Vietnam closes popular tourist destinations to fight Covid-19 pandemic

The authorities of nothern Quang Ninh province has decided to stop receiving tourists in Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay, Yen Tu Site, Co To Tourist Area from March 12-26, 2020. 

No permit to stay on cruises in Ha Long Bay is to be granted from March 12, 2020.

Current vehicles and tourists at the above-mentioned destinations may continue with their itinerary but are advised to finish the journey soon.

The decision aimed at preventing Covid-19 spread and ensuring safety for tourists and the local community in Quang Ninh as the situation surrounding the outbreak of the novel coronavirus has become increasingly complicated.

It came after Quang Ninh province confirmed four new cases of whom all are foreign visitors at VN0054 flight.

In Quang Nam province, Hoi An old town decided to temporarily stop selling tickets for sightseeing and walking streets in the ancient town from March 12-31, 2020 and suspend the business activities of bars in Minh An ward from March 12, 2020.

Cu Lao Cham island also stopped receiving visitors from March 10, 2020 while all tours by boat and baskets in Cam Thanh commune were temporarily suspended in Bay Mau coconut forest and cultural relic, the Thuan Tinh and Do river until the new move is announced.

Quang Ngai province stopped allowing foreigners to Ly Son island, that will be implemented until Covid-19 is under control.

The new move from Vietnam authorities came after Vietnam had announced additional 23 cases from last Friday of which most were foreign visitors. Globally, the number of cases of Covid-19 outside China has increased 13-fold and the number of affected countries has tripled in the past two weeks.

“WHO has been assessing this outbreak around the clock and we are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction. We have therefore made the assessment that Covid-19 can be characterized as a pandemic,” World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at yesterday's briefing in Geneva.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has issued a directive on further strengthening the prevention and control of Covid-19 outbreak in the new situation. 

The prime minister requires authorities to continue with the spirit of "fighting against epidemic like fighting against the enemy" and to ready to sacrifice economic benefits to best protect the health and lives of the people.

The government of Vietnam has temporarily suspended visa exemption for citizens from Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, the UK, France, Germany, and Spain from March 12, 2020 amid complicated Covid-19 spreading.

In late January, Vietnam has decided to stop issuing visas for Chinese tourists and closed border gates with the country. Then, the country has decided to suspend the visa exemption for Korean nationals starting on February 29 and do the same for Italians.

Vietnam Airlines is reducing the frequency of flights between Vietnam and Europe starting from March 25, 2020, one of its latest efforts in contributing to the containment of Covid-19. It has also suspended China – Vietnam and South Korea – Vietnam routes.