Passengers have samples taken for COVID-19 testing right at airports

Passengers line up to wait for procedures to be carried out at Van Don airport in Quang Ninh province (Photo: VNA) 

Hanoi (VNA) – Since March 15, aside from having
their body temperature checked, all people coming from Europe to Vietnam must
also have their samples taken for COVID-19 testing right at airports before
moving to quarantine centres.

The same measures are also applied to people
from the US although they have not been required to stay at ,
the (ACV) said, noting that the move was made
at the request of the national steering committee for prevention and
control.

The firm added passengers waiting to be screened
will be provided with free meals and drinking water at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat
international airports.

The ACV’s data show a sharp increase in the
number of people returning from Europe, where the novel coronavirus is
spreading fast, over the past few days. On March 15 alone, Noi Bai
International Airport in Hanoi received nearly 1,000 passengers coming from
countries affected by COVID-19.

In response to the surge, police, customs and
health forces at Noi Bai have been increased by threefold compared to normal
days to handle passengers from coronavirus-hit areas.

However, waiting is inevitable during peak hours
at airports, the ACV said, adding that the waiting time also depends on the
capacity of quarantine facilities and the coordination of the committees for
COVID-19 prevention and control of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Therefore, passengers are asked to comply with
regulations to ensure safety for themselves and assist the Vietnamese
Government and people in the fight against the pandemic./.