As the coronavirus spike continues unabated and patients and their relatives keep running from pillar to post to arrange for ICU beds, oxygen cylinders and life saving drugs, the United States has issued an advisory urging its citizens to refrain from travelling to India and urging those who are in India to leave India at the earliest.
In a tweet, US department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs said, “Access to medical care is severely limited due to COVID-19 cases. U.S. citizens wishing to depart should use available commercial options now.”
#India: Access to medical care is severely limited due to 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. https://t.co/p5a3v5ws9y pic.twitter.com/LqHhCiZVEg
— Travel – State Dept (@TravelGov) April 28, 2021
The health alert also urged its citizens in India to enrol for ‘STEP’ a government alert for “critical information from the Embassy related to health and safety in India”.
The US Embassy in India said, “US citizens who wish to depart India should take advantage of available commercial transportation options now. Direct flights between India and the United States are offered daily, with additional flight options available to US citizens via transfers in Paris and Frankfurt.”
Message for U.S. Citizens in India available here: https://t.co/jKSqSbVsq3
Register in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at https://t.co/vr68I6fCV6 to continue receiving updates from the U.S. Embassy and Consulates
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) April 29, 2021
In its health alert, the US said, “New cases and deaths from COVID-19 have risen sharply throughout India to record levels. COVID-19 testing infrastructure is reportedly constrained in many locations. Hospitals are reporting shortages of supplies, oxygen, and beds for both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 related patients. U.S. citizens are reporting being denied admittance to hospitals in some cities due to a lack of space. Some states have enacted curfews and other restrictions that limit movement and the operation of non-essential businesses.”
“The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice and the Department of State has issued a Level 4 Travel Advisory advising against all travel to India. The current Level 4 Travel Advisory is the highest level issued by the Department of State and advises U.S. citizens not to travel to India or to leave as soon as it is safe to do so due to the current health situation in country,” the alert further added.