HCMC – The Ministry of Health confirmed 2,175 new daily Covid cases today, May 9, down 93 cases day-on-day.
Hanoi had 601 cases, followed by Quang Ninh with 116, Phu Tho with 113 and Tuyen Quang with 107.
Nghe An and Yen Bai recorded 103 and 101 cases, respectively. Other provinces reported fewer than 100 cases each.
Nearly 1,600 patients fully recovered from Covid-19 today, sending the country’s total recoveries to over 9.3 million.
Meanwhile, one Covid death was reported in Bac Ninh.
The Private Economic Development Research Board has proposed scraping the regulation that foreign visitors entering Vietnam must show proof of a negative Covid-19 test as the regulation is affecting tourism.
The board proposed the Ministry of Health conduct rapid Covid tests on those showing symptoms such as cough and fever at border gates.
The requirement that foreigners must health insurance policy for Covid treatment was also proposed to be dropped.
According to the Private Economic Development Research Board, if these regulations are not amended, foreign tourists will choose other destinations with less restrictive conditions.
The board also suggested the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Public Security improve visa and e-visa policies, specifically offering the visa waiver policy for citizens of more countries, such as the United States, India, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and increasing the visa waiver period from 15 to 30 days for citizens of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Northern European countries.
At present, upon arrival in Vietnam, visitors need to show proof of either a negative PCR Covid-19 test taken 72 hours prior to departure or a rapid antigen test taken 24 hours before departure.
If they are not tested before entry, they must take a test within 24 hours after entry. If they test negative for the coronavirus, they can freely move around.
In early March this year, the Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board proposed the Government drop the Covid testing requirement for foreigners. However, the Ministry of Health dropped only the quarantine requirement from April 27.
