Spl vax relaxation for foreign travel extended

The ministry of health and family welfare has permitted students travelling abroad for education, persons travelling to join work in foreign countries, including seafarers and other special groups, to avail of the 28-day gap between first and second doses of the vaccine till December 31.

The ministry has extended the validity of SOPs that grants special relaxation to specified categories from October 31 to December 31. These SOPs permit those travelling abroad for education and employment to take the second dose of the vaccine between 28 and 84 days.

The categories permitted the 28-day gap between vaccines also include people travelling for urgent basis such as for availing treatment, foreign nationals who have to return to their countries, athletes, etc.

President of the Goa Seamen’s Association of India, Frank Viegas thanked the ministry and NRI commissioner for considering the association’s request to extend the validity of the SOPs for seafarers.

NRI commissioner Narendra Sawaikar had written to the ministry of health and family welfare requesting that the validity of SOPs be extended, especially for seafarers from Goa who intend to undertake international travel after October 31.

Sawaikar in his letter stated that Goa, like many other states, has a large diaspora and NRIs which include seafarers, and that they be permitted the special dispensation for international travel for employment and education.

The validity of Sops was earlier extended from August 31 to October 31.