The United States has revised its travel advisory for India, removing the Level 4 Travel Health Notice for the country and placing it one step lower, i.e., at Level 3. This decision comes in light of the improved COVID-19 situation in India in the past few weeks. Now that the ‘no travel’ stamp on the country is removed, travelers can book flights and travel to India.
Earlier on May 5, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had categorized India under Level 4 (the highest level) of its travel recommendations when the second wave of coronavirus gripped the nation. As the virus cases decline in India, the State Department replaces the travel advisory issued in May with the latest one, which urges its people to reconsider their travel to India ‘due to COVID-19’.
The latest travel advisory for India says, “Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine. Before planning any international travel, please review the CDC’s specific recommendations for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.”
The CDC also advises US citizens to avoid non-essential travel if unvaccinated. It further instructs travelers to abide by the measures introduced by Indian officials to regulate the spread of the virus besides following all personal health safety measures like wearing masks, washing hands, practicing social distancing, etc.
However, the travel restrictions imposed on India in May continue to stay in effect, which means nearly all non-US citizens are prohibited from entering the USA if they stayed in India during the past 14 days.
Apart from the US, a few more countries that relaxed travel bans on India include Maldives, Canada, Germany, Russia, Egypt, South Korea, Switzerland, South Africa, Mauritius, etc.
