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UK, Spain, UAE: Countries that have eased travel restrictions for Indians

The relaxations come with riders but following India's constant push to allow Indians and to recognise Covishield and Covaxin, several countries eased curbs on Indians this week. Following diplomatic push, several countries have now eased travel restrictions on passengers from India. In this week, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and Spain have relaxed their international travel rules for Indians and people travelling from India. While these relaxations do not mean that every Indian can fly to these destinations, some Indians will be allowed to travel. The United Kingdom has moved India from the 'Red' to 'Amber' list which means fully vaccinated Indians will not have to be quarantined for 10 days. But before travelling to the UK, vaccinated individuals too will have to take tests -- three days before the scheduled travelling date and then on or before day 2 after reaching the destination. Now, Covaxin and Covishield are not recognised by the UK government. So how does moving India from the Red to Amber list help? Unvaccinated Indians will have to quarantine for 10 days. They will have to take a Covid-19 test on or before day 2 and then again on or after day 8. India was on the Red List of the UK, going by which no Indians were allowed to visit the UK directly from India. Now, Indians are allowed in the UK but Indians may not get the waiver for the vaccinated individuals since UK has not recognised Covaxin, Covishield and Sputnik V. The change will be effective from August 8. Spain has opened the doors for fully vaccinated Indians. Covishield is a recognised vaccine in Spain. Indian travellers must have a Schengen visa or apply for a Spanish visa, the new advisory said. Only the Delhi centre to process visa applications has opened. The United Arab Emirates have allowed people to fly from India but they have to fall into specific categories, identified by the UAE authorities. UAE residents, students, professionals working for UAE government agencies are allowed to travel back to the UAE from India. Transit passengers with negative RT-PCR reports are also allowed to travel from India. In the wake of the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in India, the UAE barred all flights from India. It even disallowed UAE residents stuck in India to come back, as only diplomats were allowed to fly.

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Goa reopens for tourists as Covid-19 cases decline: Know rules

After months of being shut due to a surge in Covid-19 cases, mainly because of the Delta variant and concerns of second wave across the country, Goa has finally reopened for tourists while following proper protocols. As per the order, tourists are allowed to enter the state only if they are full vaccinated or carrying a negative RT-PCR report. Visiting the state, known for its beautiful beaches and natural scenarios, one tourist told news agency ANI, "Goa govt is very alert. They are asking for masks everywhere and aren't allowing anyone to enter without negative RTPCR report." Earlier, chief minister Pramod Sawant also added that new SOPs for travellers, mandating negative RT-PCR test results or full vaccination will be laid down in view of upcoming festivals. Meanwhile, Goa Airport Director Gagan Malik expressed tghat reopening Goa for tourists was a "good sign," adding, "Aviation industry has suffered huge losses (due to COVID). In Goa, we had an average of 77 flight operations per day, which stands at 30 now. All airlines barring one have restarted their operations." With the addition of 97 fresh cases of COVID-19, tally of infections in Goa rose to 1,71,705 on Friday, an official from the state health department said. At least 133 patients were discharged from hospitals, while one died of the infection during the day, taking the count of recoveries to 1,67,556 and toll to 3,157, the official said. With this, the coastal state is now left with 992 active cases, he said.

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Tourist places in Kerala to welcome visitors from Today

Tourist destinations across the state will be opened for visitors from Today, bringing cheers to the hospitality sector ahead of Onam. As part of revising the lockdown restrictions, the state government announced that all tourist spots in open spaces will be accessible to domestic visitors from Mondays to Saturdays. The forest department has also decided to open all eco-tourism spots from Monday in the light of the government fixing new guidelines for people going out.A tourism department officer said all destinations, including beaches, hill stations and spots offering houseboat services, will be open to visitors. “If any particular area is declared containment zone, the respective district collector can order closure of the destination. With the new directive, the eco-tourism spots under various forest development agencies — like other tourist spots — which were deserted in the wake of the Covid second wave, will be teeming with holidayers by Onam,” the officer said. In the absence of foreign visitors, the department is hoping to cash in on the domestic tourism potential. “The sector has already sustained a loss of Rs 33,000 crore from March to December 2020 and the loss in forex is estimated at Rs 7,000 crore,” said Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas. He said the tourism department is planning to bring out an app linking the unexplored destinations across the state to provide details of the spots to tourists. E M Najeeb, president of Confederation of Kerala Tourism Industry, said the hospitality sector is ready to follow all guidelines suggested by the government to open the sector. “Next, the government should convince other states about the real situation in Kerala as this would help more people visit the state. Some states have been insisting that their people go into mandatory quarantine if they visit Kerala. This has to be changed, for which the government’s intervention is necessary,” he said. What and who are allowed: 1) Only persons who have taken at least one dose of vaccine before two weeks, or who are in possession of RT-PCR negative certificate less than 72 hours old or who are in possession of Covid positive result that is more than a month old will be allowed to visit tourist places 2) All tourist centres and related establishments should display the status of vaccination of employees and number of persons permitted at a time 3)Accommodation facilities like hotels, resorts etc will be allowed in bio-bubble model in all areas on all days.

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More relaxations on way including decision on local train travel in Maharashtra

The Maharashtra government is planning to relax more COVID-19 curbs in the coming days but with utmost caution and will also take a call regarding the local train travel, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said on Saturday. Speaking at a function organised by the BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport) undertaking to induct more electric buses into its fleet, the chief minister also said he met with the representatives of hotels and restaurants, who demanded further relaxations in timings beyond 4 pm, and explained to them that the curbs will be eased step by step. "The Maharashtra government is going to grant more relaxations, but we are taking every step cautiously. A decision will be taken for local train passengers as well. We need to ensure that these relaxations do not trigger another wave of COVID-19," Thackeray said. The state government recently introduced several relaxations in 25 districts, which have reported a low COVID-19 positivity rate, by allowing all shops to remain open till 8 pm. The government also allowed the resumption of schools for certain classes in urban and rural areas from August 17 onwards. Currently, common people are not allowed to board Mumbai suburban trains which are being operated only for the people employed in essential sectors. Many quarters are demanding that common people, who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, be allowed to board the local trains, called the lifeline of Mumbai. Maharashtra on Friday reported 5,539 fresh cases of COVID-19 and 187 deaths, which took its tally of infections to 63,41,759 and the toll to 1,33,717. The state is now left with 74,483 active cases.

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Travelling to Goa? State revises Covid guidelines for visitors.

Travellers going to Goa in the upcoming festive season will have to produce proof that they are safe from Covid-19. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that visitors will have to show negative RT-PCR test results or vaccination certificates for both doses for visiting the coastal state. "The positivity rate of new Covid-19 cases in the state stands at 1.8 per cent to 2 per cent. A negative RT-PCR report or a vaccination certificate for both doses is mandatory to visit Goa," CM Sawant told news agency ANI on Friday. The new SOPs in this regard will be laid down in view of the upcoming festivals, the Chief Minister added. On Friday, Goa logged 97 fresh cases of Covid-19, taking the total tally of infections in the state to to 1,71,705. The state saw 133 patients being discharged from hospitals, taking the count of recoveries to 1,67,556. The total death toll increased to 3,157 as one patient succumbed to the virus during the day. Now the Goa has 992 active Covid-19 cases. A total of 4,685 swab samples were tested during the day, raising the number of tests conducted in the state to 10,83,561.

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No vehicle entering state from Assam despite withdraw of travel advisory

The “unofficial” economic blockade on National Highway-306, allegedly imposed by certain groups in Assam's Cachar district, entered its 12th day on Friday, a top official in Mizoram said. Chief Secretary Lalnunmawia Chuaungo told reporters here that no vehicle has made its way to the state from Assam, despite the withdrawal of the travel advisory issued by the Himanta Biswa Sarma government. A festering border dispute between the two northeastern states had triggered a bloody conflict on July 26, leading to the death of seven people -- six Assam Police personnel and a civilian. The Assam government had subsequently issued an advisory asking people to avoid travelling to Mizoram. It was revoked on Thursday following talks between the two sides. Chuaungo said the ruling dispensation in Mizoram is in “constant touch” with the Assam government, which has promised to take necessary steps for resumption of traffic movement via NH-306. "It is unfortunate that no vehicle carrying goods or passengers is entering Mizoram from Assam, despite the withdrawal of the travel advisory. The government is in constant touch with the Centre and Assam. I have also spoken with the Assam chief secretary, who assured us that measures will be taken to clear the road," he said. Officials in Mizoram alleged that railways tracks linked to the state were damaged in at least three places in Assam's Hailakandi district. The “unofficial” blockade has choked all supplies, including medical consignments and COVID-19 equipment, they added. Lalruatkima, the information and public relations minister in Mizoram, further said that more than 30 people, including non-tribals, are currently stranded in Silchar’s Mizoram house due to the blockade. Several Mizoram residents are also stuck in Guwahati, he said. Cachar SP Ramandeep Kaur, when contacted, told PTI over phone that the Assam government had been encouraging people to travel to Mizoram but many were reluctant "fearing backlash". "Even before the withdrawal of the advisory, the government encouraged people to travel to Mizoram. It seems some of them are reluctant as they fear being attacked," she stated. Kaur also said that two vehicles were vandalised by unidentified men somewhere between Silchar and Lailapur when they had tried to move towards Mizoram on Thursday. A probe has been launched into the incident, she added.

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