Hanoi (VNA) – Adjustments to Vietnam’s entry regulations amidthe rapid and complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic are based onthe principle of non-discrimination, said spokesperson of the Ministry ofForeign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang on March 20.

Shesaid that in the context of the outbreak, many countries and territories,including member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN),have put restrictive measures in place at different levels for the entry offoreigners.

Vietnam’s recent measures arebased on the development of the pandemic and in accordance with the provisionsof International Health Regulutions. They are being carried out on theprinciple of non-discrimination, she affirmed.

Compulsoryhealth monitoring and quarantine measures are applied to both Vietnamese and foreigners with the primary goalof ensuring the safety and health of Vietnamesecitizens and overseas visitors in Vietnam, as well as preventing and curbingthe spread of the pandemic in the community, the spokesperson said.

Vietnam highly appreciates andhopes to receive more understanding, sharing and cooperation from othercountries and territories in implementing these decisions.

The country will continue keeping a close watch on the situationto promptly make appropriate adjustments, Hang said.

While answering reporters’ queries about whether there is discriminationof foreigners during COVID-19, the spokesperson stressed that the country’sministries and localities have taken measures according to the government’sdirections to prevent the pandemic effectively as well as ensuring the safetyand health of Vietnameseand foreign citizens in Vietnam.

In a humanitarian spirit, the Vietnamesegovernment has instructed care and support to ensure both locals and foreignershave normal and safe daily life and receive medical monitoring, care andtreatment when necessary. Those actions have been highly appreciated by foreigncitizens, authorities of other countries and the international community.

Vietnam thanked other countriesand territories for their close coordination and regular updates on thesituation of Vietnamesecitizens overseas as well as for helping them to address difficulties caused bythe pandemic and offering active treatment for infected cases.

Vietnam hopes that a humanitarian,fair and non-discriminatory spirit will be upheld and spread throughout theworld so that citizens of all countries and territories are ensured security,safety, and good health care, the spokesperson said.

She added that Vietnambelieves that with the joint efforts of the international community, theCOVID-19 pandemic will soon be repelled./.