Six Covid-19 patients, including four from Lang Son province and two from Bac Giang, were reported to board flight No.7198 from Danang to Noi Bai airport in Hanoi on July 24, informed Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung.

Six Covid-19 patients were reported boarding the flight No.7198 from Danang to Noi Bai Airport on July 24.

The airplane that landed at Noi Bai airport was filled with passengers who did not wear face masks, Mr. Chung said at a meeting on August 5.

Mr. Chung added the priority is to trace all remaining passengers on the flight.

Mr. Chung referred to flight No.VN0054 from England to Hanoi on March 2, on which 19 out of 21 passengers in the business class (C Class) were infected with Covid-19. Whereas on this flight, the Covid-19 patients flew in the economy class, all passengers on board were at risk of infection.

According to Mr. Chung, there were around 200 passengers on the flight. The mayor requested the Department of Health to immediately contact all passengers to put them in quarantine.

Under this new circumstance, Mr. Chung requested local authorities to resume operation of all quarantine facilities in Hanoi.

With Hanoi’s third Covid-19 case reported on August 5 linked with the outbreak in Danang, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Ngo Van Quy requested tighter measures to monitor those returning from this city.

Instead of advising them to limit contact and stay at home for 14 days, those returning from Danang are now requested to strictly self-isolate at home with the supervision of local authorities, Mr. Quy said.

Mr. Quy added this is necessary as some are still going to work or going out even with a fever.

At the meeting, Director of Hanoi’s Department of Health Nguyen Khac Hien said the city is expected to receive up to 1,000 people returning from Danang in the coming days. They are stranded in the beach city after all flights and transportation services to and from Danang were suspended.

Mr. Hien said they have stayed in Danang for a long time and therefore, imply high infection risk, requiring compulsory quarantine in 14 days. Mayor Chung agreed with this suggestion and requested the authorities to work on the plan accordingly.