Hanoi (VNA) - Arrivals entering Vietnam via all border gates will no longerhave to fill and submit health declaration forms from April 27, theMinistry of Health announced.

Theministry sent an urgent document to the People's Committee of provinces andcities that have medical quarantine activities to temporarily stop requiringarrivals to make health declarations. 

Theyinclude Hanoi, Hai Phong, Lao Cai, Lang Son, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Da Nang,Kon Tum, Khanh Hoa, Dong Nai, Ho Chi Minh City, An Giang, Tay Ninh, BinhThuan, Thua Thien-Hue, Dien Bien, Tien Giang, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Can Tho,Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Thanh Hoa, Long An, Dak Nong, Lam Dong, Ba Ria-Vung Tau,Phu Yen, Kien Giang, Lai Chau, Nghe An, Dong Thap, Nam Dinh, Binh Phuoc, SonLa, Ca Mau, Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Thai Binh, Ninh Binh, Ha Tinh, Gia Lai, Dak Lak,Binh Duong, Tra Vinh and Vinh Long.

Theministry said vaccinations against COVID-19 have proved effective with theSARS-CoV-2 variants that are currently circulating. The numbers of newinfections and deaths have recently dropped across the globe.

InVietnam, the pandemic has been temporarily put under control with highvaccination coverage, the ministry said.

Based onthe pandemic situation and the Government Decree 89/2018/ND-CP regulatingthe implementation of the Law on infectious disease prevention and controlregarding border health quarantine, the Ministry of Health asked the People'sCommittees of localities to guide agencies to temporarily cancel therequirement to make health declarations for all arrivals from April 27.

Theyare instructed to continue monitoring arrivals' health at border gates andproactively update COVID-19 prevention and control recommendations in linewith the real conditions.

Thedropping of this measure is in response to recent reports of long waitingtime and congestion at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCM City due tothe rising number of flight passengers with the country's reopening and theupcoming four-day public holiday April 30-May 1.

Theministry said it will continue to update and provide information relating tothe pandemic inside and outside the country to have proper prevention andcontrol solutions.

Thenumber of new infections in Vietnam has reduced significantly. The countryrecorded 8,431 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday. 

Vietnamhas so far administered more than 213 million doses of vaccines to date./.