Covid travel: 16 EU nations ease curbs on Indians

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With India witnessing some respite from the ravages of the COVID-19, and the vaccination drive being in full swing, many countries have eased restrictions on travellers from the country. Among the countries that have eased travel restrictions on Indians are 16 European nations — France, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, On the other hand, India has extended the ban on international commercial flights until July 31. As of now, India has a bilateral air bubble agreement with 28 countries.

Many of these 28 countries had banned travel to and from India in the wake of the second wave of the coronavirus . Among them were Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Kuwait, New Zealand, Oman Saudi Arabia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates,  France, Germany and Italy.

EU green pass

Indians, who are fully vaccinated with Serum Institute of India’s Covishield, can now travel to the above mentioned 16 nations as part of EU’s “green pass” scheme.

Those carrying the “green pass” do not have to undergo quarantine on arrival. However, they may be required to produce a negative RT-PCR report of the test conducted within 72 hours before their flight and have to undergo another compulsory Covid test on arrival.

Those without the negative certificate will be subject to applicable quarantine rules in the countries they visit.

Other countries that allow Indian travellers

Other countries, which have now opened their doors to Indians, albeit with compulsory quarantine on arrival, are Montenegro, Bahrain, Qatar, Rwanda, Barbados, Bermuda, Mexico, Turkey and Panama. Like the EU nations, the period of quarantine varies from country to country. Similarly, many require a negative RT-PCR report of the Covid test taken within 72 hours before the flight, as well as a compulsory examination on arrival.

Countries where Indians don’t require quarantine

There are many countries, which have not mandated quarantine on arrival for Indians, like Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Armenia, the Maldives, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique and Namibia.

Most of these countries, however, require the travellers to carry a negative RT-PCR report of a Covid test taken within 72 hours before the flight.