Amid drop in Covid-19 cases in India, the United States eased its travel advisory for India on Monday, lowering it to Level 2. At the same time it has urged Americans not to travel to Jammu & Kashmir (except the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh) due to terrorism and civil unrest. They have also been advised not to travel within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border due to the potential for armed conflict.
“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 authorised vaccine. Before planning any international travel, please review the CDC’s specific recommendations for vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers,” the advisory said.
The new travel advisory of Level 2, which is considered as safe, came in the wake of the significant improvement in Covid-19 situation in India. Now that the US acknowledges India’s Covid situation has improved, it remains to be seen when it lifts restrictions on travellers from the country.
US President Joe Biden on April 30 imposed new travel restrictions on India in light of Covid-19, barring most non-US citizens from entering the United States who had been in India within the previous 14 days.
At the same time, the US state department also urged American citizens not to travel to Jammu & Kashmir, except the eastern Ladakh region and its capital of Leh, due to terrorism and civil unrest. They have also been advised not to travel within 10km of the India-Pakistan border due to the potential for armed conflict.
“Terrorist attacks and violent civil unrest are possible in the State of Jammu & Kashmir. Avoid all travel to this State (with the exception of visits to the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh). Sporadic violence occurs particularly along the Line of Control (LOC) separating India and Pakistan, and in tourist destinations in the Kashmir Valley: Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam. The Indian Government prohibits foreign tourists from visiting certain areas along the LOC,” it said.” Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and government facilities,” read the advisory.
“Indian authorities report rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India. Violent crime, such as sexual assault, has occurred at tourist sites and in other locations. The US Government has limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in rural areas from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal and the US Government employees must obtain special authorisation to travel to these areas,” the advisory said.