the authorization to reactivate international flights, amidst the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Bogota, Colombia September 21, 2020. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez/File Photo

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia has barred non-resident arrivals from India through the end of June in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 variant B.1.617, the health ministry said on Friday.

The restrictions came into force on Thursday, although travelers who were already in the air or on their journey to Colombia are exempt.