Recently Supriya Prithviraj shared a throwback video on Instagram, which shows Prithviraj driving through a village in Switzerland. They had visited Europe in January 2020. You could see lovely meadows, mountains, and fields in the video along with a smiling Prithviraj.
“Throwback to when we could go to different places on holiday! This is from January 2020, who would have thought the world would come to a halt in the next few months!”
Since the lockdown, several countries in Europe are gearing up to open its door to tourism now. The green listed countries outside Europe (Australia, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand, and Singapore) and those who have been vaccinated can now fly to France. For this, they can take any one of the European Union certified AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Modena, or Johnson & Johnson shots. A negative PCR test three days prior to travel or a negative antigen test that stretches not more than 48 hours is also mandatory.
Fully vaccinated travellers from “orange” countries—including the United States and the United Kingdom—will also be allowed in as long as they provide a negative PCR test no older than 72 hours, or a negative antigenic test of no more than 48 hours. Denmark announced on June 4 that it would open June 5 to vaccinated Americans—providing it’s been 14 days since their final dose. Unvaccinated children are allowed entry but will need to take a test.
Which are green, orange, and red countries?
This is a traffic light system launched in France which determined the quarantine measures and other travel restrictions
Red: Red-listed countries won’t be allowed to enter Europe and that includes fully vaccinated people. These countries are places where variants are causing concern. India is part of this list. Those who are allowed to travel face a strict 10-day quarantine enforced by visits from the police.
Orange: Travel will be allowed for any reason, including tourism and family visits, but only people who can prove they have been fully vaccinated will be spared from testing and quarantine requirements. To be counted as ‘fully vaccinated’ you must have received one of the four vaccines currently licensed for use in the EU – Pfizer BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, or Johnson & Johnson (known as Janssen) and it must be more than two weeks since your final dose of the vaccine.
Green: Travel will be allowed for any reason with no requirement to quarantine, but travellers may have to present either proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter.
Europe has banned more than 16 countries including India, South Africa, and Brazil which have already shown different Covid variants. Having said countries like Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the Netherlands have started giving Visas to Indians. For this, you can apply for Visas from either Mumbai, Bangalore, Kochi, Delhi, Hyderabad, or Chennai.
Countries Indians can travel now
Turkey: Indians can travel to Turkey by following a strict 14-day COVID quarantine rule upon arrival. Besides, travellers will have to undergo an RT-PCR test on the fourteenth day and can leave the quarantine facility after they test negative.
Russia: You can apply for a tourist visa that is valid for up to 30 days for single entry or double entry. But before entering the country you need a negative COVID-19 PCR test report issued 72 hours before arrival. Book your tickets only if the situation is under control.
Egypt: Health screenings will be done on arrival in Egypt, and all the passengers are required to fill in a health declaration. Also, as per the reports, all the passengers will be required to present a negative RT-PCR test, no older than 72 hours from August 15 onwards.