In the latest round of measures intended to combat COVID-19, Vietnam has decided to temporarily suspend its unilateral visa exemption policy for citizens of Belarus, Russia and Japan. The new restrictions will come into effect from 21st March, according to a statement from the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Citizens from the three countries mentioned will still be permitted to enter Vietnam, provided they have the correct visa documents approved prior to arrival. Travellers holding diplomatic passports or official working permits remain eligible to enter the country without a visa. All arrivals will be subject to official medical screening measures, in accordance with the latest regulations for entry into Vietnam.
The news follows recent restrictions on VoA services for travellers visiting Vietnam. You can read more about this here. From 18th March onwards, all arrivals will require documentation confirming they are free from the COVID-19 virus. In addition, the Government has requested that all incoming travellers from the US, Europe and ASEAN countries are processed through a mandatory quarantine period.
Vietnam has been praised by the World Health Organization (WHO) for its swift and decisive response to containing the virus. The country has imposed screening measures, along with immediate lockdowns of individual provinces and tourism objects following the confirmation of new cases. The Ministries of Health, National Defense, Public Security and Transport are also planning to reduce and re-route inbound flights, in an effort to protect both travellers and residents in Vietnam from the escalating global situation.
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