Relief for NRIs as Saudi approves Covishield

Scores of NRIs who had gone to India had taken Covishield as it continues to be the mainstay of India’s Covid-19 vaccination drive

Jeddah: In a major relief to thousands of NRIs, Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia on Sunday announced that the Saudi Arabian government had recognized Covishield vaccine of India as equivalent of AstraZeneca which was approved by Saudi Arabia.

Scores of NRIs who had gone to India had taken Covishield as it continues to be the mainstay of India’s Covid-19 vaccination drive. Covishield from Oxford/AstraZeneca is one of the two approved vaccines in India.

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NRIs after taking the jab, receive certificates mentioning the Covishield but some gave their Aadhaar number rather than Passport Number. Several NRIs approached Indian Diplomatic missions for clarification to avoid hassles during travel. Indian Embassy was working with Saudi authorities to get approval for Covishield.

Saudi Arabia approved Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines for emergency use in the Kingdom besides Johnson & Johnson and Moderna for incoming passengers.

All travelers — residents and visitors — who spend 14 days after completing their doses of vaccines approved in Saudi Arabia, do not need to quarantine themselves upon arrival in the Kingdom.

Other nations in the region are expected to announce similar decisions.

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