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No Risk of COVID-19 Transmission in Vietnam: CDC
02 March 2020 | Written by Chris Alexander

Vietnam has been officially removed from a list of countries in which coronavirus transmission remains a possibility. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the USA has taken Vietnam down from its travel guidance list, which warns international travellers of places where community transmission of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) poses a risk. The news underlines Vietnam’s recent assertion that the country remains a safe and attractive destination for travellers.

Echoing the statements of Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister, Tourism Minister and UNESCO officials, CDC confirmed that the country has taken the appropriate steps to curb the spread of the virus, effectively ending its spread in Vietnam. The Vietnamese Embassy in the U.S. confirmed in an update on its website on Thursday (27/2) following a teleconference with the U.S. Department of State, Department of Health and Human Services, and the CDC.

Vietnam has so far confirmed cases of COVID-19 in 16 patients, all of whom have since recovered, been discharged from hospital and returned home. There have been no new cases of the virus recorded in Vietnam since 13th February, suggesting that is has been successfully contained. Khanh Hoa, one of the three provinces hit by COVID-19, was officially declared free of the virus on Wednesday (26/2).

In recent weeks, Vietnam has stepped up its screening efforts at airports, hotels and public places, in order to better safeguard both visitors and residents against any possible cases of the new coronavirus. Starting 1st February, Vietnam suspended all flights to and from China and stopped granting tourist visas to Chinese nationals from affected areas. The government also imposed similar restrictions on arrivals from South Korea, following the recent cases reported there. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has commended Vietnam’s response to COVID-19, stating that measures taken from the very outset have effectively prevented the spread of the virus.

Vietnam continues to work closely with neighbouring governments, NGOs and international bodies such as the CDC and WHO, to ensure that international visitors can continue to enjoy their holidays with peace of mind.