People in Thailand wear face masks to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamesecitizens in Laos and Thailand should stay calm and limit going out andreturning home at this time as the COVID-19 is developing complicatedly.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Laos said thehost government is working out all possible measures to prevent the spread ofthe coronavirus.
According to the embassy,a large nubmer of Lao workers in Thailand have flocked home in recent days toavoid the pandemic, and the figure is expected to increase in the time ahead.Despite this, the overseas Vietnamese community should not be panic but stay athome, minimise social interactions, and follow preventive measures of theMinistry of Health and regulations of the host country.
The embassy recommendedVietnamese citizens in Laos reduce movement and home-returning trips at thistime because there is a high risk of infections on public means of transportand the medical capacity at home in terms of testing, quarantine,infrastructure, and equipment is limited.
Vietnamese expatriates should continue keeping a close watch onthe situation and sharing information in their living and working areas for Laoauthorities without spreading fake news to cause social panic.
They could contact the Vietnamese Embassyin Laos via hotlines 85620 96106775 or 8562092546868; call 85620 91112345 to the Vietnamese consulate general in LuangPrabang, 8562098362929 to the Vietnamese consulate general in Pakse, and85620 98208666 to the Vietnamese consulate general in Savannakhet toupdate information and receive guidance and emergency support.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand also advisedVietnamese citizens to stay calm and conduct self-quarantine and measures againstCOVID-19 right after the host government announced to declare a state ofemergency on March 26.
In its notice on March25, the embassy recommended Vietnamese citizens keep a close watch on thesituation, actively cooperate with local authorities and strictly abide bylocal emergency preventive measures.
The embassy asked Vietnamese citizens to stop travelling toThailand-Laos border gates to seek ways to return home because this actionviolates Thailand’s law on the state of emergency. On the other hand, thebilateral border gates would be closed at any time.
As of March 24, the embassy received nearly 500online registrations of citizens asking support to return home. However, due tothe overload in quarantine areas, the embassy will temporarily close theregistration link.
At present, the embassy is actively coordinating with Thailand’srelevant agencies to facilitate the extension of visas for Vietnamese citizenswho cannot leave the country due to COVID-19.
By March 25, Thailand recorded 107 more cases tested positive for the novelcoronavirus SARS-CoV-2, raising the tally to 934 natinwide, according to the localhealth ministry./.
VNA
