On Monday, the United States eased the travel advisory for India and lowered it to Level 2: Moderate after India’s Covid situation saw some improvement.
When the second wave of Covid-19 was causing devastation in India, the US had put a level 4 advisory against the country, urging citizens not to travel there.
A Level 2 travel advisory has been issued for India by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which indicates that it is moderately safe to travel to the country.
“For over 20 years, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has experienced a highly successful technical collaboration with the Government of India (GoI), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) to address India’s public health priorities. As new health threats emerge (e.g., the novel coronavirus COVID-19), CDC and national partners are well-placed to leverage past successful initiatives and rapidly respond to new public health challenges,” CDC’s website said.
“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a level 2 travel health notice for India due to COVID-19, indicating a moderate level of COVID-19 in the country. 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 State Department was quoted as saying in a statement.
However, the State Department advised all individuals against travelling to Jammu and Kashmir due to incidents of terrorism and civil unrest. Citing the potential for armed conflict, it has also cautioned people against travelling within 10 kilometres of the India-Pakistan border.
“Terrorist attacks and violent civil unrest are possible in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Avoid all travel to this state (with the exception of visits to the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh). India and Pakistan maintain a strong military presence on both sides of the border,” it said.
Meanwhile, the UK government recently updated its official travel advisory for India, lifting all but essential travel advice. On August 8, the UK moved India from its red list travel ban to its amber list. Now, however, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advisory has been updated to coincide with the easing of the rules. With the update, travellers are now better placed on their travel insurance options.
