US warns against travel to 80% nations amid surge

Washington, April 20

The US has advised its citizens to reconsider travelling to 80 per cent of the world.

It has also warned them against travelling to India, even if they are fully vaccinated as there is a 'very high level' of Covid-19 in the country. They have been asked The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) released travel recommendations by destination. The CDC uses science-based Travel Health Notices to alert travellers about health threats around the world and advises on how to protect themselves.

The CDC has a four-level system for Covid-19 and in that India is placed in 'Level 4: Very high level of Covid-19'. The department noted that "the pandemic continues to pose unprecedented risks to travellers". The CDC said: "If you must travel to India, get fully vaccinated before travel. All travellers should wear a mask, stay 6 feet from others, avoid crowds and wash hands.” The State Department said it would begin to update its travel advisories to more closely align with those from the CDC.

The advisories, it said, also take into account logistical factors, including in-country testing availability and current travel restrictions for US citizens. “This update will result in a significant increase in the number of countries at Level 4: Do Not Travel, to approximately 80 per cent of countries worldwide,” the State Department said. — PTI

Vaccinated too at risk

• The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) uses science-based Travel Health Notices to alert travellers about health threats around the world and advise on how to protect themselves.
• The CDC has urged Americans to avoid all travel to India because of the current situation there, saying even fully vaccinated travellers may be at risk for contracting Covid.