Tuesday, the government of the United Kingdom (UK) announced to accept travellers from Pakistan who received Chinese Covid vaccines.
UK’s High Commissioner to Pakistan Christian Turner revealed the news earlier today. He posted the travel updates on his Twitter account.
“Good news for Pakistani travellers, UK adds Sinovac, Sinopharm, and Covaxin to the fully vaccinated list for inward travel rules from 22 November,” Christian Turner wrote.
Good news for 🇵🇰 travellers:
🇬🇧 adds Sinonvac, Sinopharm & Covaxin to the fully vaccinated list for inward travel Rules from 22 November @WHO @Officialncoc @fslsltn @Asad_UmarMore details here 👇https://t.co/6MEGmKCubC
— Christian Turner (@CTurnerFCDO) November 9, 2021
As per the new updates, Pakistani travellers with complete doses of Sinopharm, Sinovac, and Covaxin are eligible for travel to the UK. Travelers must be vaccinated completely at least 14 days before they are due to arrive in England.
Pertinent to note, the UK did not accept Chinese vaccines even though the World Health Organization (WHO) approved them.
Therefore, this is a welcoming development for Pakistanis as a large number of the population received the Chinese vaccines. Moreover, UK’s strict travel restrictions over Pakistan were a source of great inconvenience to the people.
The UK also received a lot of backlash for its measures against Pakistan. Pakistani Twitteratis, along with government officials accused the UK of prejudice. The accusations came amid strict measures despite Pakistan’s remarkable Covid management.
Read more: New UK quarantine rules shake up summer travel plans
Asad Umar slams the UK for not accepting Chinese vaccines
Last month, Federal Minister Asad Umar criticized the UK for not accepting Chinese vaccines. During that time, the UK had updated its travel advisory, placing Pakistan on the ‘rest of the world list,’ categorically announcing that it will not accept Chinese covid-19 vaccines.
Asad Umar wrote on Twitter: “[The] UK decides gora certificates [and] vaccines are okay but most non-gora vaccine certificates [and] Chinese vaccines are not. This despite widespread evidence of fake certificates in [the] US [and] Europe.”
UK decides gora certificates & vaccines are ok but most non gora vaccine certificates & chinese vaccines are not. This despite widespread evidence of fake certificates in US & Europe. Chinese vaccines are WHO approved. Health considerations or hangover of a colonial mindset? pic.twitter.com/j2TQTY8gVn
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) October 7, 2021
The minister highlighted that Chinese vaccines are approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).
“Health considerations or hangover of a colonial mindset?” Umar raised the question as the UK government decided not to include Chinese vaccines in its list of UK-approved vaccines.
Read more: Pakistan refuses Home Office Charter flights from the UK