Vietnam: Officials continue to enforce COVID-19 curbs as of Dec. 10; plan to remove isolation rules for short-term business visitors from South Korea /update 18

Event

Vietnam continues to enforce restrictions to stem the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as of Dec. 10. Inbound commercial flights remain suspended until further notice. Chartered flights may operate on a case-by-case basis to transport Vietnamese citizens and foreign nationals who are allowed to enter the country. Officials require people who can still enter Vietnam to test negative for COVID-19 within five days before the travel date, isolate at designated facilities for at least five days, and test for COVID-19 twice at the quarantine sites, with limited exemptions.

Additionally, authorities plan to remove quarantine requirements for business travelers from South Korea who would be in Vietnam for less than 14 days beginning Jan. 1, 2021. The visitor must test negative for COVID-19 within five days before the trip, undergo additional tests upon arrival, and adhere to a pre-agreed itinerary while in Vietnam.

The central government is allowing public transport to operate nationwide with precautions in place. Safeguards include requiring passengers to wear facemasks, complete health declaration forms before the trips, and frequently sanitize their hands. However, areas with COVID-19 activity may implement additional transport restrictions, such as reduced operating hours or vehicle capacity.

Parts of Vietnam have relaxed controls due to decreased local COVID-19 activity, though several areas have maintained some restrictions. The central government has given provincial or city authorities discretion to modify curbs to local conditions. Tourism activities are ongoing in various areas, including Hoi An and Phu Yen Province. Precautions in tourism sites typically require visitors and workers to wear facemasks, maintain physical distancing, and clean their hands regularly. Additionally, in various locations, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, people have to wear facemasks when in public; violators may face fines of VND 100,000-300,000 (USD 4-13). Central and local officials may reintroduce or implement additional controls if new COVID-19 activity increases further.

Travel Restrictions
Foreigners remain banned from entering Vietnam, except foreign experts, investors, managers, skilled workers, and resident diplomats, among others. While short-term trips to Vietnam for leisure purposes remain banned, officials have started to reissue electronic visas to foreign nationals from 80 locations, including Australia, mainland China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, the UK, and the US.

Vietnamese and Japanese authorities allow reciprocal travel arrangements for business and official purposes. While the passengers will be exempt from quarantine requirements, they must test for COVID-19 before the trips and upon arriving in the destination country and have to comply with a pre-agreed travel itinerary.

Context

COVID-19 is a viral respiratory disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV). Symptoms occur 1-14 days following exposure (average of 3-7 days). These symptoms include fever, fatigue, cough, difficulty breathing, sometimes worsening to pneumonia and kidney failure - especially in those with underlying medical conditions. On March 11, the WHO declared the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments.

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.

Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)