VN repatriates over 100 nationals from Indonesia

Their flight landed at the Can Tho International Airport on April 26 and all passengers and the crew members underwent health checks before being taken to quarantine facility on the same day, the ministry said.

The passengers include children aged 18 and below, senior citizens, and students without residence visa after their dormitories were shutdown due to the virus in Indonesia, as well as those with expired visas.

Indonesia is currently the second largest COVID-19 epicenter in Southeast Asia, after Singapore. The country has reported nearly 8,900 infection cases, including 743 deaths.

As the pressure on isolation facilities in Viet Nam eases, the Government is planning to repatriate Vietnamese abroad who wish to return home.

The country has brought home nearly 5,300 citizens from pandemic-hit areas since early February.

Since mid-April, Viet Nam has worked with many countries like the United Kingdom, Italy and Japan to organize flights to bring Vietnamese home after countries suspended commercial routes as a safety and containment measure.

From March 22, Viet Nam suspended entry to all foreign nationals, including those of Vietnamese origin and family members with visa waivers. Only foreigners having diplomatic and official passports or business managers, experts and high-skilled workers are allowed to enter the country at this time, and all entrants shall be quarantined for 14 days./.

By Kim Anh