France is now permitting travellers vaccinated with Covishield while it tightens border checks to contain the spread of the Delta variant. Here’s a full list of European Union (EU) nations recognising the coronavirus vaccine. By Yagnoseni Das
Travellers inoculated with AstraZeneca’s India-manufactured coronavirus vaccine—Covishield—can now take a sigh of relief as, from July 18, 2021, France has joined the list of European Union nations to recognise the vaccine, reports India.com. This news comes at a time when people vaccinated with Covishield, manufactured by Serum Institute of India (SII), are facing travel restrictions despite being fully vaccinated, as the EU’s COVID-19 certificate only recognised AstraZeneca vaccines manufactured in Europe.
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Last week, WHO Chief Scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan had tweeted that 15 countries in the European Union had recognised Covishield. After the inclusion of France in the list, Covishield is now recognised by 16 countries—France, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Celebrating the news, SII CEO Adar Poonawalla tweeted, “It is indeed good news for travellers, as we see sixteen European countries recognising COVISHIELD as an acceptable vaccine for entry. However, despite being vaccinated, entry guidelines might vary from country to country, so do read up before you travel.”
It is indeed good news for travellers, as we see sixteen European countries recognising COVISHIELD as an acceptable vaccine for entry. However despite being vaccinated, entry guidelines might vary from country to country, so do read up before you travel. https://t.co/Cy9HO2Uxu3
— Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla) July 17, 2021
Meanwhile, France is ensuring strict border checks to control the spread of the Delta variant. According to an announcement made by the French government on 17 July, France has added Tunisia, Indonesia, Cuba, and Mozambique to its “red list.” The list consists of countries with high coronavirus risk. However, France will now be opening its doors to travellers from any of the countries on this list, if they are fully vaccinated.
Also, starting July 18 2021, unvaccinated travellers flying to France from Britain, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Greece, or Cyprus are required to present a negative COVID-19 test report issued no longer than 24 hours upon arrival.
Related: These Countries Have Reimposed Travel Restrictions As The Delta Variant Surges
