COVID-19: US issues Level 4 travel alert asking its citizens to leave India

Hyderabad: After India reported 3.7 lakh new cases on 29 April, the United States issued an alert to travellers and its citizens currently in India.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 4 travel health notice and the Department of State issued a Level 4 travel advisory, the highest level issued by the department. It advised US 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 the country.

New cases and deaths from COVID-19 have risen sharply throughout India to record levels and 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 patients. US citizens are reporting being denied admittance to hospitals in some cities due to a lack of space, the notice said.

It further said that US citizens who wish to depart India should take advantage of available commercial transportation options now. It also urged them to enroll in STEP at step.state.gov in order to receive critical information from the embassy related to health and safety in India.

More than a dozen countries, including France, Italy, Germany, Hong Kong, and Singapore have either banned flights to and from India, reduced the number of flights, or imposed strict quarantine rules for those arriving from India.