Photo: Suc khoe & Doi song

Covid-19: Daily count falls to nearly 16,000, Omicron cases rise to 133

Vietnam has recorded 15,935 new coronavirus infections during the past 24 hours, a fall of 736 cases compared to the previous day, the Ministry of Health reported on January 21. Of the newly detected infections, 10,912 cases were diagnosed in the community, 34 tested positive upon returning from overseas, and the remainder were documented in the lockdown or quarantine areas.

Hanoi capital took the lead, registering 2,805 new cases, followed by Da Nang (964), Hai Phong (796), Hung Yen (685), Ben Tre (618), Thanh Hoa (509), and Quang Ngai (482). Like previous days, Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong, the two coronavirus hotspots in the south, continued to report as low as 227 and 95 new cases respectively.

Official data from the MoH show an additional 177 patients died of Covid-19 and underlying illnesses nationwide, an increase of 25 cases compared to the previous day.

Photo: Suc khoe & Doi song

Vietnam approves half dose for third Moderna vaccine shot

The Drug Administration of Vietnam says it is okay for those who have received two Moderna vaccine shots to receive the third one at half the normal dose.

Duong Thi Hong, deputy head of the General Department of Preventive Medicine, said Friday that the decision was made in accordance with recommendations from vaccine manufacturers and the Advisory Council for the Registration of Circulation of Drugs and Medicinal Ingredients. "Those who have received two Moderna Covid-19 vaccine shots will receive a third shot at half the normal dose (0.25 ml instead of 0.5 ml). Those who have been vaccinated with other Covid-19 vaccines would receive their third Moderna shot at the normal dose," said Hong, adding that the Ministry of Health would issue further guidelines on the decision.

The Zuellig pharmaceutical company, which imports the Moderna vaccine into Vietnam, had sent a document to the Drug Administration of Vietnam, proposing that people get their third shot at half the normal dose. A full Covid-19 vaccination course with the Moderna vaccine for those aged above 12 would comprise two doses totaling one ml and a third one of 0.25 ml.

Vietnam has received or procured over 209 million Covid-19 vaccine doses, including over 14 million Moderna doses. Ten million Moderna shots have been administered so far. The country has administered a total of 157 million Covid-19 vaccine doses to its adult population.

Photo: Zing

Vietnam Airlines resumes regular flights to Europe from Jan 24, to Russia from Jan 29

The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines on January 21 announced its plan to resume regular flights between Vietnam and Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. The first flights will depart right next week, from January 24. The final operation plan will depend on the approval by authorities and be updated by Vietnam Airlines to passengers in case of any changes.

The carrier plans to resume regular flights between Hanoi and Moscow with one flight a week, with the first scheduled to depart on January 29. From February 8, flights from Hanoi to Moscow will depart every Friday and vice versa on Saturday. For the remaining destinations in Europe, on January 24, Vietnam Airlines plans to make the first regular flight from Hanoi to London, which will transit through Paris and then be back to Hanoi.

On January 27, the airline will continue to operate the first regular flight between Hanoi and Frankfurt. From February 8, the flight schedule to the UK, France, and Germany will be fixed on two routes. The flights on the first route depart every Tuesday from Hanoi to London, via Frankfurt and back to Hanoi, while those on the second depart every Thursday from Hanoi to Paris, via Frankfurt, and back to Hanoi. The national flag carrier also advises passengers to find out information and make sure to meet immigration regulations at their destination such as medical declaration, Covid-19 testing, vaccination, or recovery status.

Photo: Bao Dan Toc

Tourism board proposes the complete opening of the market from May 1

A number of industry trade groups have called on the government to consider fully reopening the borders to foreign tourists from May 1 to revive the tourism sector. In a proposal sent to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Thursday, the Tourism Advisory Board, the Private Economic Development Research Board and Vietnam Business Forum said the government should remove all travel restrictions. They pointed out that Vietnam has among of the world’s Covid-19 vaccination rates and also experience in treating patients and handling new cases.

The three months until May would enable travel firms, hospitality businesses and carriers to make reopening plans and localities to complete the booster shot campaign. The number of foreign tourists to Vietnam last year plunged by 96 percent, and this had a severe impact on the hospitality and tourism industries. The PM this week ordered the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to create a safe and effective tourism reopening roadmap to help revive the industry.

In November the government started allowing in foreign tourists under the vaccine passport program and nearly 8,000 have arrived so far. But they are only allowed to come on package tours with limited itineraries. Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Quang Nam, Quang Ninh, and Binh Dinh provinces and HCMC and Da Nang City are the only localities they are allowed to visit.

Vietnam Covid-19 Updates (Jan. 20): Nearly 16,000 New Infections Recorded Vietnam has so far detected 108 Omicron cases returning from overseas in 10 localities, including 68 cases in Ho Chi Minh City and 27 cases ...

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