Covishield and Covaxin gets nod from New Zealand

There is, however, no news from the NZ government about the reopening of the borders for Indian travellers or resumption of flights to India

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The New Zealand government has recognized both India-made vaccines — Covishield and Covaxin — in its list of eight recognized vaccines. The recognition will allow Indian travellers to visit New Zealand without undergoing the mandatory quarantine. There is, however, no news from the NZ government about the reopening of the borders for Indian travellers or resumption of flights to India.

Sharing the announcement on Twitter, Muktesh Pardeshi, India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, Samoa, Niue and the Cook Islands mentioned that he was keenly waiting for travel restrictions to be eased for Indian travellers. “In a positive decision, New Zealand includes Covishield and Covaxin in the list of eight recognised vaccines. We keenly await lifting of travel restrictions. India is already open to vaccinated tourists,” he tweeted.

Pardeshi also said that the Indian government was speaking to New Zealand regarding a mutual recognition arrangement for vaccination certificates to allow quarantine-free travel. Australia, New Zealand’s neighbour, has also approved both Covishield and Covaxin for international travel and announced to open borders for Indians from December 1, who are fully vaccinated and hold an eligible visa.

India has opened entry of fully vaccinated international travellers from November 15 and has allowed entry of more than 100 countries without quarantine. New Zealand is not on that list yet

Currently, the New Zealand government has put India in the list of countries with ‘very high risk’ of spreading Covid-19. According to existing travel rules, entry of direct travellers from India has been banned. If Indian travellers enter via a third country, they need to at least spend 14 days outside India and also go through the 15 day-mandatory quarantine in New Zealand.

On its part, India has put New Zealand in the ‘at risk’ category. That means international travellers from NZ would have to follow measures outlined on arrival at Indian airports including Covid-19 testing. India has opened entry of fully vaccinated international travellers from November 15 and has allowed entry of more than 100 countries without quarantine. New Zealand is not on that list yet.

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