Vietnam: Son Loi (Vinh Phuc province) placed under quarantine due to coronavirus February 13 /update 7

Event

On Thursday, February 13, officials announced that the city of Son Loi (Vinh Phuc province) 40 km (25 mi) north of Hanoi was placed under quarantine after six confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) were recorded. Authorities stated that as the measures will be implemented for 20 days, the restriction is expected to remain in place until Wednesday, March 4, impacting around 10,000 individuals in the area. 

Additional visa restrictions have been put in place for non-Vietnamese nationals attempting to enter the country as of Tuesday, February 11. Visas will not be issued for all non-Vietnamese nationals arriving from mainland China, excluding Hong Kong and Macau, or who stayed in China withing 14 days of their arrival in Vietnam. Officials have also suspended festivals and sporting events throughout the country as a precaution. 

Travel restrictions to China remain in place as of Tuesday, with all passenger trains to and from China suspended indefinitely. The government has suspended issuing tourist visas to mainland Chinese citizens, as well Chinese citizens who are permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macau. Vietnam Airlines has also halted service to mainland China as a precaution.

To date, 16 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in Vietnam.

Further international spread of the  virus is to be expected over the coming days and weeks.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in 28 countries and territories worldwide. Virus screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On January 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is a "public health emergency of international concern."

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Potentially impacted travelers are advised to monitor the situation, confirm travel itineraries, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments. Individuals are advised to take precautionary measures to reduce their risk of contracting the virus:

• Avoid all contact with animals (dead or alive); avoid eating animal products that are undercooked; avoid all markets where animals are sold
• Avoid all close contact with people displaying symptoms of the disease (e.g. difficulties breathing)
• Frequently wash hands, wear a face mask
• Individuals within China developing symptoms of pneumonia are advised to seek medical attention, avoid contact with other people, and wash hands regularly
• Adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments
• Travelers returning from China developing symptoms of pneumonia are advised to call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to avoid spread of the disease.