UK to review ban on travellers from India

NEW DELHI: In its latest outreach to foreign governments over the issue of easing travel restrictions for Indians, India has asked the United Kingdom to review the travel ban on Indians as the pandemic situation in India is improving.

Foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, who went to the UK on a two-day visit met UK foreign officials and said Mumbai, Delhi are “practically free of Covid”.

“Mumbai, Delhi, big cities are practically free of COVID. But we can’t rest on that situation because we are constantly vigilant, telling our citizens to take precautions so that we don’t have a third wave,” said Shringla, as reported by news agency PTI.

Citing the example of France which has recently recognised Covishield as a valid vaccine, Shringla said, “I briefed them [UK officials] on the COVID situation in India. I pointed out that France had cleared visitors from India without quarantine if they are double vaccinated and have a negative test. The US has upgraded India in the travel scheme, encouraged the UK to do the same and they took note of it.”

The United States has recently lowered its travel advisory for India from no travel to reconsider travel.

This is not regarding Indians travelling to the US as that is still restricted; this advisory is for US citizens wanting to travel to India.

But the easing implies that India’s improving Covid-19 situation has already been noticed internationally and could make a difference.

Mumbai, Delhi, big cities are practically free of Covid. But we can’t rest on that situation because we are constantly vigilant. HARSH VARDHAN SHRINGLA, Indian foreign secy