Vietnam’s Ministry of Health has proposed the government apply quarantine measures to all entrants who are holders of diplomatic and official passports, and experts even though they possess certificates affirming they are negative with the novel coronavirus.

Diplomatic passport holders would be subject to quarantine in Vietnam

Special cases need to get approval from the Ministries of Health, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Transport.

The proposal was made by Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long at a government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Phap luat Thanh pho Ho Chinh Minh and Hai Quan newspapers reported. Details of the quarantine were not mentioned.

At present foreign diplomats and experts are not required to undergo mass quarantine but conduct self-isolation at home or indicated hotels during 14 days after their arrival in Vietnam, with supervision by their missions and organizations.

Deputy Minister Long also proposed the Ministry of Transport inform international airlines to operate empty flights to Vietnam and take foreign citizens back, except for special cases.

He proposed PM Phuc lengthen the national isolation period by 15 days, until the end of April to take full advantage of social distancing and contain the spread of the virus.

The government has implemented a two-week isolation period nationwide, asking people to stay at home, except for emergency and going out to buy essential goods. Non-essential businesses are also required to shut down.

Gathering of more than two persons in public places would not be allowed. Hanoi, especially has started to fine people who go out without necessity.

Wearing facial masks in public is also mandatory in Vietnam.

Long predicted that the country’s infections would not see a surge thanks to the national stay-at-home period.

Vietnam has reported 245 infected cases, of which 90 have fully recovered.

(Hanoitimes clarifies sources of information and the existing quarantine requirement for foreign diplomats and experts in the fourth paragraph).