Hanoi guides strict rules on quarantine of foreigners

Foreigners entering Vietnam are subject to mandatory medical declaration, safety screening measures and undergo quarantine, the Government Portal reported, citing the Hanoi Department of Health's official dispatch on Covid-19 prevention and control regulations for foreigners.

Accordingly, foreigners showing signs of fever, cough, shortness of breath will be immediately taken to medical facilities for isolation and treatment.

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The Vietnamese government has decided to temporarily suspend entry of all foreigners from March 22 due to swift and complicated evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The decision has been made after a growing number of coronavirus infections in the country in recent days have mostly originated from Vietnamese and foreign visitors coming from Europe and the US.

This is a bolder step after the government required all Vietnamese nationals and foreigners entering Vietnam to undergo mandatory 14-day quarantine, with effect from March 18. The country has earlier suspended visa issuance to foreign nationals.

Foreigners who are experts, business executives, high-tech experts bearing papers certifying they are negative for Covid-19 issued by the host country’s competent authorities and approved by Vietnam will be allowed for entry and must be strictly isolated. These cases may undergo concentrated quarantine at indicated hotels in Hanoi city if they are willing to pay for all expenses.

For foreigners with diplomatic or official passports, if they are in good health and show no signs of illness and their health condition is guaranteed by the diplomatic mission, they may be quarantined at the mission or at their residence for 14 days after entering Vietnam.

Foreigners who are under quarantine at concentrated centers, home, or residences and have tested negative will be isolated for 14 days in accordance with regulations.

If foreign citizens under medical isolation wish to leave Vietnam, the local authorities and the isolation control unit will prepare means of transportation and supplies (face mask and disinfectant solution) to take them to the departure points. Besides, the foreign citizens must inform the airline in advance to arrange appropriate seats on the plane that which takes them home.

The municipal Department of Foreign Affairs and Consular Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are in charge of coordinating with of foreign embassies in guiding quarantine procedures on the Covid-19 pandemic prevention in accordance with Vietnam’s regulations.

Besides, the two above-mentioned agencies are authorized to change isolation places and departure points for foreign nationals in accordance with regulations, then inform the Hanoi Department of Health.

Hanoi has been tasked to set up new quarantine facilities capable of accommodating 20,000 people.

As of late April 8, Vietnam has reported 251 people positive with the coronavirus, of them 122 have recovered and been discharged from hospital.

Currently, 41% of Covid-19 patients in Vietnam are foreigners who entered Vietnam.