The Vietnamese Ministries of Transport and Foreign Affairs have been requested to make a specific plan for each international commercial flight, and gradually increase the flight frequency to countries with low risk of Covid-19 infection to bring experts, investors, high-skilled workers back to Vietnam, and overseas Vietnamese.

Vietnam will increase flight frequency to some countries. Photo: Vietjet Air

This is the conclusion of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at an government teleconference on Covid-19 prevention on September 11.

To prepare for the reopening of international air routes, the prime minister asked relevant agencies to issue safety guidance, especially on testing incoming people. International visitors on entry must observe regulations on Covid-19 prevention. In the event an infection is confirmed, the case must be quickly traced and isolated.

Each flight and flight schedules should be carefully considered and approved by Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh and Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, who will also decide which category of passengers should be prioritized for entry. Detailed plans should be set up to evacuate the airports, conduct immigration control, testing and quarantine. 

The incoming passengers must install the health declaration application NCOVI and pay the cost of testing and isolation. Foreigners entering Vietnam for business trips of less than 14 days will comply with Ministry of Health regulations and will be exempt from undergoing 14 days of concentrated isolation.

Localities are ordered to take measures to prevent the spread of the disease, ensure safety for the political and socio-economic events, and boost international trade exchange in the new normal. They should be willing to create favorable conditions to accelerate the attraction of investment, especially from major partners.

Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho and the surrounding provinces decide on accommodation facilities to host and provide paid quarantine to at least 10,000 people on entry and even more given the gradual increase of arrivals in the coming time, strictly monitor isolation and prevent cross-infection.

According to the prime minister's assessment, up to now, the pandemic has basically been controlled as no new local infection cases have been confirmed for 10 consecutive days; Covid-19-hit localities have basically returned to normal. However, measures to contain the disease still needs to be strictly enforced, especially when Vietnam resumes international flights.

According to the prime minister, travel and trade within the country should not be restricted. Returnees from localities affected by Covid-19 should not undergo coronavirus tests, but only people with symptoms of cough and fever.

In addition, the prime minister emphasized that ministries need to facilitate with the entry of experts, business managers, and high-skilled laborers.

The Ministries of National Defense and Public Security and localities should continue to control and strictly handle illegal entry, the PM requested.