India has asked the European Union (EU) to accept COVID-19 vaccines approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other national authorities, such as the India-made Covaxin and Covishield, for Indian travellers seeking to enter the bloc. The country warned of reciprocal measures, such as mandatory quarantine for European travellers, if the Union failed to reconsider its decision.
The EU has excluded travellers inoculated with the India-produced Covishield vaccine from being eligible for its ‘Green Pass’, which will allow individuals to travel to the bloc for tourism and business from July 1. The technical specifications for the “Green Pass” mention that member states will only be obligated to allow travellers who have been inoculated with “vaccines that have received EU-wide marketing authorisations.” The list, for now, includes the Vaxzervia, Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson vaccines. The Union’s decision was a major blow to Indians and others who received the Covishield jab.
Speaking to Hindustan Times, an Indian official said, “We have requested EU member states to individually consider extending the exemption to travellers who have taken Covid-19 vaccines in India, such as Covishield and Covaxin, and to accept the vaccination certificate issued through the CoWIN portal.” He added that “Upon notification of Covishield and Covaxin for inclusion in the EU Digital Covid Certificate framework and recognition of CoWIN vaccination certificates, Indian health authorities will reciprocally exempt travellers from the concerned EU member state, carrying the green pass, from mandatory quarantine.”
The issue also came up during discussions between the Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meet in Italy. Following his conversation with Borrell, Jaishankar said both sides discussed “vaccine production and access” and the issue of Covishield’s “authorisation for travel to Europe.”
Amid the controversy, the EU on Tuesday clarified that individual states would have the power to accept the WHO-approved vaccines, including Covishield. Consequently, Iceland stated that it would allow entry of those vaccinated with the EMA or WHO-approved jabs.
Furthermore, the German ambassador to India, Walter Lindner, said Germany would recognise evidence of administration of both doses of Covishield as “valid proof of anti-Covid vaccination.” However, he clarified that this “does nevertheless not modify existing travel or visa restrictions for travellers from areas of concern/virus variants areas.”
In addition, on Thursday, seven European countries, including Austria, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Slovenia, and Switzerland, gave clearance to the AstraZeneca vaccine made by the Serum Institute of India, allowing those inoculated with the Covishield vaccine entry into these countries.
While the EU continues to exclude the India-produced AstraZeneca jabs, the approval by the seven countries indicates that individual member states are open to welcoming vaccinated Indian travellers.
India Threatens Reciprocal Action Against EU Over Green Pass Controversy
After the EU excluded India-made Covaxin and Covishield from its vaccine passports, India threatened to impose a reciprocal policy and impose mandatory quarantine for European travellers.
July 1, 2021
SOURCE: HINDUSTAN TIMES