Kochi: The United Kingdom government has withdrawn its decision imposing ten days quarantine for visiting Indians who are partially vaccinated or against Coronavirus. Those who have taken Covishield or other vaccines recommended by the UK need not undergo quarantine from October 11, media report quoting British High Commissioner in India Alex Ellis, said.
The decision was taken following a strong stand by India to take reciprocal measures in response to the UK’s “discriminatory” international travel norms. It was in September last week that the UK brought in revised travel and quarantine rules considering fully vaccinated Indians as “unvaccinated”. India failed to find its name among the 18 countries on an approved vaccinations list prepared by the UK. The restrictions made it essential for partially vaccinated or vaccinated travellers from a country like India which is outside the UK government’s recognised list to take a pre-departure test.
They were to self-isolate for 10 days. Alex Ellis, British High Commissioner to India, said the move was not discriminatory as the country had issued visa for over 62,500 students visas in the year ending June 2021. This is 30 per cent more compared to the previous year. Annoyed over the UK government’s discriminatory stand, Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor pulled out of many engagements in the United Kingdom.
Former Union Minister of state of Congress said that it “smacks of racism”. Tweeting on the restrictions, Ramesh said, “Absolutely bizarre considering Covishield was originally developed in the UK and The Serum Institute, Pune has supplied to that country too! This smacks of racism.”
