Local authorities in the nation’s southwestern region have swiftly implemented drastic measures aimed at tightly controlling people entering cities and provinces from places that have high infection rates of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in order to ensure pandemic prevention in border areas.

Border guards on duty at a border gate in Dong Thap province

This action comes after Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc requesting on December 27 that functional agencies quickly trace individuals who came into close contact with patient No. 1,440.

Most notably, patient No. 1,440 is a resident of Vinh Long province in southern Vietnam who had illegally crossed the Cambodia-Vietnam border before being diagnosed with the SARS-CoV-2 virus upon detection in the country.

As a result of this latest COVID-19 case, efforts to halt illegal cross-border migration in the southwestern region are being ramped up and tightened more than ever.

Additional COVID-19 monitoring and control stations have been set up, with the number now up to 41 stations along with 300 soldiers placed on duty in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang 24 hours a day.

A similar situation has occurred in An Giang and Dong Thap provinces which both share a border with Cambodia, with the primary aim to ensure that there is not any illegal entry of any people into the country.

Border guards have also asked people to wear face masks and use hand sanitiser as part of efforts to curb the potential spread of COVID-19.

Furthermore, communication work is being stepped up to raise public awareness of the importance of medical declaration.