Nearly 7,000 overseas Vietnamese flock home today for shelter from pandemic
Thousands of overseas Vietnamese have returned to the country due to global rising threats and limited travel options.
Roughly 6,800 Vietnamese people from Europe and Southeast Asian countries are expected to return to the home country on Wednesday [March 18] following the rapid spread of the new coronavirus.
On the day, 999 passengers from Europe and 5,711 others from ASEAN countries will land at airports across Vietnam, local media reported, citing the Ministry of Transport.
| A rising number of overseas Vietnamese return to the country following rising pandemic fears. Photo: Tintuc |
Over the past time, flocks of Vietnamese people have returned to the country as the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic moves from Asia to Europe and travel options become limited.
On March 17, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a 30-day ban on travel to the European Union and Schengen zone.
People coming from ASEAN countries will arrive mostly at the airports of Noi Bai in Hanoi, Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, Cam Ranh in Khanh Hoa province, Lien Khuong in Da Lat, Can Tho, and Phu Quoc in Kien Giang province.
Under Vietnam’s safety regulations against Covid-19, passengers coming from international flights are subject to more procedures, including medical declaration, sample collection for coronavirus tests, and mandatory 14-day quarantine at government facilities for those from epidemic-hit areas.
Currently, Vietnam offers quarantine to around 28,000 people, including more than 21,000 in different localities. Military barracks accommodate nearly 7,000, including 1,848 coming from China, 3,299 from South Korea, 1,562 from Europe, 84 people who made close contact with infected ones, and 107 foreigners, according to the National Committee for Search and Rescue of Vietnam (Vinasarcom).
