The US government on Thursday issued a Level 4 travel advisory for its citizens, advising them to restrain from travelling to India or to leave as soon as it is safe to do so. The advisory comes amid the escalating Covid-19 situation in India.
The Department of State issued the highest travel advisory saying, access to medical care is severely limited in India due to rapidly increasing Covid-19 cases. U.S. citizens wishing to depart should use available commercial options now. Daily direct flights to the US and flights via Paris and Frankfurt are available.
A fresh wave of the Covid-19 pandemic has roiled India in recent weeks, leaving Indian healthcare system in splits with hospital beds, medicines and oxygen in short supply. In a record single-day spike, a total of 3,79,257 people tested positive for Covid-19 in last 24 hours, taking the total Covid tally of India to 1.83 crore cases. The death toll has crossed two lakh following 3,645 fresh fatalities.
Earlier this week, Australia announced a temporary ban on direct passenger flights from India in the wake of massive surge in Covid-19 infections. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the suspension would remain in place until at least May 15 due to the risk of travel from India, leaving thousands of Australians including high-profile cricketers stranded.
Similarly, the UK has barred any visitor who’s been in India in the previous 10 days from entering. Canada and the United Arab Emirates also restricted flights in response to the spiralling Covid crisis in India.