The Ministry of Health has just proposed to local authorities to suspend flights to some African countries to prevent the new Covid-19 Omicron variant.
At a meeting held on Sunday evening, the ministry said that Vietnam had not reported any Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant infections that had been announced by the WHO to have been found in some southern African countries
At the meeting, the ministry proposed concerned agencies to consider suspending flights from African countries including South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Lesotho, and Mozambique.
"Passengers coming from these countries should also be prevented from entering Vietnam," the ministry proposed.
The Ministry of Health said that they would closely co-operate with WHO and other agencies and organisations to study the new variants of SARS-CoV-2 virus in order to map out suitable preventive measures.
Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia Region has warned the South-East Asia Region to take extra precautions to curb the spread of the virus due to concern over the highly infectious Omicron Coronavirus variant.
"Though Covid-19 cases have been declining in most countries of our region, the surge in cases elsewhere in the world and confirmation of a new variant of concern is a reminder of the persisting risk and the need for us to continue to do our best to protect against the virus and prevent its spread. At no cost should we let our guard down," Dr Poonam said in a statement released on November 27.
Health ministry proposes suspending Africa flights to prevent new Covid variant
The Ministry of Health has just proposed to local authorities to suspend flights to some African countries to prevent the new Covid-19 Omicron variant.
Source: dtinews.vn
