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Mar 31, 2020 / 16:16

Covid-19: British amb. urges Britons in Vietnam to comply with local laws

The British diplomatic mission in Vietnam advises their nationals in the country to stay at home, except for essential activities, to shield them from coronavirus infection risk.

British Ambassador to Vietnam Gareth Ward and British consul general in Ho Chi Minh City Ian Gibbons on March 30 issued advisories to British expats requesting them to comply with the Vietnamese government’s measures on fighting Covid-19.

Gareth Ward, British Ambassador to Vietnam. Photo: fco.gov.uk

According to the British ambassador,  the embassy has helped hundreds of British nationals, who were visiting Vietnam, and who got difficulties because of the coronavirus in the last few weeks. Many of them have returned safety to the UK. 

The embassy requested UK expats to practice social distancing and stay at home as much as possible.

“You should stay home as much as possible, and if you need to go outside, always wear a mask. Aim to keep a minimum distance of two meters from people outside your household”, Gareth Ward said in the message.

 Ian Gibbons, British consul general in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: fco.gov.uk

For his part, Ian Gibbons, British consul general in Ho Chi Minh City, said: “Advice on masks is also strict, so people don’t get caught out. Make sure you always have a mask with you as you leave home.”

“We’re fortunate to live and work in Vietnam. We should not expect to be treated differently from local people. So, please respect the law, respect Vietnamese cultural norms and show that you’re playing your part in helping to tackle this global pandemic,” Ambassador Gareth Ward told his fellow citizens.

To curb coronavirus contagion, since the start of this month, the Vietnamese government has required all people to wear a face mask in public places. A nationwide social distancing campaign will be in place during two weeks starting April 1.