Starting from March 15, national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines would only operate empty flights from London, Paris and Frankfurt back to Vietnam, and maintains flights from Vietnam to Europe, local media reported.

Illustratiave photo.

The move is part of the airline’s efforts to prevent the spread of Covid-19 epidemic, said the airline.

Meanwhile, Vietnam Airlines’ flights on March 14 from London, Paris and Frankfurt to Vietnam are business as usual, but they would be rerouted to land in Van Don and Can Tho airports instead of Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat airports, with passengers being subject to mandatory quarantine.

Passengers affected by changes in flight schedules between and Vietnam and Europe could apply for a new flight date or new flight route for free, said the airline.

Previously, Vietnam Airlines announced it would temporarily reduce the number of flights between Vietnam and Europe by 14 flights per week. The routes include those between Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City and London/Paris/Frankfurt.

With growing uncertainties surrounding the Covid-19 epidemic in Europe, Bamboo Airways has delayed its first flight to Praha from March 29 to April 26.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 14 released a statement saying from March 15, foreign nationals will be temporarily refused entry to Vietnam if in the previous 14 days they have been to the United Kingdom, or any Schengen country, including in transit. Granting visa on arrival will also be temporarily suspended. This restriction will be in place for 30 days and not applied to those bearing diplomatic or official passports.