New Delhi : British High Commissioner Alex Ellis announced on Thursday, that Indian travelers arriving in UK will not have to go through mandatory 10 day quarantine from October 11. The announcement was made as part of the revised British policy regarding international travel to the U.K., which will be continuously reviewed by health officials in London to track spike in cases of COVID-19 abroad.
“No quarantine for Indian travelers to UK fully vaccinated with Covishield or another UK-approved vaccine from 11 October. Thanks to (the) Indian government for close cooperation over last month,” said High Commissioner Alex Ellis in an official announcement on social media. The decision puts to an end a row that had erupted over the non-recognition of Covishield and vaccine certificates issued by Indian authorities by the UK.
The UK government, in a statement said that it had extended inbound vaccinated arrivals system to a further 37 countries including India, South Africa and Turkey, meaning eligible vaccinated passengers arriving from the rest of the world countries only need to take a day 2 test in England.
Meanwhile, a British High Commission spokesperson said, “The UK has further opened up international travel and will recognize India’s vaccine certification system from 11 October. The decision was taken after close technical cooperation between our ministries taking public health factors into account. The extension of vaccine certification is a further step to enable people to travel more freely again, in a safe and sustainable way, while protecting public health.”
However, travelers from the 37 exempted countries need to avoid the Red List countries for 10 days prior to reaching England.
No quarantine for Indian travellers to UK fully vaccinated with Covishield or another UK-approved vaccine from 11 October.
Thanks to Indian government for close cooperation over last month. pic.twitter.com/cbI8Gqp0Qt
— Alex Ellis (@AlexWEllis) October 7, 2021
On October 1, in response to the UK quarantine rules for Indians and citizens of several nations, including those vaccinated with UK-approved Covishield, India had imposed mandatory 10-day quarantine for British citizens irrespective of vaccination status.
Described as discriminatory and even “colonialist”, the UK government had faced intense backlash over its refusal to recognise visitors as vaccinated unless they received their shots in a handful of select countries.
“I’m also making changes so travellers visiting England have fewer entry requirements, by recognising those with fully-vax status from 37 new countries and territories including India, Turkey and Ghana, treating them the same as UK fully vax passengers,” Britain’s Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps tweeted.
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