Vaccine approval awaited

So far, only SII’s Covishield has been approved in eight European Union countries and Switzerland amid a row over travel pass. This has some outbound agents worried.

Abhik Dutta, Director, The Waanderers

This is a welcome announcement overall. However, unlike Switzerland which has announced that all types of visas will be accepted including tourist visas, a similar announcement is awaited from these eight countries. For outbound tourism to make headway into any of these countries, the first step is to process tourist visas for Indian travellers. Parallel step is for airlines to open up with direct or one-stop convenient schedules at moderate prices. Each of these countries are firm favourites with the Indian outbound. The world needs to open up completely.

Mahendra Vakharia, MD, Pathfinders Holidays

If WHO or EMA does not accept Covishield and Covaxin, it surely will be a challenge for Indian travellers. Clients have already called to enquire about this news and are concerned and upset with the reports. Holding a valid double shot vaccine certificate of a dose approved by WHO as well as most of the international countries will be mandatory  document for international travel. I urge the government to take this matter up seriously and immediately with the appropriate global authorities on behalf of travellers (students, businessmen, family and friends) to ensure vaccines given in India are accepted for globally.

Sunil Satyawakta, Director, Civica Travels

Our governments took a tough stand and warned the EU over the denial of Green Pass to the beneficiaries of Covishield. It was made clear that EU’s Digital COVID Certificate shall not be accepted unless Indian vaccines were included for Green Pass. This forced the EU to allow the member countries individually to accept the beneficiaries of Indian vaccine jabs. The countries well understand the potential of Indian tourists which ultimately adds to their economy. The bottom-line is that Indians can no more be ignored or taken lightly.

Inputs by Hazel Jain