Visitors to be charged for COVID-19 treatment

March 13, 2020 | 21:55

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As the COVID-19 is detected in new areas across the globe, Vietnam will have to strengthen prevention measures and begin charging treatment fees for visitors, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said today.

visitors to be charged for covid 19 treatment

COVID-19 treatment will not be free for foreign visitors

At a meeting today (March 13), Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc confirmed strengthening solutions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and collecting health declaration from travellers because the epidemic has been detected in new areas over the world.

Thereby, the PM asked to limit the number of flights from COVID-19 infected areas to Vietnam, as well as boost immigration checks. In crowded places, the PM asked people to wear facemasks and authorities to provide masks for immigrants.

The government does not charge treatment fee for local people, however, foreign visitors will be charged for COVID-19 treatment while other fees like isolation and testing costs will be free, PM Phuc said. The Ministry of Health will establish a fund for preventing COVID-19.

The PM also recommended overseas students not to return to Vietnam for treatment because they will be quarantined upon return. Besides, management at border areas will also have to be tightened to mitigate illegal immigration into the country. The aviation sector is still promoted to ensure economic and trade activities.

Several days ago, Singapore started charging visitors around S$6,000-8,000 ($4,250-5,670) for COVID-19 treatment. Singapore’s new measures were announced on late Monday and came into effect on March 7, when two symptomatic Indonesian travellers arrived in Singapore.

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