New Delhi: With effect from October 11, Indians fully vaccinated with Covishield vaccine will not be subjected to the mandatory 10-day quarantine on arrival in the UK.

Individuals who have received the second dose of Covishield or another UK-approved vaccine, at least 14 days prior to landing in the UK, will not have to undergo a pre-departure test for COVID-19 or the day 8 test after arrival. 

On Thursday, the UK government issued a statement which reduced the number of countries in the red list to seven. It mentioned that cleared travellers needed to take a COVID test on day 2, which could be the less costly lateral flow test, instead of an RT-PCR test.

Just hours before the decision, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said that the UK’s earlier decision to quarantine Indians who were fully vaccinated was discriminatory.

On Thursday night, Alex Ellis, British high commissioner to India, tweeted, “No quarantine for Indian travellers to UK fully vaccinated with Covishield or another UK-approved vaccine from October 11. Thanks to Indian government for close cooperation over last month.”

In a video message, Alex said that they have been open for travellers from India for months and have been giving visas to students, business travellers, as well astourists. He also said, “Let’s open up more flights between the two countries. Let’s get British tourists able to come into India, they are desperate to do so. Let’s facilitate business travellers who are trying to come into India with e-visas.”

UK’s secretary of state for transport, Grant Shapps, also tweeted that they were making changes so that people visiting England have fewer entry requirements.

Source: ET Healthworld