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Daily Covid caseload rises to 3,646, over 1,700 patients recover

Vietnam has detected 3,635 locally acquired coronavirus cases and 11 imported cases in 50 cities and provinces across the country over the past 24 hours, an increase of 612 cases compared to the previous day, the Ministry of Health said in its coronavirus update on October 20. As many as 1,810 cases were recorded in the community through random testing or test screening.

Ho Chi Minh City, the largest coronavirus hotspot in Vietnam, topped all affected cities and provinces in infection numbers, registering 1,347 new cases. It was followed by Binh Duong with 492 new cases, Dong Nai 305, An Giang 194, and Soc Trang 100, all in the south

Notably, the virus is recurring in the north with outbreaks evolving in a complicated manner in Phu Tho, Ha Nam, and Bac Ninh provinces that recorded dozens of new cases each. The virus is also spreading rapidly in the Central Highlands region as Gia Lai and Dak Lak provinces detected 93 and 77 new cases respectively.

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Travel firms in Binh Thuan permitted to reopen from October 24

Travel companies in the southern central province of Binh Thuan have been permitted to welcome tourists from October 24. The provincial People’s Committee on October 20 issued a document on the organization of tourism activities while continuing Covid-19 prevention and control measures.

Apart from giving the green light to travel firms, it also allowed the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to hold the first program welcoming tourists back to Binh Thuan in the “new normal” period and convene a meeting with the province’s tourism association.

The People’s Committee assigned the department to work with the Department of Health, relevant departments and sectors, and the administrations of localities to assess Covid-19 safety levels and announce the eligible tourism companies. The tourism department was also told to ensure that accommodation facilities, travel businesses, and tourist attractions comply with anti-pandemic rules.

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Ministries asked to facilitate exit, entry by Vietnamese, foreigners

Several ministries have been asked to facilitate Vietnamese people and foreigners’ exit from and entry into the country. In a document issued by the Government Office conveying the request made by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, the Ministry of Health was told to promptly overhaul the existing guidelines or issue new ones on testing, quarantine, and health monitoring to create favorable conditions for Vietnamese people to return to the homeland, and for foreign entrepreneurs, experts, and hi-tech workers to enter the country safely.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was demanded to coordinate with the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Ministry of Health to quickly issue detailed instructions so that Vietnamese people and foreigners who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 in the country can easily go abroad.

The Deputy PM also requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work with the Ministries of Public Security; Health; Culture, Sports and Tourism; Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs; and relevant ministries and sectors to soon reach consensus on regulations related to visa and epidemiological control for foreigners entering Vietnam in the new context.

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Vietnam Airlines plans to operate nearly 40 domestic routes

Vietnam Airlines is anticipated to operate roughly 40 routes nationwide in a bid to meet the travel demand of passengers after several localities eased post-pandemic travel restrictions. The national flag carrier is expected to officially open ticket sales on October 20 immediately after receiving permission from local authorities.

Compared to the pilot period, several domestic air routes have been resumed in a bid to connect with new destinations, including Con Dao, Dien Bien, Buon Ma Thuot, Pleiku, and Lam Dong. The frequency of flight routes is set to be gradually increased in order to meet the market demand. As a result, Vietnam Airlines is expected to operate over 90 daily flights starting from October 21 and increase the figure to nearly 120 flights from the end of October to November.

On the major routes between Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang, Vietnam Airlines plans to operate two flights per day, while Pacific Airlines will operate one flight per day. On other local routes, Vietnam Airlines will reopen five routes between Da Nang and Hai Phong, Buon Ma Thuot, Nha Trang, Da Lat, and Can Tho from mid-November. The remaining routes will subsequently be operated by VASCO, including routes between Hanoi-Dien Bien, Ho Chi Minh City-Con Dao, Ca Mau-Rach Gia, and Can Tho-Con Dao.

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