Official Dispatch 4697/UBND-KGVX 2021 Hanoi measures for COVID-19 prevention applicable to people on entry

On December 16, 2021, the Ministry of Health promulgated the Official Dispatch No. 10688/BYT-MT on COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control for people entering Vietnam. In order to implement and ensure the prevention and control of COVID-19 pandemic in Hanoi, Hanoi People’s Committee requests Departments, sectors, People’s Committees of districts and towns, and concerned units as follows:

1. Regarding people on entry

1.1. For people on entry who have received full doses of COVID-19 vaccines or have recovered from COVID-19

- Within the first 3 days after entering Vietnam: People on entry shall self-monitor their health at their places of residence (including houses, hotels, motels, resorts, representative agencies’ headquarters, dormitories, guest houses of production and business establishments, etc.) without contacting surrounding people or leaving their places of residence. People on entry shall actively contact and declare with local health agencies at their places of residence for monitoring and testing for SARS-CoV-2 as prescribed.

- People on entry shall be tested for SARS-CoV-2 on the 3^rd day after entering Vietnam. If the test result is negative, they shall continue to monitor their health until the end of the 14^th day from the entry date. In case the test result is positive, they shall be handled according to regulations.

1.2. For unvaccinated people on entry or those who have not received full doses of COVID-19 vaccines

- They shall be subject to 7-day quarantine at the places of residence from the date of entry; and shall be tested for SARS-CoV-2 on the 3^rd and 7^th days. If the test result is negative, they shall continue to monitor their health until the end of the 14^th day. In case the test result is positive, they shall be handled according to regulations.

- People on entry aged under 18, or people on entry aged 65 and older, pregnant women and people with underlying medical conditions (without being monitored or treated at health establishments): shall be quarantined with their parents/caregivers. The caregivers must be fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 and sign a commitment to voluntarily quarantine with people on entry after receiving explanations on the infection risks. They must strictly follow requirements on testing and regulations on COVID-19 prevention and control applicable to people on entry.

1.3. General requirements for people on entry

- People on entry must always follow the 5K messages, especially wear masks and keep a safe distance.

- The transport of people on entry from the border gates to their places of residence must be in accordance with the 5K messages, avoiding parking or stopping along the road. In cases of stopping and parking along the road, they must take measures to ensure safety for COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control.

- People on entry shall actively contact and declare with local health agencies at their places of residence for monitoring and testing for SARS-CoV-2 as prescribed, and strictly follow regulations provided in the Ministry of Health's Official Dispatch No. 10688/BYT-MT dated December 16, 2021.

2. The Department of Health shall

Direct and urge its affiliated units to implement the Ministry of Health’s Official Dispatch No. 10688/BYT-MT dated December 16, 2021, and summarize, propose to solve difficulties airing in the course of organizing the quarantine for people on entry, and report them to Hanoi People's Committee and the Ministry of Health for consideration and settlement. Provide guidance on measures for COVID-19 prevention and control, quarantine and testing for SARS-CoV-2 for people on entry.

3. The Public Security Department shall

Direct Public Security Offices of districts, towns and communes, wards and townships to coordinate with relevant units in strictly monitoring people on entry from airports, border gates to localities, ensuring security and safety in pandemic prevention and control.

4. The Northern Airports Authority shall

Direct its affiliated units to coordinate with Police and health sector, etc. in conducting inspection, reviewing, and national medical quarantine for people entering Vietnam through Noi Bai border gate in accordance with regulations. Any cases of entering Vietnam through Noi Bai border gate with sign of fever, cough, dyspnoea or abnormality, etc. should be immediately reported to Hanoi Center for Disease Control for coordination and handling according to regulations.

5. People’s Committees of districts and towns shall

- Take responsibility for monitoring, supervising the monitoring of health, quarantine at home or places of residence, and medical monitoring after a home-quarantine period for people mentioned in Section 1 of this Document, avoiding cross-infection and disease spread to the community.

- Direct the testing for SARS-CoV-2 for people specified in Section 1 of this Document. If the test result is positive, it must be handled in accordance with regulations.

- Timely report and propose to remove difficulties to the Municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

The COVID-19 prevention and control measures applicable to people on entry mentioned in this Official Dispatch shall be applied from January 01, 2022, except for those who have entered Vietnam and are undergoing quarantine or medical monitoring before the effective date of this Official Dispatch.

Hanoi People’s Committee hereby informs Departments, sectors, People’s Committees of districts and towns and concerned units for implementation./.