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Vietnam will temporarily suspend entry for tourists who travel from Schengen countries or Britain, or have visited or transited through these areas within 14 days preceding their expected entry to Vietnam, starting from mid-Sunday local time, according to the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The suspension will be in place for 30 days, not applicable to those who arrive on diplomatic or official purposes, the ministry said in a statement on its website, adding that the country will also suspend visas upon arrival for all foreign nationals.
Foreigners who are experts, business managers, highly skilled workers entering Vietnam will be medically checked and quarantine shall be applied in accordance with the guidelines of the country's Ministry of Health, the statement said.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said on a government meeting Friday that all foreigners would have to pay treatment fees for COVID-19 and be exempted from quarantine and test costs, adding that border areas must be closely controlled to prevent travelers from epidemic-hit areas from entering Vietnam via a third country, Vietnam News Agency reported.
The prime minister also reiterated the view of not applying flight ban for aviation industry but ensuring normal economic and commercial activities.
Vietnam earlier halted visa waiver program for nationals of South Korea, Italy, Britain, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Spain and Sweden in a bid to curb the spread of the virus.
The country has so far confirmed 49 cases of COVID-19 infection, with 16 already discharged from hospital. It has reported 33 cases since March 6, over 10 of whom are foreign visitors or have traveled back from overseas.
(CGTN)
