Vietnam suspends visa waiver for citizens of eight European countries

The Vietnamese Government will halt visa-free travel policy for citizens of eight European countries as from 0:00 on March 12, amid growing concern about the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Foreign visitors offered with free medical masks at Hoa Lo Prison relic in Hanoi. (Photo: NDO/Giang Nam)
Foreign visitors offered with free medical masks at Hoa Lo Prison relic in Hanoi. (Photo: NDO/Giang Nam)

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Vietnam has informed the decision to the countries, namely Denmark, Norway, Finland, the UK, Germany, France and Spain, and will continue its close coordination with the international community in the epidemic combat.

Earlier, the country suspended its visa-free policy for citizens of the Republic of Korea and Italy.

Vietnam has recorded 35 COVID-19 infection cases so far, of them 16 were discharged from hospital after their complete recovery, while the remainder are under treatment.

The 35th case, who is a 29-year-old Vietnamese woman, was confirmed by the Ministry of Health on March 11.

The new patient is a saleswoman of the Dien May Xanh electronics supermarket in Hai Chau district, the central city of Da Nang, according to the ministry.

She had direct contact with two British nationals, who have been identified as the 22nd and 23rd COVID-19 patients in Vietnam, in the supermarket at about 18:00-19:00 on March 4.

The woman was confirmed positive for SARS-CoV-2 at 6:30 on March 11. She is being treated at Da Nang Hospital.

Also on March 11, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Health Nguyen Tien Hong said the two above-said British tourists are under monitoring at Da Nang Hospital and in stable health.