Earlier, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for India because of COVID-19, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the country. The travel advisories haS been marked ‘Level 4’ which is the highest warning level.
The United States which urged its citizens not to travel to India due to an unprecedented surge in the COVID-19 cases there, on Friday encouraged those in the country to book their tickets to return home through presently available flights.
The United Airlines and Air India are continuing to operate numerous direct flights weekly from India to the US, a State Department health alert said.Additional flight options remain available on Air France, Lufthansa, and Qatar Airways via transfers in Paris, Frankfurt, and Doha. US citizens who wish to depart India are encouraged to book tickets through the airlines, the health alert said.
Travelling to the US (2 years and older) is mandatory to anyone, to take a COVID-19 test no more than 3 days before travel and show a negative result to the airline before boarding the flight, it said.
The passengers should be well prepared to show documentation of recovery from COVID-19 (proof of a recent positive viral test and a letter from a healthcare provider or a public health official stating clearance for travel). Travellers are encouraged to follow post-travel guidance once in the US, it said.
On May 5, the Department approved the voluntary departure of non-emergency US government employees.“US citizens who wish to depart India should take advantage of available commercial transportation options,” it said.
