Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam (C) chairs the meeting of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control in Hanoi, September 9, 2020 (Photo: VNA)

Participants looked at the organization of tests to ensure safety at the airports when Vietnam reopens international routes on September 15. Acting Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said there are 3 testing bio-product orientations, including PCR method to detect the SAR-COV-2 virus, which most countries are using. The second type is the antigen test to determine  proteins embedded in the coronavirus's surface. This method is not available in Vietnam. The third is a rapid antibody test. Some Vietnamese businesses are researching other tests. The Ministry of Science and Technology said it will order new bio-products, according to Mr. Long.

Acting Minister Long said that after consulting with a number of countries, the Ministry of Health will issue instructions on quarantine procedure of foreign experts upon their entry into Vietnam. He added, “if the quarantine runs for 14 days, only 2 tests should be done on day 1 and day 14, using the RT PCR test method. By doing so, we still meet the requirements.”

The National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control said that on Wednesday Vietnam reported 5 COVID-19 patients, who entered the country from Ukraine.  They are now quarantined in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.

On Wednesday, 21 patients were declared cured. To date, Vietnam has cured 890 of the total 1,059 COVID-19 patients, 35 people have died.