More countries should accept Covaxin: Travel companies

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Travel platforms want more countries to ease travel requirements for Indians vaccinated with Covaxin as they see an increase in bookings for destinations like Greece, Sri Lanka and Mauritius, The Economic Times reported on Friday. Recently, Oman added Covaxin to the approved list of Covid-19 vaccines for travel, lifting quarantine requirements for Indian passengers who have received two doses of the vaccine at least 14 days before the estimated arrival date.

This week the World Health Organisation (WHO) had sought additional clarifications from Bharat Biotech before granting Emergency Use License (EUL) for its Covid vaccine.

Serbia accepted Covaxin on mutual of acceptance

Thomas Cook India said that the acceptance from WHO opens the door to multiple global destinations and is of value, individual governments are allowed to take an independent call. What comes as a positive is that several destinations like Dubai, Maldives and Russia offer entry, irrespective of vaccination status with checks and balances like RT-PCR put in place, it added.

The company is hopeful of an approval, with WHO expecting to reconvene for the final risk-benefit assessment for Covaxin on November 3.

EaseMyTrip said that a significant number of people in our country are vaccinated with Covaxin. The approval from WHO will further enable more travellers to visit their favourite international destinations.

Ixigo said countries like Serbia have accepted Covaxin as a mutual acceptance. While Mauritus is also accepting Covaxin for ease of travel and attract tourists.

It also said that the global acceptance of Covaxin will definitely ease international travel plans for Indian travellers who are vaccinated currently but have to face mandatory quarantine due to current restrictions.