May impose reciprocal measures if UK doesn't recognize Covishield : Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla

(Representative image: Reuters)

India has hinted that it may resort to imposing reciprocal measures against the United Kingdom, if it doesn't recognize the Covishield vaccine.

The non-recognition of Covishield is a 'discriminatory' policy and affects Indians travelling to the United Kingdom, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on 21 September.

"As we go along, we will have to see how it goes, but if we don't get satisfaction, we would be within our rights to impose reciprocal measures," Shringla said.

From October 4 onwards, the UK will implement new travel rules that has dropped the 3-tier red, amber and green list of nations in favour of just a single red list of countries. However, the main benefits of the move - easier travel -will not be available to Indians since the vast majority of them have been vaccinated with Covishield, which is not yet recognized by the UK.

Discriminatory rules 

As a result, the UK government has said if a person has been vaccinated in Africa, or South America, or countries including UAE, India, Turkey, Jordan, Thailand, Russia, they will be considered unvaccinated and will have to follow quarantine rules.
So, even if they are vaccinated, Indians will have to undergo a pre-departure Covid-19 test within the three days before travelling, book and pay for day two and day eight Covid-19 tests to be taken after arrival in the UK, and quarantine at home or in the place they are staying for 10 days.

 They also have to complete their passenger locator form any time in the 48 hours before arriving into UK.