Quang Ninh allows foreign cruise ships to dock amid COVID-19 outbreak

This is part of the locality’s latest regulations on arrivals of foreign ships released Friday amid fear of the COVID-19 epidemic spread.

The local authorities also ordered disinfection of the cruise ships docking at the locality’s ports and health declaration shall be applied to all crew members and passengers.

For cruise ships that do not visit ports in COVID-19 affected areas, ship operators or travel companies shall have to provide detailed information on journeys and list of crew members and passengers to the local competent agencies at least 10 day before arrival.

The local Department of Health shall be responsible for coordinating with relevant authorities to assess epidemic risks before making decision on whether crew members and passengers are allowed to go onshore for tours.

In case crew members and passengers are allowed to go onshore, the Department of Health shall have to conduct procedures on international health quarantine, according to the regulations.

After concluding tours, ship operators, travel companies shall have to provide information about crew members, passengers, tour guides, drivers and others taking part in the tours for competent authorities to monitor for 14 days since the departure date of cruise ships.

Earlier, Quang Ninh refused Italian vessel Aida Vita to dock in UNESCO world heritage Ha Long Bay due to fears of the virus spread.

The locality was reprimanded by Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

Warning other localities not to repeat this act, he said while they need to strictly implement immigration and quarantine procedures with respect to foreign visitors and vehicles coming from epidemic-affected areas, they must ensure these do not affect tourism and business activities.

By Thuy Dung