Reopening economy, Vietnam to receive 20,000 int'l arrivals per month

By relaunching international flights this September, the country expects the entry of 20,000 people per month through international airports of Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat and Can Tho, Minister – Head of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung said at the online government meeting on Covid-19 prevention on September 11.

The country expects the entry of 20,000 people through international airports of Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat and Can Tho. Photo: Vietnam Airlines

From September 15, the country will reopen four international routes to Japan, South Korea, China and Taiwan (China), and from September 22, flights to Cambodia and Laos will be resumed.

For boarding, passengers must have papers certifying their negative test results for nCoV, issued 5 days before departure, and undergo a 5-7-day paid quarantine period when entering Vietnam. During the quarantine period, the passenger will be tested for coronavirus twice.

Those with negative results will continue to self-isolate for another 14 days under local supervision. In case they show signs of SARS-CoV-2 infection, they will be sent to concentrated quarantine centers. The cost of isolation and testing is borne by the incoming person, regardless of whether their nationality is Vietnamese or foreign.

For passengers in transit to a third country, if their latest test for coronavirus takes place over 14 days prior departure, they must test again before boarding. He/she could take the test at the airport or at place of residence after paying VND1.2 million (US$51.5) for the PCR test.

According to Mr. Dung, hotels and accommodation establishments at localities are ready to host and provide paid quarantine to 20,000 people on entry who are required to install mobile tracking app during their stay.

At the meeting, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said the country has not confirmed any local infection over the past eight days, indicating that the country has initially contained the pandemic.

The prime minister required international flights to be resumed in phases in a cautious manner to avoid new outbreaks caused by incoming people.  

As of September 11, Vietnam has confirmed 1,059 cases of nCoV infection, including 402 imported. About 35 people, all with pre-existing medical conditions, died from the disease.

Previously, from April 1, Vietnam stopped all air connections with other countries. Recently, a number of foreign airlines reopened international routes to Vietnam, but only for bringing goods in and taking passengers out of Vietnam.

The country continues to conduct repatriation flights according to the plan of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with priority given to passengers who are in difficult circumstances, experts, high-tech workers. All incoming people must undergo quarantine for 14 days.