NEW DELHI — The Indian government on Aug. 9 announced that foreign nationals residing in India could receive their Covid-19 vaccine in the country.
The Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare allowed foreign nationals residing in India to register on the CoWIN (Covid Vaccine Intelligence Network), the country’s vaccine registration portal, to receive their jab.
Foreign nationals can use their passport as identity proof for registration on the CoWIN portal, the ministry said.
India has administered over 500 million vaccine doses across the country, as of Aug. 9, the ministry said.
“A significant number of foreign nationals are living in India, especially in large metropolitan areas. In these areas, the potential of spread of Covid-19 is high due to higher population density,” the ministry said.
“To counter any possibility of such occurrence, it is important to vaccinate all eligible persons. This initiative will ensure the safety of foreign nationals residing in India. It will also bring down the possibilities of further transfer of infection from unvaccinated persons residing in India. It will also ensure overall safety from the further transmission of the Covid-19 virus.”
India has joined a list of nations that are giving vaccines to foreign nationals.
Some states of the United States approved the vaccination plan for tourists and foreign nationals.
“A recovery for all of us means in every part of New York City life is coming back,” said New York’s Mayor de Blasio.
“It means people feel safe and secure, and they know we’re moving forward as a city. So, when we think of recovery, of course, it means jobs and economic activity. It has to mean social justice. It has to mean fairness.”
The city plans to start vaccinating tourists and named Times Square, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Central Park, and the High Line as potential sites. Other states comprising Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas have started offering free Covid-19 vaccinations to foreigners and tourists.
The Maldives has also started vaccinating tourists.
“The campaign ‘Visit, Vaccinate, Vacation’ will provide tourists with a convenient way to access shots, but the scheme will only go live once the native population has been vaccinated,” said Maldives Tourism Minister Abdulla Mausoom.
“The main idea of tourism being open is to provide reasonably safe tourism with minimum inconvenience.”
Russia is also providing vaccines but not for free. The country is offering vaccine plans lasting three weeks for foreign travelers with prices ranging from $1,500 and $2,500 in addition to flight costs.
Abu Dhabi is another place that has been providing jabs to foreigners. The country has been offering tourists holding entry visas free Covid-19 vaccines of Pfizer or Sinopharm.
Indonesia’s Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry have also developed a plan to offer vaccines to tourists from abroad through packages that include vaccinations.
(With inputs from ANI)
Edited by Amrita Das and Praveen Pramod Tewari
