Vietnam to end Covid-19 curbs on international flights from Feb 15

Vietnam has recorded nearly 2.5 million Covid-19 cases since the pandemic began, and around 39,000 deaths. PHOTO: AFP

HANOI (REUTERS) - Vietnam will remove Covid-19 restrictions on international passenger flights with all markets starting from Feb 15, with no limitation on the number of flights, the state-run Tuoi Tre newspaper reported on Sunday (Feb 13).

The South-east Asian country imposed tight border controls at the start of the pandemic to keep out the coronavirus, with some initial success, but that move dealt a blow to its burgeoning tourism sector, which accounted for about 10 per cent of Vietnam's gross domestic product.

"Vietnam will lift restrictions on international flights starting Feb 15. The frequency of flights will be restored to pre-pandemic level," said Tuoi Tre, citing Mr Dinh Viet Son, deputy director of the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam.

Vietnam has already informed its partners about the new policy and only China has not yet agreed to resume commercial flights with Vietnam, Mr Son was quoted as saying.

Vietnam began gradually resuming international flights with 15 markets from the beginning of this year while easing quarantine requirements, with vaccinated passengers now needing only three days of self-isolation.

The South-east Asian country has recorded nearly 2.5 million Covid-19 cases since the pandemic began, and around 39,000 deaths.

Nearly 98 per cent of its 98 million people have received at least two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, official data showed.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.