Location: India
Event: Effective March 22, the Government of India will suspend all international flights arriving and departing from India for at least one week. U.S. citizens currently in India who wish to depart should contact their airline for flight availability at the earliest. We are reviewing all options and will continue to provide information to U.S. citizens as events progress.
On March 19, the U.S. Department of State upgraded its worldwide travel advisory to Global Level 4 Health Advisory – Do Not Travel due to the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19. U.S. citizens should not travel to India in light of both the U.S. global travel advisory, and recent Government of India (Center and State) advisories regarding screening and quarantines, and potential changes in international advisories.
Those U.S. citizens in India who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. U.S. citizens who live abroad should avoid all international travel.
Prime Minister Modi announced a public curfew on March 22 from 7:00am to 9:00pm. Visit the website of Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for additional information on the latest measures.
On March 19, the State of Himachal Pradesh’s Chief Minister announced a ban on all tourists entering the state.
On March 19, the State of Maharashtra issued an order requiring all U.S. citizens who have arrived in the state since February 15 to be tested for COVID-19 and makes them subject to mandatory quarantine—at home for individuals showing no symptoms, or in a hospital facility for those showing symptoms consistent with the virus. The State of Maharashtra includes Mumbai, a major entry point into India. The State government of Andhra Pradesh is asking all recent international travelers to put themselves into a 28-day quarantine upon entry to the State. Anyone not complying will be subject to daily medical monitoring.
We expect that other Indian states may put restrictions in place with little or no advance notice. Other nations, including transit hubs, may similarly issue health-related travel requirements at short notice.
As of March 16, U.S. Mission India moved to a social distancing policy as a protective measure for our staff and customers. U.S. Embassy New Delhi and all consulates are providing only emergency services to U.S. citizens.
As of March 16, Mission India’s American Centers in New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai have closed until further notice.
Actions to Take:
· U.S. citizens requiring essential services should continue to follow the instructions for appointment scheduling on our website.
· Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information on the disease.
· For information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
· Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information regarding foreign countries’ quarantine requirements and other global impacts.
· Check with your airlines or cruise lines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
· Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19for information on conditions in India.
· Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website for the latest travel restrictions affecting travel to the United States.
· Review the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website, as well as the Bureau of Immigration.
Assistance:
· U.S. Embassy New Delhi
Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri 110021
Telephone: +91-11-2419-8000
https://in.usembassy.gov
· U.S. Consulate General Mumbai (Bombay)
C-49, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai 400051
telephone: +91-22-2672-4000
· U.S. Consulate General Chennai (Madras)
220 Anna Salai, Gemini Circle, 600006
telephone: +91-44-2857-4000
· U.S. Consulate General Kolkata (Calcutta)
5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, 700071
Telephone: +91-33-3984-2400.
· U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad
Paigah Palace, 1-8-323, Chiran Fort Lane, Begumpet, Secunderabad 500003
Telephone: +91-40-4033-8300.
· State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
· India Travel Advisory and Country Page
· Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
