National carrier Vietnam Airlines has reduced the number of domestic routes to eight from 35 in compliance with the prime minister’s directive to fight the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic.

From March 28 to April 15, the airline will only operate eight routes across the Southeast Asian country.

Crew members on all of its flights will be equipped with specialized protective clothing and tested for COVID-19.

The carrier will help affected passengers change their flight and itinerary or have their fares refunded in line with regulations.

Earlier on March 19, the national carrier suspended all international flights till April 30.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the carrier has sprayed disinfectant on all international flights and services carrying suspected cases following landing.

From 0:00 on March 25, all domestic flights have been fumigated after landing in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and all aircraft are sterilized once again at the end of each day.

All passengers are required to fill out health declaration forms, be screened for their body temperature before boarding, and wear face masks aboard.

Other airlines in Vietnam, namely Vietjet Air, Jetstar Pacific, and Bamboo Airways have also suspended all international flights and lowered the number of domestic services because of the epidemic.

The novel coronavirus, which first emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019, has infected over 664,200 people and killed more than 30,800 globally as of Sunday afternoon, according to Ministry of Health statistics.

Vietnam has announced 179 COVID-19 patients so far, with 21 having been discharged from the hospital by Saturday.

No fatality related to the disease has been reported in the country to date.

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