HCMC tightens control over illegal immigration due to fear of imported Covid-19 infections

A medical worker is injected with the Covid-19 vaccine at the HCMC Hospital for Tropical Diseases. HCMC is tightening Covid-19 preventive measures after the number of new Covid-19 cases surged in Cambodia – PHOTO: MINISTRY OF HEALTH

According to Phong, Cambodia, which shares its border with Vietnam, and Thailand reported 477 and nearly 800 new Covid-19 cases, respectively, on April 10. Due to the complicated situation in Cambodia, many Vietnamese citizens living there are trying to return to Vietnam.

The city’s leader asked the authorities at all levels to tighten control over immigration. The HCMC police will collaborate with the military to ensure safety for the reception, transport and quarantine of people that illegally enter the city.

Phong also asked the district-level governments to work with related departments and agencies to draw up detailed plans for Covid-19 vaccination.

“Although HCMC receives the largest number of Covid-19 vaccine doses in the country, this is still not enough for the city’s population. The risk of Covid-19 outbreaks remains high, so the city has to be well prepared for the worst-case scenarios,” he said. 

Addressing the meeting, director of the HCMC Department of Health Nguyen Tan Binh said up to now, the city has reported 227 Covid-19 cases, including 68 domestic infections, 155 imported cases and four cross-transmissions at Vietnam Airlines’ quarantine zone. To date, 216 of them have made a full recovery, while 11 others are still undergoing treatment.

As of April 10, HCMC had given the Covid-19 vaccine to more than 7,500 health workers at 65 hospitals and medical centers. Some of them suffered from slight allergic reactions but have recovered after treatment. Over 1,000 frontline police officers have also been injected with the Covid-19 vaccine.

According to the HCMC Department of Health, the city will receive 1,600 Covid-19 vaccine doses from now until April 16. These doses will be prioritized for employees of hotels that serve as quarantine centers.

In addition, the city will receive an additional 56,200 Covid-19 vaccine doses from the Ministry of Health, which will be prioritized for medical workers, airport staff, frontline workers and employees at agencies that have contact with a large number of people.

Source: thesaigontimes.vn
Collected by My Nguyen