Official Dispatch 10688/BYT-MT 2021 on COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control for people entering Vietnam

Until the end of December 15, 2021, Vietnam's COVID-19 vaccination coverage has reached a high level (96.4% of people aged 18 years and over have got one dose and 76.5% have received full two doses). According to the direction of the Prime Minister, by December 31, 2021, to basically complete the vaccination for 100% of people aged 18 and over, and speed up the vaccination schedule for children.

Implementing the Government’s Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP dated October 11, 2021 promulgating the Interim Regulation on “safe and flexible adaptation and effective control over the COVID-19 pandemic”; Official Dispatch No. 7581/VPCP-KGVX dated October 19, 2021 of the Government Office notifying the directions of Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam; Official Dispatch No. 7937/VPCP-QHQT dated October 29, 2021 of the Government Office on applying “Vaccine passports” and measures to facilitate foreign experts entering Vietnam for economic development; Notice No. 334/TB-VPCP dated December 10, 2021 of the Government Office announcing the conclusion of Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh on the plan to resume commercial and international flights; the Ministry of Health (Standing Agency of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control) guides the implementation of COVID-19 prevention and control measures for people entering Vietnam (except for those entering Vietnam to work for a short term and other cases on entry as prescribed by the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, the Ministry of Health and as defined in bilateral cooperation agreements) as follows:

1. General requirements of pandemic prevention and control for persons entering Vietnam

- Have a negative test result for SARS-CoV-2 before entry¹ (except for children under the age of 2).

- Make health declaration before entry; When entering Vietnam, install and use the health declaration application (PC-COVID) to make health declaration and monitor the health in accordance with Vietnam's regulations (Diplomatic and official guests are encouraged to use this application).

- In case the persons on entry that are Vietnamese citizens, overseas Vietnamese and their relatives (including their spouses and children) have not been vaccinated or have not received full doses of COVID-19 vaccines, they shall be vaccinated free in their quarantine period (if eligible).

- For diplomatic delegations entering Vietnam at the invitation of high-ranking leaders: To comply with Scheme on welcoming diplomatic delegations.

- Pay testing costs, expenses for quarantine, medical examination and treatment and other related expenses (if any) in Covid-19 pandemic prevention and control according to the Resolution No. 16/NQ-CP dated February 08, 2021 of the Government prescribing the expenses for medical quarantine, medical examination and treatment and some specific regulations in COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control.

2. Requirements of pandemic prevention and control for specific cases

2.1. For people entering Vietnam who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have recovered from COVID-19²

- Within the first 3 days from the date of entry: They shall self-monitor their health at their places of residence (including houses, hotels, hostels, resorts, headquarters of representative agencies, dormitories, guest houses of production and business establishments, etc.); They are not allowed to come into contact with others and to leave their accommodations.

- They shall be tested for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR technique on the third day, counting from the date of entry. If their test results for SARS-CoV-2 are negative, they shall continue to monitor their health until the end of 14 days from the date of entry; In case their test results are positive, handling procedures shall comply with regulations.

2.2. For people entering Vietnam who have not been vaccinated or have not received full doses of COVID-19 vaccine

- Comply with at-accommodations quarantine for 7 days from the date of entry; Get tested for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR technique on 3^rd and 7^th days. If their test results for SARS-CoV-2 are negative, they shall continue to monitor their health until the end of 14 days; In case their test results are positive, handling procedures shall comply with regulations.

- For people on entry that are persons under the age of 18 (hereinafter referred to as children), persons aged 65 years or older (hereinafter referred to as elderly), pregnant women, persons with underlying medical conditions (but are not required to be under monitoring and treatment at health establishments): They shall be quarantined with their parents/caregivers (hereinafter referred to as caregivers). Caregivers must receive full doses of COVID-19 vaccines or have recovered from COVID-19; sign a commitment to be voluntarily in quarantine after being given the explanation of risks of COVID-19 infection; and strictly comply with the requirements on testing and regulations on COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control like those applicable to persons on entry.

3. Other requirements of pandemic prevention and control

a) Requirements for transport of people on entry from border gates to accommodations

- People on entry shall comply with 5K Message during the course of movement from border gates to accommodations.

- Drivers of vehicles transporting people on entry shall restrict making stops or parking along the road; In special/emergency cases that must stop and park along the road, they must take measures to ensure safety for COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control.

b) Requirements for quarantine at accommodations as mentioned in Section 2.2 of this Official Dispatch: The quarantine shall comply with the Official Dispatch No. 5599/BYT-MT dated July 14, 2021 of the Ministry of Health on shortening the quarantine period, piloting at-home quarantine of F1 cases, managing the provision of treatment for COVID-19 patients; In case their accommodations do not meet the conditions for at-home quarantine, the persons subject to quarantine must comply with concentrated quarantine at hotels or other concentrated quarantine establishments (in accordance with local regulations) in a corresponding duration applicable to each subject specified in this Official Dispatch.

c) Requirements during the period of health monitoring: always comply with 5K regulations (wear masks, make health declaration, disinfect hands regularly, not go to crowded places, avoid gathering); In case there are symptoms of cough, fever, dyspnea, sore throat, etc., immediately notify the local health agencies for handling according to regulations.

d) In addition to requirements defined in this Official Dispatch, regulations on COVID-19 prevention and control specified in other relevant documents must be complied with.

dd) Their self-testing by SARS-CoV-2 antigen rapid test on the first day from the date of entry is encouraged; If their test results are a positive, immediately notify the local health agencies for handling according to regulations.

4. Inspection and recognition of vaccination certificates, certificates of recovery from COVID-19

- The inspection and recognition of vaccination certificates, certificates of recovery from COVID-19 abroad (or vaccine passports) shall comply with the guidance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

- The recognition and inspection of vaccination certificates, certificates of recovery from COVID-19 in Vietnam shall comply with the guidance of the Ministry of Health.

5. The People's Committees of provinces, ministries and sectors are required to direct the implementation of the contents mentioned in this Official Dispatch; ensure that the management and supervision of quarantine are strictly implemented, avoiding cross-infection and spread of the pandemic in community.

6. This Official Dispatch replaces the Official Dispatch No. 6288/BYT-MT dated August 04, 2021 of the Ministry of Health on shortening concentrated quarantine period for fully vaccinated entrants, Official Dispatch No. 5446/BYT-MT dated July 08, 2021, Official Dispatch No. 6670/BYT-MT dated August 16, 2021 of the Ministry of Health on quarantine applicable to diplomatic delegations, and Official Dispatch No. 7020/BYT-MT dated August 25, 2021 of the Ministry of Health on quarantine applicable to children for COVID-19 prevention and control. Based on the development of the pandemic, the duration and methods of quarantine shall be adjusted appropriately.

7. This Official Dispatch shall not apply to those who have entered Vietnam and are being in quarantine and health monitoring period in accordance with regulations before the date of issuance of this Official Dispatch.

8. Measures to prevent and control the COVID-19 pandemic for people entering Vietnam according to this Official Dispatch shall be carried out from January 01, 2022.

The Ministry of Health (the Standing Agency of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control) requests the People's Committees of provinces, ministries and sectors to direct units under their management to organize the implementation, ensuring the management, supervision of at-accommodations quarantine, strictly implementing this Official Dispatch, avoiding cross-infection and spread of the pandemic in community.

Sincerely./.

For the Minister

The Deputy Minister

Do Xuan Tuyen

-----------------

¹ Possessing a certificate of a negative SARS-CoV-2 test result (by RT-PCR/RT-LAMP technique) issued within 72 hours before entry by the competent agency of the country where the person on entry was tested.

² (i) A person on entry must possess a certificate of having received full doses of COVID-19 vaccines in accordance with guidance for each type of licensed vaccine or a vaccine passport that is recognized by Vietnam, or is legalized/confirmed by a competent agency, for papers having not been recognized for direct use in Vietnam (the last dose must be taken at least 14 days and no more than 12 months before the time of entry); or (ii) A person on entry who was infected with SARS-CoV-2 (having a certificate of positive test for SAR-COV-2 by RT-PCR method of single sample no more than 6 months up to the time of entry) is required to present a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 or equivalent papers confirming the recovery from COVID-19 issued by the competent agency of the country/territory where he/she was treated.