Official Dispatch 920/BYT-DP 2022 giving comments on the Draft Plan for resumption of tourism in the new normal

To: The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

In response to the Official Dispatch No. 487/BVHTTDL-TCDL dated February 18, 2022, on receiving comments for the Draft Plan for resumption of tourism in the new normal, the Ministry of Health recommends the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism consider supplementing and amending the Draft Plan (attached to the Official Dispatch No. 487/BVHTTDL-TCDL dated February 18, 2022) in terms of COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control. To be specific:

1. The resumption of tourism in the new normal should be considered and based on the pandemic risk level assessment in each locality or area expected to provide the accommodation, sightseeing, entertainment services, etc. for tourists. At the same time, such locality must have a backup plan to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic when welcoming tourists, ensuring the safety of tourists and the community.

2. The Plan should prescribe and specify the responsibility of localities and facilities providing tourism and accommodation services, especially the responsibility of tourists in monitoring, managing and complying with pandemic prevention and control measures; the inspection and supervision of the testing, health declaration, complying with the 5K rules (Face mask - Disinfection - Safe distance - No gathering - Health declaration) by tourists in their first dates of entry (3 days for fully vaccinated persons and 7 days for unvaccinated persons or those who have not received full doses of vaccines).

3. Requirements for tourists entering Vietnam

3.1. a) Tourists aged 12 years or more:

- They have received full doses of COVID-19 vaccines, with the last dose given within 14 days and not more than 6 months up to the date of entry (having a vaccination certificate/vaccine passport which is recognized by Vietnam, or papers legalized/certified by competent authorities if such papers have not yet been recognized for direct use in Vietnam), or have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 (having a certificate of positive with SAR-COV-2 by single RT-PCR test or a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 or equivalent papers proving the recovery from COVID-19 granted within 6 months up to the date of entry by the competent authority of the country/territory where the test and treatment are carried out).

- High-risk persons: Persons aged 65 years or more, pregnant women, persons with underlying medical conditions (without being monitored or treated at health establishments) shall be subject to travel restrictions until the new recommendations are given. They must receive full doses of COVID-19 vaccines before entering Vietnam.

- They must have a negative SARS-CoV-2 test result (by RT-PCR/RT-LAMP method) within 72 hours before entering Vietnam which is certified by the competent authority of the country where the test is conducted.

- They must make health declarations before entering Vietnam and use the health declaration app (PC-COVID) during their stay in Vietnam. At the border gates, any suspected symptoms (such as cough, fever, sore throat, runny nose, muscle pain, loss/reduction of taste, etc.) should be immediately reported to the health authority at the border gates for medical measures according to regulations.

- They must strictly follow the 5K rule when transporting from the border gate of importation to their places of residence, avoid stopping, parking along the road or contacting the community. 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.

- Within the first 24 hours (after entering Vietnam), tourists must stay at their places of residence (without leaving there), and conduct tests for SARS-CoV-2. If the test result is negative, they shall self-monitor their health; if the test result is positive, they shall be subject to isolation and medical measures according to regulations.

- Within the first 72 hours after entering Vietnam, tourists should not leave their places of residence.

+ After 24 hours (after entering Vietnam), in case of having to leave the places of residence, they must conduct a test for SARS-CoV-2 (rapid antigen or PCR test) on a daily basis and have a negative test result within 72 hours (before leaving their places of residence), at the same time, continue to strictly self-monitor their health until the end of the 10^th day, and regularly comply with the 5K rules.

+ In case tourists do not leave their places of residence within 72 hours (after entering Vietnam): They shall only have to conduct tests for SARS-CoV-2 twice (one on the first date of entry and the second on the third date of entry). If the test results are both negative, tourists may leave their places of residence after 72 hours from the time of entering Vietnam, however, they still have to strictly self-monitor their health until the end of the 10^th day and regularly comply with the 5K rules.

3.2. Tourists under 12 years old (hereinafter referred to as children):

- A vaccination certificate is not required (including unvaccinated children or those who have not received full doses of COVID-19 vaccines), for children who enter Vietnam to travel with their parents or relatives (who meet requirements mentioned in Section 3.1). Vaccinated children or those who have been infected with SARS- CoV-2 shall take measures for pandemic prevention and control, and be subject to SARS-CoV- 2 tests (except for children under 2 years old) like those applicable to tourists aged 12 years or more as mentioned in Section 3.1.

- Unvaccinated children or those who have not received full doses of COVID-19 vaccines, or those who have never been infected with SARS-CoV-2 are not allowed to leave their places of residence within the first 24 hours (after entering Vietnam). After 24 hours from the time of entry, in case of having to leave the places of residence, they must conduct a test for SARS-CoV-2 (rapid antigen or PCR test) on a daily basis for 7 days (except for children under 2 years old) before leaving their places of residence, at the same time, continue to strictly self-monitor their health until the end of the 10^th day, and regularly comply with the 5K rules.

- Children under 2 years old shall not be subject to test and are allowed to participate in outdoor activities with their parents or relatives (those who meet requirements specified in Section 3.1), regardless they are vaccinated or have never been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Self-monitoring of health and complying with the prescribed pandemic prevention and control measures are required.

Please summarize and complete the Draft Plan for submission to the Government and the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control for decision.

Sincerely./.