The Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control convened a meeting Wednesday morning to analyze and evaluate the epidemic situation in Europe as well as Viet Nam’s current measures and preparations for new developments of the epidemic. 

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, head of the Steering Commitee for COVID-19
Prevention and Control presides over the Committee's meeting
in Ha Noi on March 11. Photo: VGP

Mandatory health declaration 

Members of the Committee agreed on the need to tighten border control and all incoming travelers, including Vietnamese and foreigners shall have to declare their medical status.

Incoming travelers found not to provide accurate information shall be strictly fined in accordance with the current regulations.

Foreign nationals entering Viet Nam shall have to comply with international and Vietnamese laws. If they fail to follow regulations on mandatory health declaration and disease control shall be subject to administrative sanctions.

In case their offences inflict serious consequences to communities, they shall face criminal prosecution in Viet Nam.

Wearing facemasks 

The members also agreed that wearing facemasks is mandatory all passengers throughout flights of Viet Nam’s airlines and during completion of entry procedures. For foreign airlines, the members strongly encourage them to do the same.

For travelers transiting in Viet Nam, the Committee demanded international airports to arrange designated areas for them while waiting for connecting flights.

Suspected cases shall be banned from entry. All other passengers can only enter Viet Nam if they follow mandatory health declaration regulations.

Not quarantining all travelers from Europe

The Government has temporarily halted visa exemption program for citizens from 8 European countries, namely Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Spain since March 12.

Along with the above move, the Committee said we only isolate high-risk travelers who have been to epidemic-hit areas or in close contact with people having travel record to the epidemic-hit areas.

The Committee tasked the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to define areas and clusters affected by the COVID-19 epidemic and report to competent authorities for consideration and decision./.