Vietnam steps up Covid-19 prevention measures as travel season approaches

The request came due to the global situation remaining complicated, with the numbers of new cases and deaths still rising in many countries, and especially the widespread outbreaks in Vietnam’s neighbouring countries.

The ministry said that although Covid-19 is well contained at home, Vietnam faces a high risk from immigration and illegal entry.

At the same time, domestic travel is expected to surge during the four-day holiday from April 30 to May 2 to mark the 46th anniversary of southern liberation and national reunification, and Labour Day.

The ministry called on local authorities to restrict unnecessary events with mass gatherings, and in the case that such events should go head, strict measures must be taken in line with the Ministry of Health’s guidelines.

It also asked tourist sites and sports and entertainment facilities to open only when Covid-19 prevention measures are put in place.

In a related development, the Covid-19 risk level has been increased in Hanoi and the capital city’s authorities will take preventive measures so that the city can detect positive cases early and curb the virus quickly.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the municipal government decided to cancel fireworks planned for national reunification anniversary celebrations and increase efforts to detect illegal immigrants and enforce quarantine strictly.

On April 26, a Ministry of Health delegation led by Deputy Minister Nguyen Truong Son inspected Covid-19 prevention in An Giang Province, which borders Cambodia where a surge of new cases has forced the lockdown of Phnom Penh.

The province has set up nearly 200 checkpoints along the border where 1,500 soldiers will be on patrol around the clock.

According to the provincial government, due to the complicated situation in Cambodia, many Vietnamese people living there are expected to return home via border gates in the province, or even attempt illegal entry.

Therefore, the province asked the Ministry of Health to issues guidelines on requirements to declare an emergency so that a field hospital can be quickly built to deal with rising cases.

An Giang has also called on neighbouring provinces to be ready to support the province, as well as other provinces bordering Cambodia, in case the streams of Vietnamese people returning from Cambodia exceed their capacity.