Britain has finally relented and decided to allow fully vaccinated Indians to enter the country without going through the cumbersome quarantine process, bringing to end a bitter controversy that had soured relations between the two countries.
“Indians who are fully vaccinated with Covishield or any other UK-approved vaccine will not be quarantined when they arrive in Britain from October 11,” the country’s High Commissioner to India said on Thursday.
The mandatory quarantine was seen as discriminatory and even "colonialist" as fully vaccinated citizens from western countries were allowed to enter Britain without going through the mandatory quarantine.
Relations between India and the UK had hit rock bottom over the issue as New Delhi had in a tit for tat move imposed similar quarantine restrictions for all Britons entering India.
"No quarantine for India travellers to United Kingdom fully vaccinated with Covishield or another UK-approved vaccine from 11 October. Thanks to the Indian government for close cooperation over last month," British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis tweeted on Thursday.
No quarantine for Indian 🇮🇳 travellers to UK 🇬🇧 fully vaccinated with Covishield or another UK-approved vaccine from 11 October.
Thanks to Indian government for close cooperation over last month. pic.twitter.com/cbI8Gqp0Qt
— Alex Ellis (@AlexWEllis) October 7, 2021
"I'm also making changes so travellers visiting England have fewer entry requirements, by recognising those with fully-vax status from 37 new countries and territories including India, Turkey and Ghana, treating them the same as UK fully vax passengers," Britain's Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps tweeted.
"The decision was taken after close technical cooperation between our ministries taking public health factors into account," a British High Commission spokesperson said in a statement on Thursday.
The spokesperson said the UK keeps efficacy data and information on vaccine rollout internationally under review, and has kept visa rules under constant review throughout the pandemic to keep borders open whilst gradually and safely restarting travel.
Also read: All UK citizens arriving in India to go through 10-day quarantine in tit for tat move
