Log in
Hanoi

Arrivals to Hanoi from Omicron-hit countries must undergo centralized quarantine

Hanoi will tighten immigration control at Noi Bai International Airport and monitor all passengers with a history of traveling through countries and regions that have recorded the new coronavirus strain of Omicron.

All passengers from countries that have detected the Omicron variant must undergo centralized quarantine, even when they have been fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19 within the past six months.

The decision was issued on December 27 by the Hanoi People's Committee.

A new guideline effective from January 1 allows fully vaccinated people and those who have recovered from Covid-19 to self-isolate for three days and others for seven days.

Under the decision, for the early detection of the Omicron variant, Hanoi will tighten immigration control at Noi Bai International Airport and monitor all passengers with a history of traveling through countries and regions that have recorded the new coronavirus strain, including South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, among others.

  Medical supervision at Noi Bai International Airport. Photo: Ngoc Tu

Passengers arriving from other countries must have tested negative for the coronavirus 72 hours prior to their entry into Vietnam. The airport will strictly control passengers' negative test results certificates and medical declarations.

Hanoi has also instructed laboratories to proactively conduct gene sequencing for early detection of the variant. Random testing will be done on people who entered Vietnam in the last 28 days after traveling Omicron-hit regions, those re-infected with Covid-19, and those from pandemic hotspots.

Besides, Hanoi has set out a plan to deal with the detection of the first case of Omicron infection which includes vigorous contact tracing to cut off the chain of transmission.

Depending on the risk of the Omicron variant spreading and causing severe disease, the city will implement further protocols for controlling the pandemic.

The Omicron variant, which was first reported in late November from South Africa, has spread to at least 108 countries and territories with over 150,000 cases, prompting governments to impose stricter restrictions including travel bans.

In an interview with The Hanoi Times via phone, Tran Dac Phu, senior advisor at the Public Health Emergency Operations Center under the Ministry of Health said that although Vietnam has not yet found any Covid-19 cases carrying the Omicron variant, the risk of Omicron penetrating and then spreading in Vietnam is very high.

"The World Health Organization said this is a variant of concern because of its high transmissibility. Therefore, it is necessary to stay alert because the highly contagious strain could overload the nation's healthcare system," Phu stressed.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam also said at a recent seminar that Vietnam will not hurry to fully reopen to foreign visitors as concerned about the Omicron variant.

"We should not be negligent about the pandemic during the new normal period when the world is struggling with the Omicron strain, which is 3.2 times more infectious than the Delta strain," Dam said.

Earlier, Ho Chi Minh City in mid-December started imposing more stringent inspections on foreign arrivals, especially those coming from places where the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus has been detected.

Reactions:
Share:
Trending
Most Viewed
Related news
Hanoi stands cautious about Omicron variant

Hanoi stands cautious about Omicron variant

09 Dec, 14:44

Hanoi’s high double vaccination rate of over 95% has been instrumental in keeping the number of severe cases low, allowing many coronavirus-positive cases to be treated at home or grassroots health facilities.

Hanoi seals strategic investment ties with Australia at high-level visit

Hanoi seals strategic investment ties with Australia at high-level visit

Pho Festival 2025: Celebration of Hanoi’s iconic dish

Pho Festival 2025: Celebration of Hanoi’s iconic dish

Hanoi approves construction of US$600 million Tu Lien Bridge

Hanoi approves construction of US$600 million Tu Lien Bridge

Breathtaking transformation of Hanoi's leaf-changing season 

Breathtaking transformation of Hanoi's leaf-changing season 

Hanoi tightens management of conditional businesses

Hanoi tightens management of conditional businesses

Hanoi celebrates Vietnam's ethnic diversity

Hanoi celebrates Vietnam's ethnic diversity

THE HANOI TIMES —The Vietnam Ethnic Village of Culture & Tourism, located in the suburbs of Hanoi, will host a series of events under the theme “Cultural Colors of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups.”

Cultural heritage celebrated at thousand-year temple in Hanoi 

Cultural heritage celebrated at thousand-year temple in Hanoi 

THE HANOI TIMES — The traditional commemoration of the passing of Genie Huyen Thien Tran Vu was held on March 31 at Quan Thanh Temple, a special national relic built in the 11th century in Hanoi's Ba Dinh District.

"Silent Contributions 2025" highlights solutions to improve people's lives

"Silent Contributions 2025" highlights solutions to improve people's lives

THE HANOI TIMES — There is a strong need for more targeted solutions to help female workers effectively rebuild their lives after disasters, said Hoang Phuong Thao, Country Director of ActionAid Vietnam at the launch of the 2025 "Silent Contributions" media program on March 31.