US eases COVID travel restrictions for India; moves the country to Level 3

The United States has eased COVID travel restrictions for India, and moved the country from the highest of Level 4 to Level 3. The decision was taken by the State Department on Monday after looking at the improved virus situation in the country. On May 5, the US government put India in Level 4 category, which means no travel at all.

On Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for India. It said, "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".
Important points to note:

1) Level 3 means that Americans can reconsider travel to the country due to serious risks of safety and security.
2) US citizens still willing to travel to India are strongly urged to get fully vaccinated. They are also recommended to take all the necessary safety measures to protect themselves, which includes maintaining social distance, using hand sanitiser and wearing masks, among others.

3) The CDC also recommends that citizens must get their flu shots to protect themselves better from a major flu outbreak.

4) US citizens travelling to India must obey all the measures introduced by Indian officials, designed to protect from contracting the virus.