Why UK citizens travelling to India must quarantine, even if they've had both Covid vaccines

Words by Sanjay Jha, ITV News, Delhi

After UK government’s refusal to accept India’s vaccine certificate, India has announced a mandatory 10-day quarantine for all UK nationals arriving in India from the UK irrespective of their vaccination status.

The new regulations will come into effect from October 4 and will be applicable to all UK nationals arriving from the UK.

They will be required to take a pre-departure PCR test within 72 hours prior to travelling, as well as subsequent tests on arrival at the airport and on day eight after their arrival.

Coronavirus: What you need to know - How divided are parents on jabs for 12- to 15-year-olds?

UK nationals will also be required to undertake a mandatory quarantine at home or in their destination address for 10 days. The new rules apply irrespective of travellers having had both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.

The news comes after the UK government categorised travellers from India who have received the Covishield vaccine as "unvaccinated", a decision the UK later reversed.

Earlier, India and UK authorities held several rounds of talks but the UK is yet to take a call on accepting India’s vaccine certification.

The two countries had 10 days of technical discussions that were expected to resolve the issue but the development indicates negotiations have broken down.