Ease Restrictions On In-Bound Travellers: Foreign Govts, Tourism Sector To India

By OB Bureau On Jul 26, 2021

New Delhi: India is under pressure from both foreign governments and the tourism sector to gradually ease COVID-19 restrictions on foreign travellers, especially those who are fully vaccinated.

India too has been asking other countries, especially members of the European Union (EU), the United States and China, to remove travel and quarantine restrictions on Indian nationals, especially those who have been vaccinated.

During a visit to London, Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla had asked the United Kingdom to review its ban on travel from India saying that large Indian cities such as New Delhi and Mumbai are “practically free” of COVID-19.

External Affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told a regular news briefing last week, “We believe that this easing will be an important step towards economic recovery post-Covid for all our countries. There have been some positive steps in this direction of easing restrictions…and we hope that more countries will continue to take steps towards normalising the movement of people from India.”

On the Indian side, work is being done to facilitate students and professionals who want to join classes beginning in the autumn in European countries, particularly Germany and France, and the US or return to their jobs.

However, there is still a ban on scheduled international flights till July 31. At present India operates some flights under the Vande Bharat Mission for repatriating Indian nationals from around the world, and has put in place air bubble arrangements with 28 countries, ranging from Afghanistan to Uzbekistan.

Notably, almost half of the 27 members of the EU now allow the entry of fully vaccinated Indians, while other countries are allowing the entry of those vaccinated with doses approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO).