The United Kingdom (UK) is soon going to include Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin in its approved Covid-19 vaccine list. That is, those international travelers arriving in England will no longer have to self-isolate who have been infected with Covaxin.
Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) approved the emergency use of Covaxin, after which this step has been taken by the United Kingdom. The UK has also decided to include China’s Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines in its approved Covid-19 vaccine list. Earlier, the US and Australia had also approved Covaxin.
Good news for Indian travelers
British High Commissioner Alex Ellis tweeted, ‘Good news for Indian travelers traveling to the UK. Travelers who are fully vaccinated with the Covid-19 vaccine included in the WHO’s Emergency Use Listing, including Covaccine, will not have to be in self-isolation from November 22.
New rules will be effective from November 22, 4 am
Travelers fully vaccinated with Covaxin will not need to undergo pre-departure tests, day-8 tests or self-isolate upon arrival. These changes will be effective from 4 am on November 22. UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “The new announcements mark the next step in the resumption of international travel.”
Relaxation in rules for passengers below 18 years
The UK government has also simplified the rules for travelers under the age of 18 coming to England. They will now be considered fully vaccinated at the border and exempted from self-isolation on arrival, day-8 testing and pre-departure testing. They only have to undergo a post-arrival test. If he is found positive then PCR test will also be done.
Second Indian vaccine approved by WHO
Covaccin is the second Indian vaccine to have received WHO approval. Earlier, Coveshield had got the approval of WHO. In April, Bharat Biotech, the maker of Covaxin, accepted the WHO’s Expression of Interest (EOI).
