As COVID-19 cases have increased sharply in Afghanistan, the United States embassy is “strongly” has suggested that its citizens make plans to leave the country as soon as possible.
Hospitals are reporting shortages of supplies, oxygen, and beds for both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 related patients, the embassy said in a health alert, adding US citizens have reported being denied admittance to hospitals due to lack of space.
It notes that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice and that the US State Department has issued a Level 4 advisory against travelling to Kabul.
The embassy said that the advisory cites “COVID-19, crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed conflict.”
“Commercial flight options from Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) remain available,” the alert said.
“Commercial flight options from Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) remain available and the U.S. Embassy strongly suggests that U.S. citizens make plans to leave Afghanistan as soon as possible,” the alert said.
“Given the security conditions and reduced staffing, the Embassy’s ability to assist U.S. citizens in Afghanistan is extremely limited.”
