The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has proposed that the Ministry of Transport extend the closure of Van Don International Airport in the northern province of Quang Ninh until early March as part of efforts to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Van Don Airport remains closed until March 

The agency has therefore suggested that the airport should remain shut until March 3, as opposed to the initial schedule of reopening from February 21.

In line with the proposal, all staff members of Van Don Airport will continue to self-isolate at home until March 2.

The closure of the airport is in line with the Prime Minister’s Directive No 05/CT-TTg, as well as documents issued by the Ministry and the provincial People’s Committee relating to COVID-19 prevention and control.

This comes after Quang Ninh province recorded an additional 10 new COVID-19 cases after a local man who works at Van Don International Airport tested positive for the virus. The patients are mainly made up of his colleagues from the airport.

Approximately 160 employees working at the airport have tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 twice, although they will be tested once more before the airport is permitted to reopen.