Vietnam is still not open to international visitors, while it is yet to be decided when the Southeast Asian country will start welcoming foreign tourists again, according to the National Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

The committee convened a meeting on Thursday to discuss multiple matters, including the management of international flight crew and when to restart the country’s international tourism.

The COVID-19 epidemic is currently under control in Vietnam but it is still very complicated and serious in many other countries across the world, according to Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long.

If for some reasons, an imported COVID-19 patient is able to enter the country without being detected, that person will spread the disease to the community, Long warned.

“Therefore, it is necessary to continue strictly managing all arrivals in accordance with regulations, the official asserted.

The country has been repatriating Vietnamese citizens stranded overseas due to the pandemic over the past weeks.

The central government recently lifted some restrictions to allow foreign experts who are needed for the implementation of major projects to enter the country.

The Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of National Defense agreed that authorities must continue to take strict quarantine measures to prevent transmission.

All flight crew members must also follow the same regulations, the COVID-19 committee said.

The health ministry has been tasked with examining all hotels that are used as quarantine facilities for international flight crew members to promptly deal with any issue or violation.

Regarding the recovery of the tourism sector, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Trinh Thi Thuy stated that many programs have been launched to boost domestic travel.

So far, the initiatives have shown positive results, she said.

However, all members of the National Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control agreed at the meeting that it is not the time for Vietnam to restart its international tourism.

The committee has yet to decide on when the country can start welcoming foreign tourists again.

The tourism ministry is expected to work with the administration in the southern province of Kien Giang on a detailed plan on allowing international inbound tourists on Phu Quoc Island.

The plan will be submitted to the national COVID-19 committee for consideration and approval.

Only visitors from countries where the pandemic has been kept under control may be allowed to arrive on the island, while local authorities must take measures to ensure the safety of residents and domestic tourists.

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