US advises its citizens to leave India amid COVID-19 surge

New Delhi/Washington:  As India’s healthcare system is finding it harder to cope with the rising Covid-19 cases due to the second wave of the pandemic, the American government has advised its nationals to return to the US.
The Department of State issued the highest level travel advisory asking US citizens “not to travel to India or to leave as soon as it is safe to do so”.
In its advisory, the government in Washington said, “Access to all types of medical care is becoming severely limited in India due to the surge in Covid-19 cases. US citizens who wish to depart India should take advantage of available commercial transportation options now. Direct flights between India and the United States are offered daily, with additional flight options available to U.S. citizens via transfers in Paris and Frankfurt.
#India : Access to medical care is severely limited due to COVID-19 cases. U.S. citizens wishing to depart should use available commercial options now. Daily direct flights to the US and flights via Paris and Frankfurt are available. https://t.co/p5a3v5ws9y pic.twitter.com/LqHhCiZVEg — Travel – State Dept (@TravelGov) April 28, 2021 There are 14 direct daily flights between India and the U.S. and other services that connect through Europe, the department said.
Enroll with embassy: US to its citizens The US urged its citizens to enroll with the embassy in order to receive critical information related to health and safety in India.
New cases and deaths from COVID-19 have risen sharply throughout India to record levels, the advisory said adding that COVID-19 testing infrastructure is reportedly constrained in many locations. Hospitals are reporting shortages of supplies, oxygen, and beds for both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 related patients.