Zurich. (ANI) A day after Indian external affairs minister S Jaishankar said he has taken up with European Union to accept Covid -19 vaccines, such as Covishield and Covaxin, for Indian nationals travelling to the west, Switzerland, Iceland and seven European Union countries on Thursday allowed the Serum Institute – manufactured Oxford -Astrazeneca vaccine.
According to Sources, Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Estonia, and Spain have allowed Covishield for travel entry. Switzerland has also permitted Covishield for the Schengen state.
Union Minister Jaishankar had on Tuesday met Joseph Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and discussed vaccine production and access. He also emphasized on Covishield authorization for travel to Europe in his meeting.
Jaishankar, who is in Italy for the G20 foreign Ministers meeting, said he will be following up on the matter concerning authorisation for made in India Covid 19 vaccine. According to the diplomatic sources, travellers who have been administered with the Covishield vaccine can now get a green pass to enter Switzerland.
India has requested EU member states to individually consider extending the exemption to those persons who have taken Covishield and Covaxin and said it will institute a reciprocal policy for recognition of the EU Digital COVID Certificate, as per sources.
“We have requested EU members states to individually consider extending the similar exemption to those persons who have taken Covid-19 vaccines in India i.e. Covishield and Covaxin, and accept the vaccination certificate issued through the COWIN portal. The genuineness of such vaccination certification can be authenticated on the COWIN portal”, a source said.
The 27-member European Bloc is introducing the EU Digital COVID Certificate framework to facilitate safe free movement during the COVID pandemic and it will come into effect from July 1.
Source: https://www.aninews.in/news/world/europe/switzerland-iceland-7-eu-nations-okay-siis-covishield-vaccine-day-after-indias-request20210701130422
