Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has demanded the re-testing of all foreign experts who have entered the country over the past time following the death of a Japanese Covid-19 patient whose transmission source remains unknown.

Vietnam tightens control over imported Covid-19 sources. Photo: Hoang Trieu/Nguoilaodong

The request was made after a Japanese citizen working for MITSUI & CO. VIETNAM LTD was found dead at a hotel in Hanoi and posthumously tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 on February 13.

“We have yet concluded foreign experts as the source of infection but obviously there are many issues we must be aware of,” Phuc has said in a statement.

Also in the request, Phuc asked local authorities to tighten over the enforcement of precautionary measures at lodging facilities and quarantine centers.

Vietnam has suspended the entry of all foreigners, including those with visa exemption certificates, since March 22, 2020, until further notice to limit the spread of Covid-19.

This policy has very limited exemptions for people on diplomatic, official duty, and special cases, including experts, business managers, foreign investors, and high-tech workers of businesses involved in important projects as determined by the government of Vietnam. Family reunification is not one of the exemptions.

All of them and their relatives are required to undergo quarantine upon arrival.

All immigrants need to show negative test result certificate and be put under medical surveillance for at least 28 days.

Currently, Vietnam halts all inbound international flights except for repatriation flights and those carrying the people who are eligible to enter the country.

On January 5, the government announced to suspend all flights from countries detecting the UK and South Africa coronavirus variants.

The Government of Vietnam currently provides an automatic extension of temporary stay through March 31, 2021 for foreigners who entered Vietnam or after March 1, 2020 with a visa exemption certificate, e-visa, or tourist visa and intend to depart Vietnam by March 31, 2021. Individuals in this qualifying group exit Vietnam during this period would not have to apply for an extension of stay.