HCMC – The Ministry of Transport has approved a pilot plan to resume interprovincial road passenger transport services from October 13 to 20, with tough restrictions on passengers and drivers.
Passengers traveling from areas with an extremely high risk or high risk of pandemic transmission to areas with a lower risk must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 with the final dose administered at least two weeks before departure, or have recovered from the disease within the last six months, according to a decision issued by the ministry on October 10.
Besides, they have to test negative for Covid-19 through an RT-PCR test 72 hours before departure, strictly comply with anti-Covid protocols and make health declarations, the local media reported.
As for passengers traveling from areas with a low risk or ones safe from Covid-19 to others with a higher risk, they must follow Covid safety protocols, make health declarations and show a negative Covid PCR or rapid antigen test certificate taken within 72 hours before their departure.
There are similar requirements for drivers and driving assistants, including being fully vaccinated or having recovered from Covid within the last six months and showing a negative Covid PCR or rapid antigen test certificate conducted within 72 hours before their departure.
If they develop symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath, they must quickly inform the local medical centers about their health condition.
During the pilot period, drivers must operate their vehicles on the pre-determined route and only stop for rest, or pick up and drop off passengers at locations as listed and announced by the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam.
The ministry asked passenger transport firms and cooperatives to map out detailed plans to resume transport services in a safe and effective manner and publicize transport restrictions among passengers and drivers.
In addition, these firms shall operate at 5%-30% of their capacity, while their passenger coaches must have distanced seats.
