US advises its citizens to avoid travelling to India amid surge in Covid-19 cases

As the Covid-19 cases in India surge, the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised American citizens to avoid travelling to India.  

The CDC, in its advisory, stated that there is a ‘very high level of Covid-19’ in India. It pointed out that they should not visit India even if they are fully vaccinated. 

In a statement, the CDC said: “Because of the current situation in India even fully vaccinated travellers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants and should avoid all travel to India. If you must travel to India, get fully vaccinated before travel. All travellers should wear a mask, stay six feet from others, avoid crowds, and wash their hands.” 

Moreover, it has also issued travel recommendations for vaccinated travellers: “If you are fully vaccinated, then do not have to get tested before leaving the United States, unless your destination requires it and you do not have to self-quarantine after you arrive in the United States.” 

Britain, earlier on Monday, had announced that India was being added to its “red list” – banning all arrivals from this country except for the United Kingdom or Irish nationals, who should pay to stay in a government-approved quarantine hotel for 10 days on their return. 

Around 2.5 lakh cases have been reported almost every day since the last few days. The central government on Monday has opened up third phase of vaccination, in which anyone above 18 years of age is now eligible to be vaccinated.  

Amid the surge, many state governments’ have taken stringent measures to arrest the spread of the coronavirus, with the Delhi becoming the first government to impose a one-week complete lockdown.