Over 1,000 positive cases detected among 157,088 returnees from COVID-19 hotspots

The MoH assessed that the COVID-19 outbreak has been put under control in Viet Nam with positive signs. 

However, the country is coping with risks of disease transmission after HCMC, Binh Duong, Long An, and Dong Nai, the epicenters of COVID-19 relaxed restrictions, resulting in unexpected exodus of non-native residents and their unsupervised movement may cause disease transmission and safety risks for travellers. 

The ministry asked localities to tighten management of population mobility and entrants. 

Earlier, in a public telegram, the Government tasked provinces and cities to transport returnees who have no mean of transport, the elderly, pregnant women, and children if they wish to return to their hometowns. 

In the latest guidelines by the Ministry of Health, those who are fully vaccinated or have recovered from the virus should be allowed to isolate themselves at home for seven days and to be tested against COVID-19 on the first day when they return to their hometown.

Unvaccinated people have to comply with 14-day mandatory quarantine, have their health monitored in the next 14 days, and undergo COVID-19 tests on the first, seventh, and 14th days upon the date of arrival. 

All returnees are requested to comply with the ministry's 5K message. They have to immediately inform local health authorities if experiencing such symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, and loss of taste or smell./.

By Kim Loan