Government has decided to impose “Tit for Tat” quarantine conditions on British citizens after the UK refuse to reconsider treating fully vaccinated Indians as unvaccinated due to issues about the Indian certification process.
As per Government sources the ministry of health and family welfare will issue new regulations that will be applicable to all UK nationals arriving in India regardless of their vaccination status.
This conflict comes in the wake of UK’s intransigence despite discussions on technical issues and the British high commissioner to India said that there were no issues or doubts over either country’s vaccine certification process.
This decision will include pre-departure Covid-19 RT-PCR test within 72 hours before travel, Covid-19 RT-PCR test on arrival at airport, Covid-19 RT-PCR test on Day 8 after arrival and mandatory quarantine at home or in the destination address for 10 days after arrival in India.
UK nationals already have to undergo extra screening when they arrive in India.
Present rules were put in place since the UK’s own surge in December.
This include seven days in home quarantine and an RT-PCR test at the airport on arrival.
The increase quarantine to 10 days and two RT-PCR tests, one at arrival and one on Day 8.
This happens after the new UK rules generated a sharp backlash in India with commentators and officials pointing out that the Indian process with its digital signature and QR code was far more reliable than measures adopted in many other nations.
British high commission spokesperson Said :
“The UK is continuing to work on expanding the policy to countries and territories across the globe in a phased approach. We are continuing to engage with the Government of India on technical cooperation to expand UK recognition of vaccine certification to people vaccinated by a relevant public health body in India.”
The UK certification process has facing questions over reports that users were able to “edit” information and its application to the EU for certificate recognition being delay due to gaps in submissions to the authorities at Brussels.
UK offers a “release” option with a test on Day 5 which costs in the region of 100 pounds.
The regulations are unclear about what happens to UK nationals who may have taken Covishield.
Also no clarity on the fate of Indian nationals residing in the UK and who may have taken UK vaccines.
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