Quickly resolving COVID-19 quarantine issue is in our mutual interest: India to UK

New Delhi: The recent set of travel guidelines issued by the United Kingdom for people entering the country amid the Covid-19 pandemic has triggered a massive controversy over the sidelining of passengers from India, even those who are completely vaccinated by the indigenous vaccine Covishield.

India has expressed anguish over the discrimination in the latest Covid-related travel restrictions announced by Britain.

As per the new rules, travellers from India who have received both doses of Covishield, manufactured by Serum Institute of India (SII), will be considered “unvaccinated” and would have to compulsorily undergo self-isolation for 10 days.

The rules will come into effect from October 4 as part of UK’s efforts to reopen international travel “as soon as is practicable”.

Pleased to meet new UK Foreign Secretary @trussliz.

Discussed the progress of Roadmap 2030. Appreciated her contribution on the trade side.

Exchanged views on developments in Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific.

Urged early resolution of quarantine issue in mutual interest. pic.twitter.com/pc49NS7zcw

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 21, 2021

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar took up the matter with UK Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss over the new guidelines, seeking an “early resolution” for the best interests of both countries.

“Urged early resolution of quarantine issue in mutual interest,” the EAM tweeted after meeting Truss in New York on Monday.

Even though the vaccine is the same as the AstraZeneca one developed by Oxford University, it is in use in many Western countries such as Canada.

Interestingly, travellers from several countries who taken the AstraZeneca jab are allowed to enter the UK without needing to quarantine if they meet a set list of conditions, but Indians are not included in the list.

“The UK is committed to opening up international travel again as soon as is practicable and this announcement is a further step to enable people to travel more freely again, in a safe and sustainable way, while protecting public health. We are engaging with the Government of India to explore how we could expand the UK recognition of vaccine certification to people vaccinated by a relevant public health body in India,” a UK government spokesperson said.