The Ministry of Health: Detailed Guide to the COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control for foreigners entering Vietnam to work for a short time (less than 14 days) 

   Issued together with Official Dispatch No. 4674 / B YT-MT dated August 31, 2020

       I. PURPOSE 

       Proactively preventing and combating COVID-19 epidemic in the process of foreigners entering Vietnam to work short-term for less than 14 days (hereinafter referred to as short-term working). 

       II. SUBJECTS OF APPLICATION 

       1. Foreigners who come to Vietnam to work for a short time include:  

       – Investors, experts, skilled workers, business managers with their relatives and entities as agreed with each country (hereinafter referred to as experts);   

       – Guests enter for diplomatic and official purposes. 

       2. Those who contact professionals and visitors for entry with purpose 

diplomacy and public service during the process of entering and working in Vietnam. 

         III. GENERAL PRINCIPLES 

       – Ministries, branches and provincial / city People’s Committees consider the need to invite experts and guests to enter Vietnam for short-term work and to ensure COVID prevention and control. -19. 

        – Not having concentrated medical isolation for 14 days, but must strictly and fully comply with regulations on prevention and control of COVID-19 epidemics, ensuring safety for experts and visitors entering for diplomatic and public purposes. cases and contacts, to prevent cross-contamination in the working process and not to infect the community.  

       – Those who come into contact with experts and visitors entering for diplomatic and official purposes must perform self-monitoring, when one of the manifestations: fever, cough, sore throat or difficulty breathing, report to local health and regulatory authorities. 

       – Accommodation for experts and guests entering for diplomatic and official purposes must comply with the provisions of Decision No. 878 / QD-BYT of the Ministry of Health dated 12/3/2020 promulgating “Guides medical isolation in isolated centralized epidemic prevention and control establishments COVID-19 ”or Decision No. 1246 / QD-BYT of the Ministry of Health dated 20/3/2020 issued“ Guidance on temporary medical isolation in practice in the hotel in the prevention and control of COVID-19 epidemic voluntarily paid by the isolated person ”. Absolutely not to cross-contamination at the property and infect the community. 

       – Experts and visitors entering for diplomatic and official purposes must have 

International health insurance or agencies or organizations that invite experts and visitors to enter the country for the purpose of diplomacy or public service to commit to pay treatment costs in case of COVID-19. Experts must enter 1 day before the scheduled working time to implement the provisions related to medical supervision; 

        – All expenses for isolation, vehicles, and testing for COVID-19 are covered by the unit or organization inviting experts. For guests entering with the purpose of diplomacy or public service, they will be free of charge (except for the cost of isolation at the hotel as desired). 

        – After 14 days from the date of entry, if the expert and visitor enter for diplomatic purposes, the official still needs to stay in Vietnam to work and the negative SARS-CoV-2 result is allowed to work. Normally, no isolation is required. 

        IV. REQUIREMENTS FOR PREVENTION AND FIGHTING COVID-19 

        4.1. For professionals who are on entry 

        4.1.1. Before entry 

        – Develop specific work plans, accommodation locations, means of transportation and isolation for experts, plans to ensure safety against COVID-19 in the working process of experts and people. contact.  

        – For immigration experts who only participate in meetings, sign contracts, agreements, and cooperate, priority is given to selecting meeting venues, signing and staying in provinces, cities with or near the gates. Export and entry in order to limit experts from going inland and moving to many localities cannot ensure measures to prevent and control COVID-19 epidemics. 

        – Experts must be tested for SARS-CoV-2 by Real time-PCR technique 3-5 days prior to the date of entry into Vietnam and test negative for SARS-CoV-2. The SARS-CoV-2 test must be done at the laboratory of the authorized medical authority.  

        4.1.2. At the place of entry and exit 

        – Streamline organization to welcome entry and exit experts: separate streams, not contact with other subjects. 

        – Experts must present negative test results for SARS-CoV-2 upon entry. 

        – Guide, inspect and supervise the electronic medical declaration for all experts, measure body temperature, screen to detect suspected cases. When one of the manifestations of fever, cough, sore throat, or breathing difficulty is detected, medical isolation should be organized immediately and should be treated as if the disease is suspected.  

        – Ask experts to use Bluezone applications while in Vietnam. 

      – Organize the transportation of accommodation experts according to the instructions in Section 6, Part IV. 

        4.1.3. At the accommodation 

        – Arrange separate accommodation for experts at the accommodation (hotel, accommodation arranged by the enterprise, other accommodation establishment) arranged by the People’s Committee of the province; ensure medical supervision, not contact with the community. It is best to arrange for all members of the expert team in one place for convenient monitoring and management. 

        – Set up a separate sampling room / area for SARS-COV-2 at the property to collect samples for all specialists. Requires the sampling room / area to be located in a separate, accessible location. Where it is not possible to arrange a separate sampling room / area, sampling can be obtained from the specialist lounge.  

        – Organize sampling and testing of SARS-COV-2 for all experts when arriving at the accommodation using RT-PCR technique. When the test results are negative, consider the decision for a specialist authorized to work locally. Sampling is done every 2 days during the expert’s stay in Vietnam. In case the expert test positive for SARS-CoV-2, follow the instructions in the attached Appendix. 

        – Take samples for testing 01 day before the expert leaves Vietnam to have a plan for quarantine and prevention for objects in contact during working with experts when necessary. 

        4.1.4. At the meeting place, sign it 

        Priority working right at the hotel campus, accommodation. Minimize the exposure. 

        a) Before the meeting, sign it 

        – Make a list of meeting attendees, sign (experts and people in contact with experts) with full information including: full name, date of birth, nationality, address of work, place Residence / residence and contact phone number, E-mail address. 

        – Arrange temperature measuring points for all delegates attending the meeting and signing (preferably, an automatic temperature measuring machine is arranged at the entrance of the meeting and signing venue). 

        – Arrange hand washing point with soap and clean water or hand sanitizer solution in meeting rooms, signing, public areas of the meeting place, sign and place mask for delegates to attend the meeting, sign conclusion. 

        – Arrange signs or notices to inform, guide and remind delegates to comply with regulations on prevention and control of COVID-19 (such as wearing a mask, washing hands, keeping a minimum distance according to regulations. with people around …). 

        – The meeting room, hall, the venue for the meeting or signing should be well ventilated, hygienic and disinfected according to the instructions in the attached Appendix.  

        – Arranging separate areas and seating positions for experts according to each country. Place nameplates and advance notice of seating positions so that experts can actively take the position.  

        – Arrange meeting rooms, sign the contingency to replace when the meeting room, the main signing must be isolated to prevent and fight epidemics. Arrange meeting rooms, signatories exclusively online for experts in case of need.   

        – Arrange working areas for the medical department to serve at the meeting place, sign in accordance with regulations. 

        – Arrange isolation rooms at the meeting place, sign to isolate participants who have one of the manifestations of fatigue, fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath while attending the meeting or signing. Isolation rooms must satisfy the following requirements:  

        + Arranged in a private area away from meeting rooms, signing, public places of meeting and signing places. Arrange a private path to the isolation room. 

        + Airy, well ventilated; restrict furniture in the room; having a mask, a place for hand washing with soap and clean water or a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol (hereinafter referred to as hand sanitizer); have garbage cans with tight lids; has a separate toilet area. 

        – Develop and print notices guiding regulations on prevention and control of COVID-19 epidemic to distribute to delegates attending the meeting and signing. Announcement in Vietnamese and English. If the meeting is a bilateral agreement, it can be in the language of the country participating in the meeting or signing. 

        – Requesting not to arrange meeting attendants, signing one of the manifestations of fatigue, cough, fever, sore throat, difficulty breathing in performing the task.  

        b) During the meeting, signing 

        – Pick up experts from the accommodation to the meeting location, and sign in as instructed in Section 6, Part IV. 

        – Make a list of all the delegates, the Organizing Committee, the attendants, reporters, the press attending the meeting, sign or at the meeting rooms, sign for convenient traceability when needed. 

        – Check body temperature, distribute masks to delegates before entering the meeting, signing. 

        – Distribute notices guiding regulations on prevention and control of COVID-19 epidemic to the delegates. 

        – Encourage not taking concentrated breaks between hours; should take a break, rest in place. Arrange for on-site refreshments and drinks for each delegate at the pre-arranged location. 

        – Meals during the meeting and signing process: Priority is given to on-the-spot meals with individual meals and meals. If eating together, ensure the distance between the delegates is at least 1m; Staggered sitting layout, not sitting opposite.  

        – The attendant must wear a mask and gloves during the mission. Make and keep a list and contacts of all attendants at the meeting, sign it (to facilitate tracing when needed).  

        – Perform cleaning and disinfection of the meeting place, sign according to instructions in the attached Appendix.  

        – Organize the inspection and supervision of the implementation of regulations on prevention and control of COVID-19 epidemics at the meeting and signing place. 

        – Monitoring the health situation, the test results of SARS-CoV-2 by experts. 

        c) After the meeting, sign it 

        All participants attending the meeting, signing (including international and domestic delegates), members of the Organizing Committee and other people concerned continue to self-monitor after the meeting ends. meeting, signing. If someone is determined to have COVID-19 within 14 days of closing the meeting or signing it:  

        – Notify local health and regulatory authorities for national delegates and those in contact with experts. 

        – Notify the agency or organization that invites experts to the expert so that such agency or organization will notify the local health care provider for timely handling measures. 

        4.1.5. At work, go to the field 

        – Transport experts to the field, to the workplace as instructed in Section 6, Part IV. 

        – Arrange hand sanitizer solution at convenient locations of working and field sites. 

       – Minimize the number of people meeting and contacting experts at work, going on field trips. Experts have to wear masks during their time working, going on field trips. Limit shaking hands, often wash hands with hand sanitizer. 

        – Ask those who meet and contact experts to wear a mask, wash their hands often with soap and clean water or hand sanitizer. Make a list of all the people who have contact with experts in the process of working, going on field trips to facilitate tracing when needed.  

        – Arrange medical staff to support, monitor and supervise health care professionals during work and field visits. 

        – Arranging dedicated toilets for experts working, going on field. 

        – At the end of the work or field trip: Carry out the cleaning and disinfection of the working location and the field site as guided in the attached Appendix. 

        4.1.6. Ensure specialist transportation 

        Organize the transportation of experts from entry to accommodation and during their stay in Vietnam by private means that meet the following requirements: 

        – Requires drivers, experts to wear masks during the journey.  

        – Arrange hand sanitizer solution on car near the door so that experts disinfect hands before getting in the car and during transportation. 

        – Carry out the cleaning and disinfection of the expert shuttle according to the instructions in the attached Appendix.  

        4.2. For guests entering for diplomatic or official purposes 

        The requirements for COVID-19 epidemic prevention are essentially the same as for the specialist.  

        – For VIP guests from the deputy minister level or equivalent or higher: not required to have a negative certificate for SARS-CoV-2 upon entry; not install, use Bluezone app and do not have to test for SARS-CoV-2 after entry. 

        V. ASSOCIATION OF IMPLEMENTATION 

        1. Ministries / branches 

        – Inform and guide affiliated agencies and organizations wishing to invite experts and visitors to enter diplomatic and official purposes to implement the contents specified in this guide.  

        – Inspecting, monitoring and evaluating the implementation of COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control during the time when experts and visitors enter for the purpose of diplomacy and official stay in Vietnam.  

        – Report to the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control on the implementation situation when problems arise. 

        2. Provincial People’s Committee 

        – Inform and guide agencies and organizations located in the provinces or centrally-run cities wishing to invite experts and visitors to enter for diplomatic and official purposes to perform the prescribed contents. at this tutorial.  

        – Arrange separate residence and working places, ensure medical supervision, not contact the community. Approve the plan, means of transportation, isolation, and safety plan for COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control during the working process of experts and visitors for diplomatic purposes, public services and contacts. 

        – Assign the Department of Health of the province or city to be the focal point responsible for: medical monitoring and supervision, handling cases of or suspected COVID-19 and guiding environmental sanitation and disinfection in time. experts and visitors entering for diplomatic and official purposes staying in Vietnam; arrange a department / person responsible for medical monitoring and supervision at the residence, meeting, signing, workplace, field site; Prepare facilities for treatment of COVID-19 cases. 

        – Inspecting, monitoring and evaluating the implementation of COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control during the time when experts and visitors enter for the purpose of diplomacy and official stay in Vietnam.  

        – Report to the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control on the implementation situation when problems arise. 

       3. Inviting agency or organization  

        – Develop an entry plan, transportation, accommodation, meeting place, signing, workplace, and specific field locations for experts and visitors to enter for diplomatic, official purposes, plans ensure safety in the working process of professionals and visitors entering with the purpose of diplomacy, public service and those in contact.  

        – Information and guidance on regulations on epidemic prevention and control COVID-19 in this guide and other relevant regulations of the Government of Vietnam. 

        – Comply with the contents specified in this guide. 

        – Report the implementation situation to the People’s Committee of the province / ministry or branch. 

        4. For professionals and visitors entering for diplomatic and official purposes  

        – Fully implement electronic medical declaration upon entry. Use the Bluezone app during your stay in Vietnam (except for VIPs from the Deputy Minister’s level or equivalent). 

        – Comply with all instructions and regulations on COVID epidemic prevention and control in this guide and the regulations of the Government of Vietnam.  

        – Daily self-monitoring of health, when there is one manifestation of fever, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, immediately notify the agency or organization inviting experts / visitors to enter for diplomatic and official purposes. and health agencies. 

        – Fully implement personal hygiene measures including:  

       Wash your hands often with soap and clean water or hand sanitizer, especially before entering the meeting room, before and after eating and drinking. 

       Limit shaking hands with others. 

       + Do not share personal items such as cups, water bottles, handkerchiefs … 

        – Do not leave the property. Implement meeting schedules, signing, working, and going on field trips according to previously announced plans.  

        5. For people in close contact with experts and visitors entering with diplomatic and official purposes during their stay in Vietnam. 

        5.1. Must be reported to health authorities to get the information. 

        5.2. During the process of contacting and working with experts and guests on entry for diplomatic and official purposes: wearing a mask, washing hands, ensuring separation and properly implementing COVID-19 epidemic prevention, self health monitoring. 

        5.3. After stopping contact, working with experts and visitors for diplomatic purposes, public service, need to self-monitor health, still be able to work normally, limit contact with the community within 14 days. from the last contact. 

         5.4. If there are symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath and need to be isolated at the property, notify the local health authority or the Ministry of Health for consultation and examination according to regulations of National Steering Committee for epidemic prevention and control COVID-19 and Ministry of Health. 

         6. Unit managing meeting venues, signing, working places, field sites 

  Develop detailed plans, assign specific tools to affiliated units and related individuals to prepare facilities, human resources, equipment and coordinate with relevant agencies to organize the implementation. present contents as instructed in Part IV to ensure activities of COVID-19./ epidemic prevention and control. 

                                          APPENDIX 

        1. Management when an expert or someone in close contact with an expert (hereinafter referred to as the case) develops or suspects to have COVID-19 during the expert’s stay in Vietnam 

        1.1. In the case of one of the manifestations of fatigue, fever, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing 

        – Notify the department / staff responsible for medical supervision at the accommodation / meeting / signing / work / during field visits. Call the hotline of the Department of Health or the Ministry of Health (phone number 1900 3228 or 1900 9095) or the local health authority for advice and if needed, seek medical advice. and treatment. 

        – Put people with symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath into a temporary isolation room and handle as if suspected cases of COVID-19 as prescribed. 

        – Provide medical masks and instructions to wear properly.  

        – Limit contact with people around. 

        1.2. When there is confirmed case of COVID-19 

        When the expert’s test results are positive for SARS-CoV-2 during the expert’s stay in Vietnam, it is necessary to:  

        – Immediately notify the local health authority to implement isolation flow for treatment and treatment according to the regulations of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control and the Ministry of Health. 

        – Conduct disinfection and environmental treatment at the place of stay, meeting, signing, 

work, go to field according to the instructions in the attached Appendix. 

        2. Disinfection and environmental treatment 

       2.1. Specialist sterilization of transport vehicles 

        – After each transportation of experts, the vehicle should be cleaned and disinfected as follows: 

Use a towel to absorb common detergents such as (i) multi-purpose cleaning spray bottle, or (ii) disinfectant solutions containing 0.05% active chlorine (ensure contact time on the surface 10 minutes) or 0.1% active chlorine (ensure surface contact time is 1 minute), or (iii) 70% alcohol to wipe the surfaces to be wiped in principle from clean to dirty areas, from inside to outside, from top to bottom. The quarantine time after sterilization is at least 30 minutes. Note if the surface to be disinfected is dirty, clean the surface with soap and clean water before disinfection. 

        – Surface disinfection cleaning positions: Frequent contact positions such as car door handles, seats, windows, handles or handrails on the vehicle, the floor, the car air conditioner and the regular positions other exposure. 

        – Increase ventilation on the transport vehicle by increasing ventilation 

wind or open windows, use fans or other suitable solutions. Regularly clean the ventilation, fan and air-conditioning systems. 

        – Arrange enough garbage bags and carry out daily collection and treatment according to regulations. 

        2.2. Disinfect, handle meeting venue environment, sign 

        a) Carry out daily cleaning and disinfection at the meeting place, sign and / or meeting rooms, sign as follows: 

        – Wipe the disinfection with (i) multi-purpose cleaning spray bottle, or (ii) disinfectant solutions containing 0.05% active chlorine (ensure contact time on surface is 10 minutes) or 0 , 1% active chlorine (ensure surface contact time is 01 minute), or (iii) 70% alcohol. Only mix enough solution for the day. Use 70% alcohol to clean electronic equipment surfaces that are susceptible to chemical corrosion or have small cross-sections. The quarantine time after sterilization is at least 30 minutes. 

        – Prioritize disinfection by washing and let dry naturally. Dirty surfaces should be cleaned with soap or detergent solution and water before disinfection.  

        – Use rubber gloves, masks, and protective clothing when performing cleaning and disinfection. 

        – Places to be disinfected: meeting room, signing, canteen, elevator, waiting room, shared toilet area, dining room or dining room (if used) and other shared areas. 

        – Frequency of cleaning and disinfection: 

        + For the floor, walls, objects in the meeting room, sign the available surfaces 

Contact: Sterilize at least 01 time / day. 

        + For frequently exposed positions such as elevator buttons, handles 

doors, meeting tables, delegate seats (especially armchairs, side panels), microphone, shared computer keyboard, control buttons, handrails, common restroom and positions Frequent other contact: Disinfection at least 02 times / day.  

        b) Increase ventilation at meeting rooms, meeting venues, hallways, lounges, elevators by increasing ventilation or opening doors and windows, using fans or other suitable solutions. 

        c) Waste treatment: Arrange enough garbage cans with plastic bags and lids, placed in a convenient place. Waste must be collected and treated every day according to regulations. 

        2.3. Disinfection and treatment of the workplace environment, field locations 

        – Carry out disinfection and environmental treatment after the experts leave the workplace, the field site according to the instructions in the attached Appendix. 

        2.4. Disinfect and treat the environment when someone is determined to have COVID-19 

        Follow the instructions in Official Dispatch No. 1560 / BYT-MT dated 25/3/2020 

The Ministry of Health’s guidance on temporary instructions for disinfection and environmental remediation in areas where COVID-19 patients are present in the community or other instructions of the National Steering Committee or the Ministry of Health if any and note The following contents for disinfection of COVID-19 patients’ meeting, signing, workplace, and field locations 

        a) Areas to be disinfected 

        It is necessary to clean and disinfect all places where delegates with COVID-19 are present and in contact, including: 

        – At the meeting place, sign: All meeting rooms, reception rooms (if any); hallways, common paths leading to meeting rooms, elevators, lounges, toilets, and other shared areas of meeting and signing sites in which delegates with COVID-19 are present or in contact. 

       – At residence: Room of delegate with COVID-19; outside walls of residential rooms, corridors, common paths leading to delegate rooms, stairs, elevators, lounges, toilets and other shared areas of accommodation. 

        – Vehicle transporting delegates with COVID-19: Clean and disinfect all contact surfaces such as door handles, seats, windows, handles or handrails on the vehicle, floor and regular positions. other exposure. 

        b) Principle of sterilization 

        – Priority disinfection by wiping. Dirty surfaces must be cleaned with soap and clean water before disinfection. 

        – Chemical, disinfectant solution: Use a disinfectant solution containing 0.1% 

Active chlorine is available for disinfection cleaning. Only mix enough disinfectant solution for the day. Use 70% alcohol to clean electronic equipment surfaces that are susceptible to chemical corrosion or have small cross-sections. 

        – The isolation time after sterilization is at least 30 minutes. 

        Use the full range of personal protective equipment prescribed when performing cleaning and disinfection. 

        c) Measures for sanitation, disinfection and environmental treatment:  

        – Take measures to clean and disinfect at meeting venues, accommodation, and means of transport of delegates infected with COVID-19 under the guidance in Official Dispatch No. 1560 / BYT-MT dated March 25, 2020 of the Ministry Medical. 

        – Food and drink containers; Fabrics at the meeting places (such as tablecloths) and rooms of delegates with COVID-19 should be collected and disposed of according to the guidance of the Ministry of Health. 

         – All waste generated in meeting rooms, rooms, and vehicles of delegates infected with COVID-19 must be collected and treated as infectious waste. 

Garbage is collected in a yellow bag, tied to the top of the bag and put in another yellow bag, continuing to tie the top of the bag. All yellow bags must be labeled “SARS-CoV-2 RISK WASTE” and be disposed of according to regulations.  

Ministry of Health