Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang

According to Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang, the request was made in accordance with the International Health Regulations (IHR).

On February 26, the Steering Committee for COVID-19 Epidemic Prevention and Control urged competent authorities to tighten control of border gates amid complicated developments of the epidemic in several countries, including South Korea.

All Vietnamese nationals returning home from South Korea must be quarantined in accordance with the current regulations, the Committee ordered.

The Committee, established on January 30, also tasked local authorities to monitor health of those who entered Viet Nam over the last 14 days.

Earlier on February 25, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc signed a directive asking the foreign ministry to promptly inform South Korea, other countries and territories about Viet Nam’s measures to contain spread of the COVID-19 epidemic to the Southeast Asian country.

South Korea reported another daily spike in the number of new COVID-19 infections on Thursday, sending the Northeast Asian country’s total infections to 1,595, according to Yonhap News Agency.

Vietnam reports 31 new coronavirus suspects

As of February 26, 31 more people have been categorised as suffering from suspected coronavirus infection due to symptoms such as fevers or coughing after arriving in Vietnam from outbreak areas.

As of February 24, only one new suspected case was reported. However, this number increased by 30 the following day. Most of the suspected cases are from outbreak areas and have a fever or coughing symptoms. They are being monitored at quarantine locations or medical facilities.

In total, 5,675 people are being monitored for having close contact with suspected cases or arriving in Vietnam from outbreak areas. Two new suspected cases were reported in Hanoi on February 25. The capital is also monitoring 23 people from South Korea and 21 people from other outbreak areas.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said they would still have to face more challenges as the outbreak enters a new phase. Plans are currently being drawn up to monitor and quarantine South Korean tourists and Vietnamese returning from South Korea. Tightened management is being encouraged to avoid similar cases like in Vinh Phuc Province.

"All state agencies are working hard to prevent the outbreak. The public must stay calm and follow trust-worthy sources of information," he said.

Hanoi is preparing to reopen schools. The city hasn't reported any confirmed cases. 78 people were suspected and only one is still being monitored. The city has issued sanitation guidance to teachers, parents and pupils. The 5th disinfection will be carried out this weekend.

1,320 people have been tested for the virus in Vietnam. All 16 confirmed cases in Vietnam have been cured and no new cases have been reported since February 13.

Khanh Hoa Province declared Coronavirus-free

The Ministry of Health has declared the southern central province of Khanh Hoa to be coronavirus-fee after no new patients were reported for 39 days.

The declaration for the province which is home to the tourist city of Nha Trang is in line with the Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases.

However, the ministry has asked the province to continue virus prevention and control as the epidemic remains a global concern.

The first coronavirus case in Khanh Hoa was recorded on January 31 after a hotel receptionist was tested positive for the virus. She met with two Chinese visitors, who were later confirmed to be Vietnam's first cases of coronavirus infection on January 17.

Following the treatment at a local hospital, she then recovered and was discharged.

Since then, the province has found no new Covid-19 cases.

Vietnam has recorded 16 coronavirus patients, but all of them have fully recovered and discharged from hospital.

Thai Binh to quarantine everyone returns from Covid-19 outbreak areas

The northern province of Thai Binh will quarantine everyone, including Vietnamese, returning from coronavirus-affected areas starting from February 26.

They will temporarily stop issuing permits to foreign workers to work in Thai Binh, especially to those that come from outbreak areas.

All cases returning to Vietnam from outbreak areas will be quarantined for 14 days at Thai Binh Military School. Those that attempt to avoid quarantining will be forced to comply. Thai Binh authorities will also cancel the series of events to celebrate 130th anniversary of the establishment of the province as well as cultural events and festivals.

As of February 26, 16 people have returned to Thai Binh from South Korea and are being monitored. Thai Binh has a total of 24 suspected cases but all of them have tested negative.

There are about 2,600 to 2,700 Thai Binh people that are working in Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do in South Korea, not to mention students and freelancers. Thai Binh also has a large number of people from South Korea and China.

The provincial authorities have built several scenarios for different situations. In case the number of people that must be quarantined spikes, the Thai Binh Military Command will turn their halls and barracks into quarantine areas for 1,000 to 1,200 people. Meals worth VND80,000 (USD3.50) per person per day will be provided.

Nguyen Hong Dien, party secretary of Thai Binh, asked state agencies to tighten monitoring over the travelling patterns to ensure that everyone that comes from or returns from outbreak areas will be quarantined.

Dtinews/VGP/Lao Dong

No Covid-19 case recorded in Vietnam so far

Since February 13, Vietnam has recorded no new Covid-19 infections.

7th Japan-Vietnam Festival postponed over COVID-19 fears

The 7th Japan – Vietnam Festival has been postponed due to fears over coronavirus, which is spreading around the world, according to Special Advisor to the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance Tsutomu Takebe.