The Embassy of Vietnam in Canada has responded to queries regarding whether the Vietnamese Government will arrange a commercial flight to fly its citizens home and the embassy’s protection measures in the coming time.

People in Ottawa wear face masks (Photo: Xinhua)

Charge d'Affaire of the embassy Nguyen Huong Tra said the embassy is making a list of citizens who wish to return home and submit to relevant agencies, in line with guidelines by the Prime Minister. 

Priority will be given to people under 18, the elderly, those with illness and special needs, she noted, adding flights bringing citizens home will only be launched upon permission of the Government.

Furthermore, they will be arranged by relevant agencies together with diplomatic representative offices and domestic airlines, in a suitable manner for Vietnam’s quarantine capacity.

The Vietnamese embassy over the time has taken concerted citizen protection measures, she said. 

It has required the Global Affairs Canada and the country's association of universities and colleges to offer accommodation in dormitories for Vietnamese students until the end of the school term.

Local agencies have been asked to launch medical support and create optimal conditions for the extension of residence permits of Vietnamese expats. 

The Vietnamese embassy has also set up a volunteer network to assist students facing troubles and provide medical examination and treatment in Vietnamese in case of emergency, Tra added.

In the coming time, the office will closely join hands with relevant agencies at home and in Canada to continue ensuring legitimate interests of the Vietnamese citizens, she affirmed. 

Vietnam is the Southeast Asian nation having the largest number of students in Canada, with more than 21,000.

As of 7pm on April 16 (local time), Canada had reported 30,092 COVID-19 cases, with 1,193 deaths.