{"id":6772,"date":"2021-04-29T11:25:12","date_gmt":"2021-04-29T03:25:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/?p=6772"},"modified":"2022-03-11T11:22:59","modified_gmt":"2022-03-11T03:22:59","slug":"saigon-covid-19-alerts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/saigon-covid-19-alerts\/","title":{"rendered":"Saigon On High Alert Due To COVID-19, Phu Quoc Offers Cash For Reporting Illegal Returnees"},"content":{"rendered":"

Saigon and Phu Quoc raise COVID-19 alerts<\/h2>\n
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After a woman sailing into Vietnam from Cambodia via boat had been reported, Saigon authorities have increased the city’s COVID-19 risk alerts to the highest level.<\/p>\n

Phu Quoc<\/a>, Vietnam’s largest island city, is also facing a high risk of potential COVID-19 infections. Concerned about a spike in illegal entries, local authorities are offering prizes – aka ‘hot cash’ – to citizens who report illegal immigrants, returnees or visitors.<\/p>\n

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Ho Chi Minh City reactivates all COVID-19 safety measures<\/h3>\n
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\"COVID-19
\nImage credit: Thanh Nien<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

According to Thanh Nien<\/a><\/em>, Vietnam has recorded a total number of 8,000 illegal immigrants since January this year. Because illegal immigrants do not go through health screenings, they can carry viruses into the community.<\/p>\n

While Saigon hasn’t been seeing any COVID-19 community cases since February, its authorities have expressed concerns about a potential outbreak.<\/p>\n

“Ho Chi Minh City should raise its COVID-19 alerts to the highest level. Let’s treat the city as if it has already had COVID-19 community cases and reactivate all preventive measures,” Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long<\/strong> told Thanh Nien<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n

\"COVID-19
\nImage credit: Thanh Nien<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The mandatory preventive measures include increasing the city’s COVID-19 testing capacity and training healthcare professionals on collecting samples. Local authorities will also prepare for citywide social distancing, mass quarantines, and large-scale COVID-19 treatment.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, citizens should do their part by wearing masks in public and reporting illegal immigrants.<\/p>\n

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Phu Quoc offers incentives to those who report illegal immigrants<\/h3>\n
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\"COVID-19
\nImage credit: Tuoi Tre<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s famous tourist city near Cambodia is also raising COVID-19 alarms, reports Tuoi<\/a> Tre<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n

After Cambodia lifted its lockdown order on 28th April 2021, authorities were concerned that illegal visitors may trespass without health screening, and potentially trigger COVID-19 outbreaks. To beef up border control, authorities have set up 3 rounds of barriers and increased the patrol force.<\/p>\n

“Authorities have devised incentive schemes for citizens who report illegal returnees. We’ll give hot cash and skip unnecessary procedures,” said city leader Le Minh Thanh<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Vietnam enhances safety measures to battle COVID-19<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Even though Vietnam has made great strides in its handling of multiple waves of COVID-19, let’s not forget that the risks of potential outbreaks are still high.<\/p>\n

To avoid another wave of COVID-19 and subsequent economic downturns, let’s act responsibly.<\/p>\n

Remember to wear masks in public, avoid large gatherings, and alert local authorities of suspicious cases of illegal entry.<\/p>\n

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