US advises its citizens to avoid traveling to India due to the COVID spike
2 min readThe US has advised its citizens to avoid traveling to India, even if they are completely vaccinated as there is a ‘very high level‘ of COVID-19 in the country.
On Monday the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released travel recommendations by destination. It utilizes science-based Travel Health Notices to alert travelers to health threats throughout the world and advise on how to protect themselves.
The CDC has a 4-level system for COVID-19 and in that India is placed in ‘Level 4: Very high level of COVID-19’.
In the note Monday, the department noticed that “the COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose unprecedented risks to travelers.”
The CDC has urged Americans to stay away from all travel to India.
“Travellers should avoid all travel to India. Because of the current situation in India even completely vaccinated travelers might be in danger of getting and spreading COVID-19 variations and should avoid all travel to India,” the CDC said in a statement.
“If you must travel to India, get completely vaccinated before travel. All travelers should wear a mask, stay 6 feet from others, stay away from crowds, and wash their hands,” it said.
The number of active Covid cases surpassed the 20-lakh mark in India. As the nation continued to record a mammoth surge in daily cases of the Covid disease.
US Issues Travel Advisory Against India | Avoid Traveling To India
The nationwide count of COVID-19 cases mounted to 1,53,21,089 with a record single-day rise of 2,59,170 Covid infections. As per the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.
The State Department declared Monday that it would start to update its travel advisories to all more closely align with those from the CDC. The update comes as the world continues to grapple with the Covid pandemic. Which has now claimed more than 3 million lives around the world.
Also, it strongly suggested US residents reconsider all travel abroad encompassing 80% of the world.
The warnings, it said, also take into account logistical factors. Including in-country testing availability and current travel restrictions for US residents.
“This update will result in a significant increase in the number of countries at Level 4. Do Not Travel, to roughly 80% of nations around the world,” the State Department said.
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“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose unprecedented risks to travelers. Moreover, considering those dangers, the Department of State firmly suggests US residents reconsider all travel abroad,” it said.
As per the State Department, this doesn’t imply a reassessment of the current health situation in a given country. Yet rather reflects an adjustment in the State Department’s Travel Advisory system to depend more on CDC’s current epidemiological appraisals.
Recently, New Zealand also restricted travelers from India because of a spike in infections.