Vietnam airports and airlines simultaneously tightened up the Covid-19 prevention and control given a recent string of outbreaks that have stricken 10 cities and provinces across the country.

A representative of national carrier Vietnam Airlines on February 3 said that the airline has further conducted disinfection on all of its aircraft upon reaching destinations.

Besides, the air carriers have also implemented social distancing measures on flights where middle seats are kept vacant and no meal would be served during flights. Attendants on flights must wear full-body protective suits.

Tightening many quarantine rounds at airports is necessary given the increasingly serious evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Le Thanh

Body temperature checks and mask wearing are also compulsory for both crew members and ground personnel, according to the aviation representative.

Vietnam Airlines also applied social distancing during check-in procedures and disinfected planes before boarding. Alcohol wipes are provided during flights, with even earphones disinfected after each flight.

Especially, all passengers and flight attendants must be aware of following the "5K" principles. 5K (in Vietnamese) means "Khau trang" (face mask) - "Khu khuan" (disinfection) - "Khoang cach" (distance) - "Khong tu tap" (no gatherings) - "Khai bao y te" (health declaration).

In light of the new Covid-19 infections, several airports have had their employees tested for Covid-19. Ho Chi Minh's Tan Son Nhat Airport has been performing Covid-19 tests on all its staff since late last week until February 7. Lien Khuong Airport in Lam Dong province also took Covid-19 test samples from all its employees on February 2 and 3. Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport is asking all its 3,200 employees to take Covid-19 test.

Since the new Covid-19 wave hit Vietnam in late January, new coronavirus infections have been confirmed daily, mostly in northern provinces. Hanoi has recorded 21 community cases and Covid-19 regulations are being enforced.

Anti-Covid-19 rule offenders’ identity would be make public, Hanoi warns

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Chu Xuan Dung stressed at a meeting on February 3 that defying masking regulations in public, inaccurately reporting health status or evading quarantine are just some actions that could result in heavy fines or even a criminal charges.

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Chu Xuan Dung speaks at the meeting. Photo: Kinhtedothi.vn

The city's authorities hope the fines will discourage people from going out unless for reasons deemed essential in order to curb the spread of the Covid-19.

The authorities will strictly handle cases defying face mask rules by making public the offenders’ names, ages and work places.

At the meeting, the Standing Vice Chairman of Hoan Kiem district People's Committee Dinh Hong Phong said the weekend pedestrian street would be suspended from February 5 until another notice from the municipal authorities.

Meanwhile, in a document issued by Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Chu Ngoc Anh on measures to fight the Covid-19 pandemic in the context that some coronavirus virus carriers have complicated travel history, the municipal government has encouraged its local residents to refrain from going out and not to gather in crowds.