Indians who are fully vaccinated with Covishield or any other UK-approved vaccine will not be quarantined when they arrive in Britain from October 11, the High Commissioner to India said on Thursday, ending a row over what was perceived as unfair imposition of COVId-19 quarantine rules.
"No quarantine for India travellers to United Kingdom fully vaccinated with Covishield or another UK-approved vaccine from 11 October. Thanks to Indian government for close cooperation over last month," British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis tweeted on Thursday.
On October 1, in response to the UK quarantine rules for Indians and citizens of several nations, including those vaccinated with UK-approved Covishield, India had imposed mandatory 10-day quarantine for British citizens irrespective of vaccination status.
Meanwhile, with 22,431 people testing positive for coronavirus infection in a day, India's total tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 3,38,94,312, while the active cases declined to 2,44,198, the lowest in 204 days, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday.
The death count climbed to 4,49,856 with 318 fresh fatalities, according to the data.
Here are Highlights on Coronavirus Cases In India :
In the midst of the Covid pandemic, Gujarat night curfew has been extended by a month in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, Gandhinagar, Junagadh and Bhavnagar.
70 per cent of people in Tamil Nadu have COVID-19 antibodies, the latest serological survey - the third since last year - revealed.
Arunachal Pradesh recorded 32 new infections which took the case count to 54,844. A total of 54,146 people have recovered from COVID-19 so far, State Surveillance Officer (SSO) Dr Lobsang Jampa said.
With the addition of 267 coronavirus positive cases, the infection count in Thane district of Maharashtra mounted to 5,61,128, an official said. As no fresh death due to the virus was reported in the district, the fatality count remained unchanged at 11,427.
The COVID-19 tally of Andaman and Nicobar Islands rose to 7,629 as two more people tested positive for the infection, a health bulletin said. The Union territory now has 11 active cases, while 7,489 people have been cured of the disease, and 129 patients have died due to the infection so far, it said.
Australian doctors warned a too-rapid easing of COVID-19 restrictions in Sydney could put pressure on health systems and risk lives, as the country's biggest city prepares for an end to more than 100 days in lockdown next week. Stay-at-home restrictions are due to be lifted on Monday after New South Wales state hit a targeted 70% for full vaccination of its adult population. Authorities on Thursday bumped up permitted limits for home gatherings, weddings and funerals.
India reported 21,257 cases in the last 24 hours, which is just five per cent lower than yesterday's figure when the country reported 22,431 Covid cases.