PM orders suspending inbound flights from UK, South Africa due to SARS-CoV-2 variant

The PM assigned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work closely with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry Transport to make a list of countries and territories where applicable.

If any case with the new virus variant is detected, the Ministries of Health, Public Security, and National Defense, and local administrations concerned were requested to quickly track down and immediately apply necessary measures to prevent the virus from spreading to the community.

The Government leader also asked cities and provinces to strengthen inspection, detection and handling of illegal entries in their authorized localities. He warned against the complacency and asked for strict implementation of epidemic prevention measures, including wearing face masks, avoiding large gatherings, and limiting the organization of festivals.

Epidemic prevention measures have been tightened after the new variant VOC202012/01, which is said to be more rapidly transmissible than the SARS-CoV-2 virus, was reported in many countries and territories worldwide.

Indeed, the VOC202012/01, said to originate from the United Kingdom, has so far spread to at least 34 countries and territories around the globe. More than 40 countries have imposed bans and restrictions on travel from the UK and countries that have recorded the new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Vietnam also recorded the first patient who had carried the new variant. The 45-year-old patient of Tra Vinh province, southern Vietnam, returned to the homeland from the UK on December 22, 2020. She is currently in stable health condition and closely monitored by doctors.

Currently Vietnam has only received foreign diplomats, business executive and highly skilled workers to come and work in the country.

In addition, domestic airlines have conducted flights to repatriate Vietnamese citizens stranded overseas due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.