Passengers are subjected to a penalty of VND 1-3 million (US$ 43.6-130) if they fail to wear face mask during flights.

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The latest regulation is part of the Civil Aviation Authority of Viet Nam’s directive on COVID-19 prevention and control measures on airplanes especially during the New Year, Lunar New Year of Metal Ox and the spring Festival 2021.

The move aims to ensure safety for passengers amid complicated evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic across the globe and rising travel demands during upcoming festivals. 

Airlines are responsible for informing their passengers about  disease prevention regulations (face coverings and medical registration) at check-in counters and on-board radios in accordance with point a, Item 1, Article 8, Decree 162/2018/ND-CP, dated November 30, 2018 on administrative penalties for civil aviation offences. 

Earlier, the Ha Noi-HCMC route was named as the world’s second busiest after RoK’s Jeju-Seoul, according to British aviation analysis company OAG.

Viet Nam has so far confirmed 1,402 Covid-19 cases, including 1,246 recoveries and 35 deaths./.