Covishield Gets Nod From France For Travel; Serum Institute CEO Says ‘Indeed Great News’

Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla welcomed the announcement and said it is good news as 16 European countries recognise Covishield as an acceptable vaccine for entry.

Covishield (File Photo)

New Delhi: France on Saturday announced to accept the travellers vaccinated with Covishield, the AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India.

France, amid the coronavirus, pandemic, becomes the 14th European Union member to recognise the vaccine for inclusion in the EU green pass, which allows entry to the travellers.

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Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla welcomed the announcement and said it is good news as 16 European countries recognise Covishield as an acceptable vaccine for entry.

“It is indeed good news for travellers, as we see sixteen European countries recognising COVISHIELD as an acceptable vaccine for entry. However despite being vaccinated, entry guidelines might vary from country to country, so do read up 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 nod to the Covishield jabbed travellers.

Denmark, Estonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Slovakia Lithuania, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Italy, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia and Malta are, however, yet to give their nod to this vaccine.

Beginning Sunday, France will also start requiring anyone who is not vaccinated arriving from Britain, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Greece or Cyprus to present a negative test less than 24 hours old to cross its borders, AP reported.

France has added Tunisia, Indonesia, Cuba and Mozambique in the “red list” of nations with high virus risk.