Vietnam temporarily closes southwestern borders
Vietnam temporarily closes southwestern borders
Vietnam will close its southwestern borders with Laos and Cambodia from April 1 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, officials said.
People wear masks to avoid coronavirus infection in Vientiane, Laos. Vietnam will suspend all entries at border gates and roads along the borders with Laos and Cambodia from April 1 - PHOTO: VNA
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“In the context of the unpredictably developing Covid-19 in the region and around the world, to ensure the efficiency of the nation’s preventive measures, the Vietnamese Government has decided to temporarily suspend all entries at border gates and roads along the borders with Laos and Cambodia from April 1,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced today, March 31.
According to the ministry, countries and territories around the world have adopted many strong measures to handle the coronavirus. Many ASEAN countries have restricted immigration at various levels.
Cambodia has denied entry to Vietnamese citizens since March 20. Laos is also denying entry at all international border gates nationwide from March 30 to April 19, according to Tuoi Tre newspaper.
The Vietnamese Ministry of Health reported three coronavirus cases who were Vietnamese citizens returning from Laos and Cambodia on March 23.
The government has restricted immigration in border districts, including Bu Dop, Loc Ninh and Bu Gia Map.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed the embassies of Laos and Cambodia in Vietnam of the closure of the southwestern borders.
“Vietnam expects cooperation from the Lao and Cambodian governments and will continue collaborating with other countries in the region and around the world to control and fight off this dangerous pandemic,” the ministry stated.
