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Vietnam temporarily suspends visa-free program for Koreans on virus fears

Luu Van Dat Friday | 02/28/2020 16:14

People suspected of being infected with Covid-19 speak with medical workers about testing in Daegu on Friday. PHOTO: KIM HYUN-TAE/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Vietnam will suspend visa-waiver program for all South Korean visitors starting Feb. 29 to prevent the spreading of coronavirus, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs To Anh Dung told Friday meeting in Hanoi.

The Vietnamese government has informed the plan to temporarily suspend the program under which Koreans have been able to stay in the Southeast Asian country for up to 15 days without a visa.

The move was expected to help limit negative impacts of the epidemic to the country’s social – economic development. This is a temporary measure, Dung said.

In recent days, the number of flights between Vietnam and South Korea has been declining sharply since domestic airlines considered suspending flights, said representative from the Ministry of Transport.  

Beside the latest measure, Vietnam has also banned the entry of visitors who have traveled to South Korea's city of Daegu and its adjacent North Gyeongsang Province.  

As of afternoon of Feb. 28, the world recorded 83,719 infected cases in 54 countries and territories. China recorded 78,824 cases in 31/31 provinces and cities. South Korea reported 2,337 cases with 13 deaths.

South Korea is currently the country with the fastest growth in infected cases outside of China, mainly in Daegu City and North Gyeongsang Province. The Korean government has raised the alert level to the highest level.

► Coronavirus costs Ho Chi Minh City $40 million in tourism revenues

► Coronavirus may wipe more than $1 billion off Vietnam’s aviation sector

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