Vietnam to Ban Entry of Tourists From UK, Schengen Nations

(Bloomberg) -- Vietnam is suspending tourist visas for travelers who have been in the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland and Schengen countries 14 days prior to their planned arrival starting Sunday at noon because of the novel coronavirus outbreak, according to a statement on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website.

The ban also includes those who “come from” these regions, the statement said, without further explanation.

The government is also suspending the issuance of visas on arrivals to travelers from all countries. Diplomatic and business travelers are excluded from the travel ban, which will last 30 days, but face health checks and possible quarantines, the statement said. The decision follows Vietnam’s suspension of visa waivers for nine European countries.

The Schengen area comprises 26 European countries that allows travel without papers across most of the bloc.

Vietnam Airlines announced on its website today that it will not carry passengers on return flights to Vietnam from London, Paris and Frankfurt beginning Sunday. Flights scheduled to depart those cities Saturday will land at Van Don and Can Tho airports, where passengers will be quarantined.

In Ho Chi Minh City’s central District One, popular among tourists, authorities ordered the closing of cinemas, massage salons, bars, karaoke bars, beer clubs and discotheques from 6p.m. Saturday, Tuoi Tre newspaper reported, citing an order from the local government.

The moves come as Vietnam confirmed six new infection cases today, bringing the tally to 53, including 16 patients that were recovered, according to the health ministry.

To contact the reporters on this story: Nguyen Xuan Quynh in Hanoi at xnguyen20@bloomberg.net;Mai Ngoc Chau in Ho Chi Minh City at cmai9@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: John Boudreau at jboudreau3@bloomberg.net

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