New Delhi: France on Saturday announced to accept passengers vaccinated with the AstraZeneca Vaccine CoviShield, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India.
France, amid the coronavirus pandemic, became the 14th EU member to recognize the vaccine for inclusion in the European Union’s Green Pass, which allows entry to travelers.
Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla welcomed the announcement and said it is good news as 16 European countries recognize Kovidshield as an acceptable vaccine for entry.
“This is really good news for travellers, as we see sixteen European countries recognizing COVISHIELD as an acceptable vaccine for entry. However, despite vaccination, entry guidelines may vary from country to country, so read before you travel,” Poonawalla tweeted.
Belgium, Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden have so far given their permission to travelers from Kovishield.
However, Denmark, Estonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Slovakia Lithuania, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Italy, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia and Malta have not yet approved the vaccine.
read also: European drug regulator says ‘no applications have yet been received’ for Covishield authorization
The AP reported that from Sunday, France will require anyone coming from Britain, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Greece or Cyprus to cross its borders to test negative for less than 24 hours.
France has added Tunisia, Indonesia, Cuba and Mozambique to its “red list” of countries at high virus risk.
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