US State Department Advises Citizens to "Leave India"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] As the severe spread of COVID-19 continues in India, the U.S. Department of State has urged Americans staying in India to leave the country. With major countries deciding to ban entry from India, attention is focused on whether a COVID-19 exodus will follow, starting with the United States.

Political media outlet The Hill reported on the 29th (local time) that the State Department approved voluntary departure for families of government employees working in India on the same day. The State Department explained, "This decision was made considering the COVID-19 situation and the reduction of flights from India."

The State Department is also reviewing whether to grant departure permission to staff at the U.S. Embassy and consulates in New Delhi. The Hill reported that the decision on departure permission will be made within 30 days.

Amid the recent issuance of a Level 4 travel advisory banning travel to India by the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Embassy in India also issued a warning on the same day regarding the use of medical services within India and urged Americans staying there to use return flights.

The embassy stated, "Due to the spread of COVID-19, access to medical services is extremely limited. Americans wishing to leave India should use currently available commercial transportation. There are daily direct flights to the U.S. as well as additional flights connecting through Paris and Frankfurt."

India recorded 380,000 new confirmed cases the previous day, showing no signs of slowing the spread. This marks the eighth consecutive day with over 300,000 cases. Due to shortages of hospital beds and medical oxygen, daily deaths also exceed 3,000.

South Korea is considering whether to recommend departure for its nationals staying in India. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official said, "We are closely monitoring the local situation, but nothing has been decided yet."

Currently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' travel advisory for India corresponds to a level between Level 2 (travel caution) and Level 3 (recommendation to withdraw).

Meanwhile, the United States began sending COVID-19 relief supplies worth $100 million (approximately 110 billion KRW) to India on the same day. The supplies include medical oxygen tanks, masks, rapid test kits, vaccine raw materials, and treatments. Ned Price, spokesperson for the State Department, stated at a briefing, "U.S. government transport planes will begin arriving in India tonight and will continue through next week."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.