Vietnam raises red flag to visitors from coronavirus-hit areas
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc made the decision following rising number of infected people in South Korea which has surpassed 1,100.
Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has decided to suspend the entry of visitors coming from or traveling across areas that are affected by the Covid-19 epidemic in a move to curb infections in the country.
People coming to Vietnam for official purposes would be required to make medical declaration and stay in quarantine for 14 days, local media quoted a directive signed on February 25 by the PM.
| Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Photo: VGP |
The PM asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to inform South Korea and other epidemic-hit countries of Vietnam’s preventive measures.
Vietnamese citizens living or transiting China's epidemic-striken area can enter Vietnam via international gates only while competent authorities are requested to intensify patrol of border paths.
All flights from South Korea’s epidemic zones have to land at Van Don International Airport in the northern province of Quang Ninh, Phu Cat Airport in the central province of Binh Dinh, and Can Tho Airport in the southern city of Can Tho.
The ministry is also required to advise Vietnamese nationals in South Korea’s epidemic areas of Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk to closely follow the local authorities’ instruction on Covid-19 prevention and restrain from traveling.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Security needs to inform the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Defense, and related People’s Committees of the itineraries of people coming from or traveling across epidemic-hit areas for timely quarantine.
The Ministry of Defense is asked to prepare accommodation for the isolation while the Ministry of Health conducts the quarantine to avoid the spread of Covid-19.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is tasked to warn people of traveling to epidemic centers.
The PM’s decision was made following worsening situation in South Korea, Japan, Italy, and Iran.
As of February 26, the number of infected people in South Korea surpassed 1,100 with 11 deaths. Japan reported 825 cases, including 691 in Diamond Princess voyage, Italy with 322, and Iran 95, including 15 deaths.
Vietnam confirmed 16 infected cases and all of them have been cured. The country has reported no new infected cases over the past 12 days.
