HCMC – After a long time of closure due to the resurgence of Covid-19, tourists from other parts of the country can now travel to the northern province of Quang Ninh as the provincial government has reopened a number of tourist sites, including the picturesque Halong Bay, but certain restrictions apply.
According to a decision on the resumption of some socioeconomic activities in the province, the provincial government required that all people traveling from Covid-19-hit areas to the province must be placed under quarantine at centralized centers and cover all fees incurred during the quarantine period. Meanwhile, those from other localities will just have to make health declarations.
Tourists on cruise ships visiting Halong Bay must not exceed half of their capacity, while those on cruise ships offering overnight stays in the bay, which are allowed to serve at their full capacity, must not hold large gatherings in public places in the province.
Conventions, seminars, wedding parties and cultural and sports events have also been allowed but anti-virus measures must be applied. Cinemas, karaoke and massage parlors, and bars will continue to remain shut.
The province has yet to allow the resumption of interprovincial passenger transport services but has permitted vehicles transporting workers, cargo and materials for production with sufficient documents on the cargo’s origin, people’s identification and health declarations.
The provincial government assigned the Department of Health to coordinate with the Department of Transport and other relevant agencies to review the pandemic prevention and control process at the Van Don International Airport.
At a recent meeting with the Government and the national steering committee for Covid-19 infection prevention and control, Quang Ninh Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Hanh said the province would spend at least VND500 billion buying Covid-19 vaccines for local residents. To have the amount, the province will cut 10% of regular expenditures, minimize funds for asset purchases, meetings, training courses and visits, and mobilize money from other sources.
The Covid-19 outbreak has heavily hit the province’s tourism sector. In the first quarter of the year, Quang Ninh welcomed only 700,000 tourists, well below the target of 3.6 million.
In related news, Vietnam Airlines has plans to resume flights to the Van Don International Airport from today, March 3. Until March 17, the airline will operate a flight per week on Wednesdays to the airport.
From March 18 to December 31, the frequency will be raised to three flights a week on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Flights will depart from the Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCMC at 1 p.m. and from Van Don at 3:45 p.m.
By Dao Loan
