Hanoi (VNA) - Prime Minister NguyenXuan Phuc told the Ministry of Transportto continue to plan the resumption of more international flights, but in a“controlled” manner.

He made theremarks during a virtual meeting on September 18 with localities on COVID-19, as the country currently has plans to restartroutine flights to six destinations in Asia – Cambodia, Laos, Japan, the Republic of Korea,China and Taiwan.

TheVietnamese Government leader asked that the frequency of the flights should beincreased, including commercial flights to bring in foreign experts andinvestors or to repatriate Vietnamese citizens.

The detailedflight plan should be submitted to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister ofForeign Affairs Pham BinhMinh as well as Deputy Prime Minister VuDuc Dam, Chairman of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Preventionand Control, for approval, PM Phuc said.

He notedthat there should be plans in place to quickly receive passengers at airportsto avoid risks of infection from overcrowding.

The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Public Securitywere asked to handle applications for entry from foreign investors and expertsfaster and further streamline procedures to make it easier for them to get intoVietnam, while still maintaining health measures.

The Governmentleader also asked for a clearer and more transparent process for experts andinvestors as many businesses are currently still in the dark about thespecifics or which agency is handling which procedure.

Given thatthe infection cases and deaths continued to rise across the globe, all localitiesand sectors must be always on guard, especially in managing arrivals fromoverseas into Vietnam, to avoid community infections during the initialstage of reopening, PM Phuc demanded.

Thequarantine facilities must be frequently inspected, especially in terms oftheir health protocols and hygiene.

PM Phucsaid that foreign arrivals on short-term business or diplomatic trips to Vietnam,who must have produced negative proof of coronavirus tests upon entry and areexempt from mandatory 14-day quarantine, must be asked to refrain from usingentertainment services such as karaoke venues and bars or attendingfestivals or other forms of large gatherings.

The Ministry of Health was told to improve COVID-19 testing and proposed forms of testing at border gatesor airports, as well as better its disease prevention protocols for entriesinto Vietnam.

Takinglessons from Da Nang, PM Phucsaid it was very important to review and ensure anti-pandemic control inmedical facilities.

The healthsector was asked to improve treatment regimes, continue to research and developCOVID-19 vaccines, and keep up international cooperation, especially withcountries who are getting results from clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines.

The Ministryof Information and Communications was told to work with the Ministry of Healthto set up multilanguage hotlines so that foreigners could get quick access tomedical services and avoid preventable virus exposure to the community.

While mostsocio-economic activities had resumed “with even faster pace than before”, itwas important to remain vigilant and avoid the return of outbreaks, PM Phucsaid, citing the lesson of 99 days of no domestic cases before the fresh wave –with Da Nang cityas the epicentre – started in late July.

Masks wouldcontinue to be enforced in public, while unnecessary large gatherings should beavoided, the Government leader said.

At themeeting, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Ngo VanQuy said that the city had gone 30 days without community infectionsand was determined to keep up socio-economic development while ensuring publichealth.

To preparefor upcoming foreign arrivals, Hanoi had designated 14hotels – including upscale ones like Crown Plaza, Sofitel and theIntercontinental – with a capacity of 2,110 rooms ready to be used as paidquarantine facilities./.