GOV'T HALTS VISA ISSUANCE TO FOREIGNERS TO STAUNCH COVID-19

The Government has decided to temporarily halt visa issuance to foreigners for 30 days, applicable since March 18.

This is the latest effort by the Government to staunch the COVID-19 pandemic which has spread swiftly across the world and caused serious consequences.

Foreigners enjoying visa-waiver program or overseas Vietnamese and their spouses and children having been granted with certificate of visa exemption shall only be allowed to enter Viet Nam if they can submit papers certifying they are not positive for the virus.

The aforesaid measure shall also be applied to foreigners who are experts, business managers, highly skilled workers upon arrival to Viet Nam.

All the above measures shall NOT be applicable to entrants for diplomatic or official purposes.

All entrants shall be medically checked and have to comply with the nation’s COVID-19 prevention and control measures.

Additional quarantine measures

In addition to the current quarantine measures, the Government has decided that all incoming travelers from the US, Europe and ASEAN countries shall be subject to centralized quarantine.

Competent authorities shall supervise and medically monitor those who are not subject to centralized quarantine during their mandatory isolation at place of residence.

The Government also requested cut of incoming flights from COVID-19 stricken areas to Viet Nam. The Ministry of Health, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Public Security, and Ministry of Transport shall decide on the parking areas for flights from the above areas.

The Ministry of Health was asked to conduct COVID-19 diagnosis for entrants at airports.

Facemasks wearing

Under the current regulations, from March 16, all passengers on outbound and inbound flights are required to wear masks during the flight and flight taxiing in the airport.

The mask wearing policy is also applicable at public places with possible crowd such as supermarkets, airports, stations, public transportations etc.

Source: VGP