India, Nepal sign MoU for recognition of COVID vaccine certificates to ease travel

In a significant development, India and Nepal on Tuesday penned a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for reciprocal recognition of COVID vaccination certificate to considerably ease travel-related concerns for fully vaccinated citizens from neighbouring nations. "It marks anor milestone in robust COVID-19 related cooperations and coordination between India and Nepal," a statement by Indian Embassy re.

Indian Ambassor to Nepal Vinay M Kwatra signed MoU along with Nepal's Ministry of Health and Population Secretary Roshan Pokhrel at a ceremony organized at ministry office in Katmandu, a press release issued by Indian Embassy in Katmandu re. Health Minister Virodh Khatiwa was also present at programme.

" MoU, between health ministries of two countries, is a significant step in easing travel for fully COVID-19 vaccinated travellers of both countries," an Embassy of India press release said.

With this, people who are fully vaccinated with COVID vaccine are allowed to travel to both countries by presenting vaccination certificate, as per Nepal's Ministry of Health and Population.

As of November 19, a total of 110 nations h agreed to reciprocal recognition of COVID-19 vaccination certificates with India, official sources informed on November 18.

Over 110 countries mutually accept COVID vaccine certificates from India

A total of 110 countries agreed to mutual acceptance of vaccination certificates, including those that recognise Indian vaccination certificates of travellers completely vaccinated with Covishield/WHO approved/nationally approved COVID vaccine, PTI reported. Union Health Ministry guidelines provide that travellers from all such countries that grant quarantine-free entrance to Indians are allowed some relaxations on arrival on basis of reciprocity (Category A countries).

Travellers who are fully vaccinated and travelling from a nation with which India has reciprocal agreements for mutual acceptance of WHO-approved COVID-19 vaccines will be allowed to depart airport and will not be subjected to home quarantine. y are required to self-monitor ir health for 14 days following ir arrival. If partially or not vaccinated, travellers must take steps such as submitting a sample for a post-arrival COVID test at point of arrival, after which y will be allowed to leave airport, quarantine at home for seven days, re-testing on eighth day of arrival in India, and furr self-monitoring of ir health for next seven days if negative.

Indian Embassy in Nepal h in April vised its citizens to avoid travelling to Nepal for purposes of onward journeys to third countries after Katmandu banned all foreign nationals from using Himalayan nation as a transit point as part of its efforts to combat surge in COVID virus.

(Inputs: PTI)

(Image: TWITTER/INDIAINNEPAL/PTI)