Hanoi (VNA) - Foreigners entering Vietnam on a short-term working trip may not be subjectto 14-day quarantine but there will be a number of conditions attached, according to new guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health on September 1.

The new guidelines apply to foreigninvestors, experts, highly skilled workers, business managers and theirfamilies who are allowed to travel to the country since borders were closed inMarch.

It also includes other arrivals that are in agreement with their origin countrieson a case by case basis.

Short-term trips are defined as no longer than 14 days, according to theguidelines.

Ministries, agencies, and People’s Committees of cities and provinces canconsider at their discretion inviting foreign experts and guests on diplomaticmissions or business trips to Vietnam without having to quarantine them butCOVID-19 regulations must still be rigorously observed to preventcross-infections and spread to the community, the guidelines read.

Those who come into contact with these foreign visitors during their entry andbusiness in Vietnam are also amenable to the guidelines, and are expected toself-monitor their health.

Once they develop symptoms frequently associated with COVID-19 like fever,coughing, sore throat or breathing difficulties, they should immediately notifylocal health authorities.

The accommodation for the foreign visitors must satisfy the requirements forcentralised quarantine facilities and voluntary paid quarantine facilities setout earlier in March.

Foreign visitors must possess international health coverage (or one provided bythe host/inviter) and a declaration indicating they would pay for their owntreatment if they contracted coronavirus.

Foreign visitors must be present in Vietnam one day earlier than their workingschedule for health protocols to be conducted.

All expenses for isolation, transportation, and testing for COVID-19 arecovered by the host. The fees will be waived for those entering on diplomaticmissions or official purposes (except for the quarantine expenses at hotels asdesired).

After 14 days from the date of entry, if experts and visitors on diplomatic orofficial trips would like to continue to stay in Vietnam and their coronavirustests are negative, they could continue to work normally without beingquarantined.

According to the Ministry of Health, prior to the entries of foreign expertsinto Vietnam, a plan needs to be developed covering their work arrangements,accommodation, transport modes, and other COVID-19 prevention measures duringtheir contacts with other people.

Forexperts who would only participate in meetings, sign contracts and agreements,the host should prioritise meeting venues and accommodation in cities andprovinces having or lying near border gates, to minimise the risks of havingthe visitors travelling through many localities into the mainland, which mightcomplicate prevention efforts.

Foreign experts must test negative for SARS-CoV-2 with real time-PCR techniqueby certified labs in their countries 3-5 days prior to the date of entry toVietnam.

Entry and exit points must be rearranged to make separate lanes for experts,avoiding contact with other people.

The experts must produce the negative tests at entry time, comply with COVID-19measures such as health declarations, body temperature checks and screenings.

They will also be asked to install and use Bluezone, Vietnam’s contact tracingapp available on both Android and iOS platforms, during their stay in thecountry.

Foreigners are asked to comply with Vietnamese Government’s anti-COVID-19measures and guidelines.

Theymust frequently carry out personal hygiene, including washing hands with soapor hand sanitiser (especially before meetings, before and after meals),refraining from shaking hand and not sharing personal effects such as cups,bottles, or handkerchiefs.

They cannot leave their designated accommodation facility, and are asked tofollow the scheduled agenda, meetings, and field trips (if any).

Those coming into contact with the foreign guests can continue to worknormally, but should avoid in-person gatherings or meetings with others in thetwo weeks since the last contact and should monitor their own health./.