VN suspends licensing inbound flights from UK, South Africa over new COVID-19 variants fear

VGP - The Ministry of Transport has requested the Civil Aviation Authority of Viet Nam (CAAV) to temporarily suspend the licensing of flights from countries and territories with new COVID-19 variants, firstly all those from the UK and South Africa.

January 14, 2021 7:45 AM GMT+7

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In a recent dispatch, the ministry also requested that Vietnamese and foreign airlines strictly comply with pandemic prevention and control regulations before, during, and after each flight.

Face masks are mandatory for drivers and customer service staff at ports, airports, and railway and bus stations, and on public transport.

The ministry tasked the Viet Nam Maritime Administration to coordinate with relevant localities to tightly monitor the activities of sailors and passengers at ports.

The ministry also asked its officials, staffs, and workers to fully comply with precautious measures in accordance with 5K message (in Vietnamese) Khau trang (facemask)- (Khu khuan) disinfection- (Khoang cach) distance- (Khong tu tap) no gathering – (Khai bao y te) health declaration.

All transport units will continue to ban unnecessary mass gatherings, while the organization of events that involve interaction with people from overseas must seek advice from competent medical agencies before proceeding.

Earlier, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc decided to temporarily suspend inbound flights from countries and territories, firstly the UK and South Africa, that have reported new COVID-19 variants.

As of 6:10 pm on January 13, Viet Nam confirmed 1,521 coronavirus infections, including 1,369 recovered cases and 35 fatalities./.

By Kim Anh