Provinces tighten control along border after Cambodia records first Omicron variant case
Border provinces in the Mekong Delta have tightened pandemic prevention measures along the border with Cambodia which has recorded its first case of new Omicron coronavirus variant.
Customs officers in An Giang province have increased inspections of import and export activities and transport of goods at the border. (Photo: VNA)
Long An (VNS/VNA) - Border provinces in the Mekong Deltahave tightened pandemic prevention measures along theborder with Cambodia which has recorded its first case of newOmicron coronavirus variant.
Omicronis being rapidly transmitted in South Africa and has alreadybeen found in dozens of countries worldwide, according to the WorldHealth Organisation (WHO). The likelihood of further spreadof the new variant at the global level is very high.
Colonel Doan VanAn, who is Political Commissar of the Border Guard Command in Long An Province,told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper thatthe province is tightening pandemic control along its 133km-longborder with Cambodia.
Besides 12border guard stations, the province has 36 pandemic checkpoints, sixmobile patrol teams, four working groups and three mobileworking groups.
He called onall border guards to uphold the spirit of protecting the borderto prevent the spread of the new coronavirus variant.
"We musthave frequent patrols to prevent both illegal entry andsmuggling. Above all, people crossing the border shouldnot create disease transmission risks,” he said.
All borderguard stations are regularly providing news updates and informingthe public about pandemic preventive measures.
Pham Thien Nghia,Chairman of the People’s Committee of Dong Thap province, saidlocal forces have increased patrols along the 50km-long border withCambodia.
“The forcesare required to conduct regular patrols in the border areas, especially atnight,” he said.
Le Van Phuoc, ViceChairman of the People’s Committee of An Giang province, saidpandemic control and prevention measures havebeen strengthened at the border. Local border guards in collaborationwith the police and military forces are providing stricter control andmanagement at border areas, roads, trails and openings.
Tradeactivities through the province's two international border gates arebeing strictly controlled.
Ha Van Phuc, Directorof Kien Giang province’s Department of Health, said theprovince has tightened control and the tracing of peopleat entry sites to prevent the spread of the coronavirusacross the border.
Peoplereturning from Cambodia can choose to be quarantined athome, hotels or concentrated quarantine facilities./.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 10 requested increased vigilance as the COVID-19 pandemic continues developing complicatedly, with the appearance of the new and more contagious variant Omicron in many countries around the world.
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Customs officers in An Giang province have increased inspections of import and export activities and transport of goods at the border. (Photo: VNA) 
