Vietnam considers resuming int’l flights with limited frequency

However, these flights must be monitored carefully and regulations of social distancing ought to be carried out.

According to the Ministry of Transport, Vietnam's aviation industry suffers serious revenue loss because of Covid-19 impacts with a year-on-year decrease of 46 percent. It is scheduled that the sector will recover at the end of 2021.

The Ministry also said that from April 1, the number of passengers has accounted for 1-2 percent compared to before the pandemic.

Revenue and profit of the Airports Corporation of Vietnam have seen a drop of 24 percent while turnover of the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation has seen a year-on-year decrease of 60 percent.

Aviation is recovering as quickly as it can after the country has relaxed regulations of social distancing. In six days including four-day holidays and two next days, local airlines have transported 230,000 passengers.

Averagely, an airline transported 39,000 passengers, equaling to 38 percent of normal days of 2019.

Dinh Viet Thang, director of Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, said that local market and international market will recover by the middle of 2021 and the end of 2021 respectively.

The ministry has decided to lift all social distancing restrictions on transportation and limitations on the number of passengers in passenger transportation (bus, taxi, coach, train, plane, and ships) from May 7^th since the country has recorded no new community transmission case during the past 21 days.

However, the ministry underlined the necessity to observe COVID-19 preventive precautions including mask wearing at public spaces (airports, stations, ports, bus stations) and public transport vehicles during travel times, medical registration, regular hand washing with sanitizer, as well as temperature checks. 

In addition, passengers are recommended to limit contacts, drinking and eating on public vehicles. Transport vehicles must be disinfected before and after travel.

On Wednesday, the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control said , Vietnam would continue strict border control to prevent importation of new cases as it is the premise for easing domestic estrictions in favor ofư reopening the economy.

From such perspective, diplomatic passport holders, foreign experts and businessmen must be subject to mandatory 14-day quarantine with flexible forms upon their arrival to Vietnam.

Source: SGGP