[ad_1]
HANOI: Vietnam plans to restart international commercial flights to and from six Asian cities starting in mid-September, state media reported on Thursday (September 3), ending months of coronavirus-related suspension after easing some restrictions on foreign business travelers.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) proposes to resume flights to Guangzhou, Seoul, Vientiane, Phnom Penh, Taipei and Tokyo, which would mean that some 5,000 travelers would arrive each week, reported the Giao Thong newspaper, run by the Ministry of Education. Transportation, citing the deputy of the CAAV. boss, Vo Huy Cuong.
LEE: Vietnam will buy the Russian COVID-19 vaccine
Those who arrive must still undergo a two-week quarantine, in accordance with the requirements of the Ministry of Health, unless the duration of their visit is less than 14 days. Vietnam has yet to reopen to tourists.
Vietnam seeks to reactivate its economic activities, especially tourism and transport, which have been seriously affected by travel restrictions.
READ: Vietnam Zoo turns to donations and grows food to survive COVID-19 pandemic
It halted flights from certain countries in late January before closing its borders in March to all except returning citizens and foreigners with special permission, as the coronavirus spread rapidly around the world.
Travel restrictions, along with strict quarantine, testing and contact tracing, have helped Vietnam keep its total infections at just 1,046 and 34 deaths and posted a 100-day streak of no national transmission.
The decision to resume flights is in contrast to that of several of its regional neighbors, which are suffering heavy losses from strict restrictions on foreign tourists and business travelers, including Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand.
READ: The pace of COVID-19 slows around the world except Southeast Asia, Eastern Mediterranean: WHO
The flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, its Pacific Airlines unit and low-cost carrier Vietjet Air will operate the flights and the number of incoming visitors will be limited, according to reports.
In July, Vietnam Airlines said it would lose 50 trillion dong ($ 2.16 billion) in revenue this year and could run into liquidity problems.
CHECK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments
Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
